Saint Nicholas Day: December 6th

Saint Nicholas

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This article is about the 4th-century saint. For other uses, see Saint Nicholas (disambiguation).

"San Nicola" redirects here. For other uses, see San Nicola (disambiguation).

Saint Nicholas
Russian icon depicting St Nicholas with scenes from his life. Late 15th century or early 16th century. National Museum, Stockholm.
Defender of Orthodoxy, Wonderworker, Holy Hierarch, Bishop of Myra
Born	(270-03-15)15 March 270[1] Patara, Roman Empire
Died	6 December 343(343-12-06) (aged 73) Myra, Roman Empire
Venerated in	Anglicanism, Baptist, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Methodism, Reformed
Major shrine	Basilica di San Nicola, Bari, Italy
Feast	6 December [O.S. 19 December] (main feast day – Saint Nicholas Day) 9 May [O.S. 22 May] (translation of relics)[2]
Attributes	Vested as a Bishop. In Eastern Christianity, wearing an omophorion and holding a Gospel Book. Sometimes shown with Jesus Christ over one shoulder, holding a Gospel Book, and with the Theotokos over the other shoulder, holding an omophorion
Patronage	Children, coopers, sailors, fishermen, merchants, broadcasters, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, brewers, pharmacists, archers, pawnbrokers, Aberdeen, Galway, Russia, Greece, Hellenic Navy, Liverpool, Bari, Siggiewi, Moscow, Amsterdam, Lorraine and Duchy of Lorraine.

Saint Nicholas (Greek: Ἅγιος Νικόλαος, Hágios Nikólaos, Latin: Sanctus Nicolaus); (15 March 270 – 6 December 343),^[3][4] also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century Christian saint and Greek^[5] Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor (modern-day Demre, Turkey).^[6] Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker (Νικόλαος ὁ Θαυματουργός, Nikólaos ho Thaumaturgós). His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints,^[7] and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus through Sinterklaas.
The historical Saint Nicholas is commemorated and revered among Anglican,^[8] Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox Christians. In addition, some Baptist,^[9] Methodist,^[10] Presbyterian,^[11] and other Reformed churches have been named in honor of Saint Nicholas.^[12] Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers and students in various cities and countries around Europe.
The historical Saint Nicholas, as known from strict history: He was born at Patara, Lycia in Asia Minor (now Turkey). In his youth he made a pilgrimage to Egypt and the Palestine area. Shortly after his return he became Bishop of Myra and was later cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian. He was released after the accession of Constantine and was present at the Council of Nicaea. In 1087, Italian merchants stole his body from Myra, bringing it to Bari in Italy.^[13][14][15]