Christians all over the world celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6. His reputation as a generous helper made him one of the most popular saints in Christendom early on. To this day, he shapes customs, works of art and the amazement of children.
December 6 evokes memories of shiny boots, mysterious gifts and the cozy excitement of an early winter morning. But behind all the rituals lies a historical figure whose significance goes beyond folklore and children’s stories. St. Nicholas is considered one of the most popular saints in Christendom – and his legend continues to inspire generations worldwide. While many customs have changed over time, his core idea remains surprisingly constant: charity, protection and helpfulness.
The historical St. Nicholas was the bishop of the city of Myra, now Demre, in Lycia. His parents bequeathed him their fortune, which he then distributed to the poor. The following legend is particularly well known: Nicholas is said to have thrown three lumps of gold through a poor man’s window one night. The poor man used the money to prevent his daughters from being sold due to material hardship. This is why St. Nicholas still comes to homes and houses today and leaves gifts. This legend also had an influence on how the saint is depicted iconographically. Many works of art show him as a bishop with gilded apples, gold balls or lumps of gold and in bishop’s garb with a crosier. He is also a popular motif in heraldry, for example the coat of arms of the district of Cuxhaven shows the saint in his bishop’s garb with crosier. Other coats of arms, such as that of the municipality of Reinach in Switzerland, only show the two attributes of the crosier and the three gold balls.
Other legends tell of a so-called grain miracle. St. Nicholas ended a famine by miraculously multiplying grain. The people of the city of Myra were suffering from hunger due to a drought. When a ship full of grain anchored outside the city, St. Nicholas persuaded the sailors to give him a few bushels of grain for the city’s population. The ship’s crew initially refused, as they were worried about being punished by the emperor, who insisted on every gram of grain. Nicholas then promised them that nothing would be missing if they gave him some. The sailors then agreed and gave something to the people of Myra. They were able to live on the little grain for two years and even use some for sowing. The promise that Nicholas had made to the sailors also came true. When they delivered the grain to the emperor, the quantity was accurate to the gram.
Another legend justifies his patronage of seafaring. The crew of a ship got into distress at sea. Nicholas then appeared to the sailors and encouraged them. He also helped to free the ship from its predicament. The sailors later entered the church of Myra and recognized Bishop Nicholas as their saviour. In addition to sailors, St. Nicholas is also considered the patron saint of inland waterway sailors, merchants, lawyers, pharmacists, butchers, bakers, schoolchildren, students, travelers, pilgrims, lovers, women in childbirth, the elderly, thieves, prison guards, prostitutes and children. But he is also the patron saint of peoples such as Croats, Serbs and Russians as well as regions such as Lorraine and cities such as Bari. He is also the patron saint of many churches. Some of today’s customs surrounding St. Nicholas Day can be traced back to his role as patron saint of children.
St. Nicholas Day as we know it today has come a long way. Early medieval monasteries began to hold special devotions on the anniversary of the saint’s death. Rituals soon spread in which children received small gifts as a reminder of St. Nicholas’ charity. In many regions of Europe, the saint even appeared throughout history as a stern but just admonisher who reminded people of virtue, diligence and public spirit. It was only later that figures such as Knecht Ruprecht or Krampus emerged, who appear in folklore as companions or antagonists depending on the region. Despite these regional differences, the core remains the same: St. Nicholas Day should bring joy and remind us to look out for one another.
