The History of St. Nicholas Day

Every year on December 5, children from all over the world leave out their shoes for St. Nicholas in the hopes that they will be filled with candy the next morning. This holiday marks the anniversary of the death of the third-century Catholic saint who inspired the modern day version of Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas is said to have sold all he owned and gave the money to the poor. He devoted his life to serving and caring for the sick and suffering. It is rumored that he overheard a family talking about how they couldn’t pay their daughters’ dowries. Late that night, he threw bags of coins into the family’s house, and the bags landed in the girls’ stockings that were hung over the fireplace to dry. This is where the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from.

Originally, this tradition began in the Netherlands. Good children received shoes, stockings, or small toys and candy while naughty children received sticks, twigs, or coal. The tradition made its way to the New World with the settlement of New Amsterdam. Many countries around the world celebrate St. Nicholas Day. He is the patron saint of Russia and Greece, and many European countries take part in the festivities as well. In some countries, he is the major gift giver while he is primarily a religious figure in others.

St. Nicholas is revered all over the world. Many go on pilgrimages to the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy to celebrate this noted religious figure. While St. Nicholas is a cherished gift giver, he remains a model and symbol of living a compassionate life.

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