Saint Nicholas

Who they were

Nicholas was born at Patara in Lycia, in today's southern Turkey, in the third century to a well-off Christian family. Orphaned young, he remembered the Gospel of the rich young man and gave his whole inheritance to the needy, the sick and the poor. He became bishop of Myra, was exiled and imprisoned under Diocletian, took part in the Council of Nicaea in 325, and died at Myra on 6 December 343.

The stories told of him all show a life spent for the weakest: he secretly threw money through a neighbour's window three nights running so that his three daughters could marry rather than be sold into prostitution. His relics were brought to Bari in Italy, which made him 'St Nicholas of Bari'.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Nicholas has been honoured as a saint since his death, in East and West. Stories of his wonders, such as raising three murdered students, are tradition, not examined miracles. His secret gifts to children gave rise to 'Sinterklaas' - Santa Claus.

Why that counted as sanctity

Nicholas gave away everything he had, in secret, to protect the defenceless, and shepherded his people through persecution.

Connected on this site

• Theodosius II Saint
  “Nicholas Church was built in Myra under the orders of Theodosius II over the site of the church where he had served as bishop, and his remains were moved to a sarcophagus in that church.” — Wikipedia