Saint Nicholas

Bishop of Myra

Feast Day: December 6

Saint Nicholas was a saint. He was the bishop of a city named Myra, in the Byzantine Empire's Lycia (Turkey) in the early part of the fourth century. St Nicholas was a Christian priest, who later became a bishop. He was a rich person, and traveled the country helping people, giving gifts of money and other presents.

In the Netherlands and northern Belgium he is known as Sint Nicolaas or Sinterklaas. He arrived in the Netherlands by way of steamboat from Spain 2 weeks before his traditional birthday, December 6th, along with his helper, Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), who helped disperse the gifts and candy to all the good children.

The most famous story about Nicholas tells of how he helped three unfortunate young sisters who all had suitors but had no dowries because their father, a poor nobleman, could not raise the money. Because of this, they could not marry.

He is supposed to have died on December 6, 346 at Myra, which is why his feast is celebrated on that date. His relics are believed to be at Bari, Italy. Recognized for his great generosity, he is the patron saint of little children and school children.

This is as much as is generally known about him in the West.

Patron of little children and school children

Please see the main altar en the main nave in the Catholic Sanctuary of Saint Nicholas (Święty Mikołaj) in Poland, in Piersciec - the South of Poland:

• http://www.piersciec.bielsko.opoka.org.pl/serwis/Pliki/max_oltarzglowny.gif

• http://www.piersciec.bielsko.opoka.org.pl/serwis/Pliki/max_nawa.gif