St. Nicholas Day
This religious and cultural gift-giving holiday focuses on St. Nicholas.
This religious and cultural gift-giving holiday focuses on St. Nicholas.
Marcella Lopez
Reviewer URLDate: December 6, 19
Names: St. Nicholas Day, Sinterklaas
Pronunciation: Sin-der-klahs
This religious and cultural gift-giving holiday focuses on St. Nicholas.
Origin
St. Nicholas was a Greek-born bishop of Myra (part of modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century. He was imprisoned during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of a variety of groups, including sailors and schoolchildren. He is credited with a variety of miracles and a wealth of altruistic deeds.
One of the most popular stories about St. Nicholas revolves around giving gifts. According to legend, he gave marriage dowries of gold to three girls after learning they would have been forced into prostitution. This story gained ground throughout the medieval period in Europe. His relics still rest in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy.
St. Nicholas' popularity fell during the Protestant Reformation, as Protestantism generally does not practice the veneration of saints. Puritans sought to eliminate the traditions of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas continued as a beloved figure in some northern European countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, where St. Nicholas and his holiday are known as “Sintertklaas.”
St. Nicholas Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1810 by the New York Historical Society. Washington Irving was particularly drawn to the saint, utilizing much of St. Nicholas' life and legend to help found the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York.
When it is observed
For most, St. Nicholas Day is observed the night of December 5th and the day of December 6th. For those utilizing the Julian calendar, notably the Eastern Orthodox, the holiday is celebrated on December 19th.
Who observes this holiday
St. Nicholas Day is observed throughout Europe and by people who practice the Catholic religion. In the United States, it is especially popular in regions with large German populations.
Traditions
St. Nicholas, like Santa Claus, is a gift giver. Most traditions revolve around giving small gifts to children. Traditionally, on the night of December 5, children leave their shoes or socks outside their door. St. Nicholas then comes around during the night and leaves small presents (usually candy or money) in the child's shoes.
In legend, St. Nicholas arrives by horseback in a red robe to deliver presents to children on the night before his feast day.
Candy canes (that represent a bishop's staff) are a common symbol of St. Nicholas. Oranges and chocolate coins, which represent money, are frequent gifts. Some children may leave carrots for St. Nicholas' horse and letters to the saint.
What to say
"Happy St. Nicholas Day" is a fine greeting for the holiday.