Santa Claus Exists.

Those of you who stopped believing in Santa in late childhood are in for a surprise – he’s real!

No I’m not kidding, it isn’t a leg-pull and there’s no catch.  Santa Clause, also known as St. Nicholas of BARI was Bishop of Myra in Lycia.  He was born at Parara, a city of Lycia in Asia Minor and after a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine he became Bishop of Myra.  During the persecution of Diocletian he was thrown into prison but was released after the accession of Constantine.  One tradition has it that he attended the Council of Nicaea in the year 325.  St. Nicholas died on 6^th December 345 or 362.  He is patron of Greece, Naples, Russia, Sicily, Lorraine, the Diocese of Liege, and numerous other cities.  He is also the patron of mariners, merchants, bakers, travelers, children, etc.

His relics are still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari and an oily substance known for its curative properties is said to flow from them. During his life he was known as Νικόλαος ο Θαυματουργός, Nikolaos o Thaumaturgos or Nicholas the wonder worker.  With a reputation for secret giving, such as putting coins in shoes he became the model for Santa Clause.  However, he was not a fairy tale for children but a real person and a saint for the young Church. His feast day is 6^th December, so now you know.

Karin's New Book:  The Town Gray Built