Beginning on November 15 and lasting through December 24, the observance is a combination of fasting interspersed with special feast days.

The contemporary name given to Sinterklaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas) horse in the Netherland’s. Each year in mid November Saint Nicholas arrives in Amsterdam Harbor with great fanfare by Spanish ship. Upon disembarking from the vessel, the Mayor of Amsterdam welcomes Sinterklass who is accompanied by multiple helpers. Sinterklass then mounts his white horse, Amerigo, and greets the tens of thousands of excited children awaiting his appearance along his parade route. The parade continues through the streets of the city until the Patron Saint of Children arrives at Leidse Square. Saint Nicholas is occasionally known to appear on horseback in Belgium, Germany and Poland.

Saint Nicholas was among the 318 bishops of the church who participated at the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.). Long tradition recalls that, during one emotional charged moment during Arius‘ oral rejection of Christ’s full divinity, the future Saint of Myra became so infuriated by the blasphemy that he slapped the heterodox theologian across the face.

The prominent land mass where Saint Nicholas lived out his life, now constitutes a major portion of modern Turkey. The region is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. His birthplace of Patara and Myra (where he served as Bishop) were both seaport towns. These places were contended among Saint Paul’s missionary journeys.

These represent the three bags (rounded purses) filled with gold used by Saint Nicholas to deliver a widower and his three grown daughters from dire poverty. The pawnbrokers symbolic three gold balls recall this act of compassion. Not surprisingly, Saint Nicholas is considered the Patron Saint of Pawnbrokers.

A Seaport city located in the southeast region of Italy (at the heel of the “boot”). Each year, the Feast of the Translation of the Holy relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra to Bari (1087AD), Italy is celebrated with great fanfare on May 9. The bones of the Patron Saint of Children have continually rested in that Basilica, since they were interred in the then newly completed shrine on October 1, 1089.

It is situated about 5 miles south of the city of Jerusalem. Scripture identifies Bethlehem as the City of David, and the location where he was crowned Israel’s King. Although this little town has one of the world’s oldest Christian inhabitants, in recent decades their numbers have dramatically dwindled due to an increasingly unstable political climate. The town of Christ’s birth means, in Hebrew, “House of Bread.“ “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world“ (John 6:51).

The first among the three clerical states of bishop, priest and deacon. A bishop has within his office the fullness of the ministerial  priesthood, and is considered a successor to the apostles by virtue of Apostolic Succession. His principal task, as chief shepherd of his diocese, is to safeguard the deposit of the Faith against doctrinal error. 

Long associated with the North American Santa Claus, candy canes are a remnant of the bishop’s staff of Dutch Sinterklass (St. Nicholas) who’s saintly image, overtime, became secularized into a “right jolly old elf.”

The earliest account from the life of Saint Nicholas recalls a nighttime visit during which he delivered a man and his three grown daughters from grinding poverty by throwing three bags of gold coins through their window. As a result, dutch children often receive chocolate gold foil coins when Sinterklass (Saint Nicholas) delivers small gifts and treats on December 5th, Sinterklass Eve.

The Spirit of Christmas is commonly associated with Saint Nicholas, however, Christians recognize that the Spirit of Christmas is actually the Third Member of the Trinity; the Holy Spirit. Because a humble maiden in Nazareth was open to the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us“(John 1:14); a reality that was proclaimed by “a multitude of the heavenly host” all. 2:13) on that first Christmas.

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Comment: Faith-filled “Saint Nicholases and “Santa Clauses” should recognize that we too must be open to the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, in order that God may take on a human nature within each of us who have been “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27) at Baptism: “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12). May the Self-same Holy Spirit, Who animated the life of the historic figure of Saint Nicholas of Myra, illuminate the hearts of all “St. Nicks” who are also called to reveal the same hope, joy, peace and love to a despairing world: “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven“ (Matthew 5:16)

It is recorded that Saint Nicholas intervened to save three men who were falsely condemned to execution by a corrupt magistrate who accepted a bribe. He bravely walked up to the executioner and grabbed the sword from his hand. The story reveals Saint Nicholas to be a champion on behalf of those suffering from injustice, and discloses a characteristic of the Bishop as a Protector of the Innocent.

Called by Emperor Constantine the Great in 325 A.D., this was the First Ecumenical Council of the ancient church. The council’s primary purpose was to resolve doctrinal confusion over the nature of the Son in his relationship to the Father. A popular priest from Alexandria named, Arius, erroneously taught that Christ was less than God the Father. Followers called Arians taught that since Christ was born in time, “There was a time when he was not.” In their opinion, the Son something like Hercules (half man, half God). The council overwhelmingly rejected Arius’ teachings as false. It is noteworthy that of the 318 bishops who attended the Council of Nicaea (including Saint Nicholas of Myra), only two bishops dissented. Both Arius and the two dissenting hierarchs were banished to Illyria. The impact of this gathering of bishops cannot be overstated. One benefit of the Council of Nicaea is the Nicene Creed, which clearly outlines basic Christian belief. This Creed has continued to be affirmed by Orthodox and Catholic Faithful (as well as many Protestant Christians) right down to our present day.

The modern Turkish town originally named, Myra; where Saint Nicholas served as its bishop.

An area under the direct spiritual care and authority of a local bishop.

