Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus - Separating Myth From Truth
Who was Saint Nicholas and why did he become so popular? One very important element that separates Saint Nicholas from his counter part is the fact that he was a real person who was born and lived in Minor Asia, and not in an imaginary land or country of the "North Pole". Saint Nicholas was born in the city of Patara, on the south coast of the Asia Minor peninsula. At a very young age he became a bishop in the church and history recorded him to participate in First Ecumenical Council. This Council proclaimed the Nicean Symbol of Faith, it was also during this council that Saint Nicholas stood against heretical teaching of man named Arius, along the with other famous fathers of this Council as Saint Sylvester of Rome and Alexander of Alexandria.
But it was his live and generosity that made him so famous and so loved by many in the Christian church. During his life and more so after his death Saint Nicholas was known to perform many miracles which ranged form helping poor to saving lives of sailors. Because of his great generosity a tradition would develop where Saint Nicholas would come to visit children on the eve of his feast day (December 19, or December 6 of Julian calendar) bringing presents.
Who is Santa Claus? Unlike the figure of Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus has it roots in a Dutch legend and did not gain in popularity until parts of Europe were affected by Reformation and Protestant movement. Due to the fact that Reformation had refused to continue with the churches believes and tradition, it was unacceptable to continue the tradition of a Saint visiting little children. But the fame of Saint Nicholas was so strong that even with his name has to be incorporated into the the personality of a new fable in order have any success. It is in this form that the Santa Claus had arrived to the United states with Dutch immigrants.
Related Tags: santa, santa claus, saint nicholas
Eugenia Brown is a writer for Everything Catholic!- website that promotes products from Ingatius Press, a Catholic Publisher. There you can find books and literature on variety of topics including Bible.
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