Saint Nicholas, the original Santa Claus
Santa Claus was inspired by a real figure who spends his life fighting against miscarriages of justice. He managed to save three innocent people who were sentenced to death.
Santa Claus is based on the real historical figure of , a Byzantine bishop born in present-day Türkiye.
Due to the extraordinary legends and miracles attributed to it, it has become one of the most popular saints in Europe.
Probably, Dutch emigrants spread his fame to the United States and there the patron saint of children was transformed, through books, magazines and films, into the familiar Santa Claus figure we know today.
There is the story of Saint Nicholas that everyone knows – the one in which he gives gifts to the poor in the dead of night – the story of the origin of Santa Claus. But there is another story that is probably less familiar to most of us – writes .
It’s a story about how Nicolau fought against a judicial error. The story begins when a local businessman goes to speak to the provincial governor. For reasons lost to history, he wants three innocent men, Nepotian, Ursyna and Apollyn, killed. The governor, a notoriously dishonest man named Eustathios, is only too happy to help.
The oldest text about the life of Nicholas is found in Greek Hagiographic Librarybelieved to have been written in the first half of the 9th century by Michael the Archimandrite. The account suggests that once the bribe was paid, the men were sentenced to death.
Nicolau heard what was happening and ran to the square.
At the moment the executioner raised his sword to dispatch the first prisoner, Nicholas threw himself between the executioner and the condemned man. Grabbing the executioner’s arm, drew out his sword, untied the innocent and set them free.
Then he admonished the governor. Faced with Nicholas’s righteous fury, Eustace fell to his knees and repented, promising to change his attitude.
Saint Nicholas of Mira saves three innocent people from death
This is a very different image of Saint Nicholas than most people are used to in the 21st century. This is not the kind and humble bishop of the fourth century, the proto-Santa Claus. Instead, this is the action heroSaint Nicholas who is not afraid to face an executioner’s sword.
As bishop of Myra – a coastal city in modern-day Turkey – Saint Nicholas was a prominent Christian figure in an empire that was increasingly concerned about the growing power of Christianity.
He was later arrested and tortured
The Roman Emperor Diocletian decided it was time to send a message. He ordered the torture of all Christians who refused to worship the Roman gods. This unleashed a reign of terror.
Nicolau was one of those who was arrested and tortured. Diocletian’s persecution lasted between eight and ten years.
And was made holy
While the story of Saint Nicholas secretly distributing bags of gold to a poor family is one to remember and ultimately becomes the inspiration for Santa Claus’ jolly, rosy-cheeked figure, there are other aspects to this character.
Nicholas was a rich man and so when he gave his gold, it was an act of kindnessbut nothing I couldn’t afford. The fact that he did so anonymously demonstrates his humility. These were the acts of a compassionate bishop, of a man who would soon become celebrated, then famous, and finally a saint.
As the centuries passed, the legend of Saint Nicholas would grow and grow – as would the powers attributed to him. From controlling the weather to appearing in dreams to Roman emperors, there seemed to be little that Saint Nicholas couldn’t do.
Became the patron saint children, pawnbrokers, single women, sailors, repentant criminals, students, businessmen and countless European cities. And, of course, it would turn out to be reimagined as Santa Claus.