These were the names of Saint Nicholas’ parents. Saint Nicholas of Mira‘s parents died attending to those stricken by a widespread epidemic in their hometown of Patara, when Nicholas was still a minor. Subsequently, Nicholas‘s decision to pursue studies for a vocation to priestly ministry was inspired by Matthew 19:12: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.“ Since his father left him a considerable fortune from a very successful textile business, the future cleric chose to disperse his wealth to aid many in his community who suffered from grinding poverty.

During the Middle Ages, French nuns began the tradition of bringing anonymous gifts under the cover of night to needy families and their children on Saint Nicholas Eve (December 5). On the morning of Saint Nicholas Day (December 6), poor families would rise to discover food, clothing, edible treats and modest monetary help were left. When they sought the identity of their benefactor(s), the reply was “It must have been St. Nicholas“. This simple act of kindness, inspired by Saint Nicholas’ nocturnal delivery of three purses (small bags) of gold coins in order to provide dowries, became an annual Saint Nicholas Eve tradition that spread rapidly throughout Christian Europe. Since the beloved Bishop of Myra was the Patron Saint of Children, the recipients of gifts was not limited to the poor, but included good girls and boys. The well-known arrival of the Dutch Sinterklass in the Netherlands traces its origins back to this period.

This is a term used in Christian theology (Greek) that refers to the Word of God, or Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus Christ. “Logos” only appears in New Testament writings attributed to Saint John: Book of Revelation 19:13, Saint John 1:1–14, and in 1 John 1:1.

During the days of the Roman Empire, Lycia was known as Asia Minor. This is the area where Saint Nicholas lived. Today it is now the region of Anatolia, on the southern coast of Turkey.

The seaport city in which Saint Nicholas was it’s Bishop. It is now the modern Turkish town of Kocademre. Around the year 60 A.D. as Saint Paul was ordered to stand trial in Rome, Acts of the Apostles record that he changed ships at Myra’s port: “From there we put out to sea and sailed around the sheltered side of Cyprus because of the headwinds, and crossing the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia we came to Myra in Lycia” (Acts of the Apostles 27:4-5). 

A time of fasting and abstinence observed by Orthodox Christians for the Feast of Christ’s Nativity, December 25th. This period is also referred to as “Phillip’s Fast”, since it begins the day after the Feast of Saint Philip the Apostle (November 14); running from November 15 through December 24th.

The site of the first ecumenical council. Tradition holes that Saint Nicholas was among the 318 bishops present. The fruit of that counsel was the formulation of the Nicene Creed that is recited by Orthodox, Catholics and many Protestant denominations. 

Formulated as a summary of Christian belief at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (AD 325). Saint Nicholas of Myra was present among the 318 bishops who ratified the Nicene Creed. Today, the Creed is recited at Orthodox and Catholic Churches worldwide. Many mainline Protestant Churches also subscribe to the articles of this Creed. 

The name is of Greek origin, meaning: “victor of people.“ 

Saint Nicholas’ birthplace, located in Asia Minor (near the modern town of Gelemis, situated in Antalya Province Turkey). Historically, his anonymous gift-giving originated in this town. According to ancient tradition, the young Nicholas delivered a destitute family out of dire poverty after secretly throwing three bags of gold coins through their window on three consecutive nights. This is the basis for the nighttime deliveries from Saint Nicholas that continues to this very day by Santa Claus.

In conformity with ancient Christian tradition (which views physical death as one’s birth to eternal life), children refer to December 6 as the birthday of Saint Nicholas.  

This 4th. century Bishop of Myra (b. 270-345A.D.) is one of the most beloved Christian figures in history. He was remembered for his compassion for the poor, the marginalized and, in particular, for children. His habit of quietly providing anonymous aid to those in greatest need became legendary, and is the basis for the North American Santa Claus delivering gifts under the cover of night. “Santa Claus” is a corruption of Saint Nicholas’ Dutch name, “Sinterklass.” Saint Nicholas is held with particular reverence among Eastern Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholic, and Byzantine Catholic Christians. Popularly called “the ecumenical saint”, he is also admired by many Anglican and Lutheran Christians.

A Swiss variation on the Saint Nicholas tradition. 

The name for Saint Nicholas in Germany and Austria. 

Dutch word for “saint.” An affectionate informal reference to Sinterklass. Is used in the same way as “Santa”, when referring to our North American Santa Claus. 

Literally, the name for Saint Nicholas in the Netherlands. With the arrival of Dutch settlers in 1621 (who subsequently established New Amsterdam; modern New York City), their tradition of Sinterklass came with them. The name, Sinterklass (Saint Nicholas), was eventually corrupted by English-speaking settlers to become, “Santa Claus”. 

In their rush to steal the bones of Saint Nicholas from his tomb in Myra on April 11, 1087, the sailors from Bari left behind many smaller fragments. Some 13 years later (1100 A.D.), upon learning of this fact, Venetian sailors embarked on a voyage to Myra and confiscated the remaining relics of the revered bishop. This array of bone fragments are now enshrined in the Church of Saint Nicholas on the Lido, Venice, Italy. After a careful inventory of the bones was taken and catalogued, it was discovered that Venice does, indeed, possess skeletal remains that are missing from the authentic saints relics resting in Bari.

A uniquely Eastern Christian designation used to describe the charism of some holy individuals whose prayers to God frequently produced miraculous results.