Saint Nicholas is
in Cincinnati!
We celebrate Saint Nicholas
feast day, too. Children put out stockings on the night of Dec. 5th and
wake up to gifts from St. Nick in them on the morning of the 6th.
At our school we offer special prayers in honor of St. Nicholas and learn
about his life. There were also candy canes on students' desks when they
arrived at school from St. Nick. All in all it is a fine day that
helps us to get ready for our big celebration of Christmas on December
25th.
Petru and Patti, thank you for
sharing this wonderful history of Saint Nicholas. In the U.S. when children
think of Santa Claus, we mostly think of getting presents. One thing I
like about the history of Saint Nicholas is it serves as a reminder that
giving presents is just one kind of charitable act. As a sailor I am particularly
fond of the Romanian story, each time I read the part about Nicholas helping
with the rigging in the storm, I am reminded about how many different acts
of kindness are possible in this world.
Happy beginning of the holidays!
Saint Nicholas in Romania
The old Saint Nicholas arrives
in Romania on the 6th of December, every year. His coming announces the
beginning of the winter holidays, the Christmas and the New Year.
Saint Nicholas is generous
not only with the children, but the adults, too. On the evening of the
5th of December, the boots are being happily polished in every home. People
usually put the boots near the entrance door, waiting for the presents.
Saint Nicholas takes care of each member of the family. He puts a little
present into every one's boots.
But who is Saint Nicholas?
The parents, of course. And who is the one who puts presents in the parents'
boots? The rest of family. This custom is very old in Romania, and Saint
Nicholas Day is one of the most important festivals of the year, especially
for the children.
All that is known of Nicholas
is that he was Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor during the 4th century. Legend
tells how a noble but poor man was thinking of prostituting his three daughters
because he was unable to provide them with a dowry. Nicholas threw three
golden balls or bags of gold through the window of their house and withdrew
unseen, thereby saving them from their fate.
Once, seamen threatened by
a violent storm invoked Nicholas, and he appeared, and assisted them with
the rigging until the storm died down.
When famine spread through
his bishopric, Nicholas learned that several ships were anchored in the
harbour laden with grain. The saint promised the fearful sailors that if
they gave the grain to his starving people, the customs men would not find
their cargo short. Nicholas was also said to have saved three soldiers
from decapitation; had an innocent prince released from prison; and brought
to life three children hidden in a brine tub who had been murdered by their
innkeeper father to feed to his guest during a plague.
He is patron saint of sailors
and of children, and also the origin of Father Christmas- Santa Claus being
a derivative of St Nicholas- an identification probably derived from his
patronage of children and his charitable acts of presenting gifts by night.
Petru Dumitru
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