Feast day: 6 December
Saint Nicholas of Myra
Sanctus Nicolaus
The fourth-century bishop of Myra whose secret gifts to three dowerless girls made him the most widely venerated saint of the East and the origin of the figure of Santa Claus.
- Born
- About 270, Patara in Lycia (today Turkey)
- Died
- About 343, Myra in Lycia; traditionally 6 December
- Canonization
- Pre-Congregation saint, venerated from the sixth century in both East and West.
- Country
- Asia Minor (Byzantine Empire)
Biography
Life and episcopate
Little is documented with certainty. Ancient tradition holds that Nicholas was born of wealthy Christian parents at Patara, was orphaned young, and used his inheritance for the poor. Elected bishop of Myra, he is said to have suffered imprisonment in the persecution of Diocletian and to have been freed under Constantine.
Charity and the defence of the innocent
The best-known story tells of three sisters whose father could not provide dowries; Nicholas threw bags of gold through their window at night, saving them from destitution. Another early account describes him intervening to stop the execution of three innocent men. His presence at the Council of Nicaea in 325 is a later tradition and is not attested by the council lists.
Relics and worldwide cult
In 1087 sailors from Bari carried his relics from Muslim-held Myra to Italy, where the Basilica of San Nicola was built. From the Dutch 'Sinterklaas' the popular figure of Santa Claus developed, though the Church honours him above all as a bishop of extraordinary generosity.
Timeline
- ~270 — Born at Patara
- ~300 — Becomes bishop of Myra
- ~303 — Imprisoned in the Diocletian persecution
- ~343 — Dies at Myra on 6 December
- 1087 — Relics translated to Bari
Dates marked ~ are traditional or debated among historians.
Symbols
Three golden balls or purses — The dowries given secretly to three poor sisters.
Anchor or ship — His patronage of sailors.
Virtues & spiritual lessons
Hidden generosity that avoided all praise, courage in defending the innocent and pastoral care for a persecuted flock.
Importance in the Church
Nicholas is among the most venerated saints of the Christian East and the patron of Russia and Greece; his charity gave Christmas its enduring tradition of anonymous giving.
Quotes
“The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to imitate his giving, by grace, through faith, and this not of ourselves.”
Saying attributed to Saint Nicholas in later tradition
Prayers
Troparion of Saint Nicholas
The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, a teacher of temperance. Therefore you have won the heights by humility, riches by poverty. Father and bishop Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Byzantine troparion sung on 6 December in the Eastern Churches.
Places
Basilica di San Nicola, Bari — Home of his relics since 1087, a shared pilgrimage of Catholics and Orthodox.
Demre (ancient Myra), Turkey — The church built over his original tomb.
Related saints
Entries are drawn from the Roman Martyrology, the General Roman Calendar, canonization records of the Holy See, and the saints' own writings. Where a date, quotation or attribution is uncertain, it is marked as such. (63 saints)