Who was the real St. Nicholas?
Learn about the life of the historical St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzChristmas trees have a very long history, though the practice of bringing trees inside and decorating them is more recent.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzThe Christmas tradition of gift giving.
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News •
Thief steals, destroys bone fragments of Saint Nicholas from French basilica
• Nov. 11, 2026, 3:29 AM ET (Jerusalem Post)
What does Santa have to do with this ancient city in Turkey?
• Oct. 19, 2026, 4:59 AM ET (CNN)
Transcript
Who was the real St. Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas lived in the 4th century and was the Catholic bishop of Myra (now in Turkey).
He was persecuted for his faith and imprisoned by the Roman emperor Diocletian.
Little else is known about his actual life, though many legends are associated with him.
According to tradition, he once threw bags of gold coins out his window to save three impoverished girls from a life of forced prostitution.
Legend also holds that he punched the heretic Arius in the face at the Council of Nicaea.
His feast day is usually celebrated on December 6th, and some Christians leave Chocolate coins and small toys in shoes or stockings in his honor on that day.
He is traditionally depicted wearing his red bishops robe and mitre, though his costume and story have morphed over time into that of the modern Santa Clause, the secular patron of Christmas gift-giving.
Saint Nicholas lived in the 4th century and was the Catholic bishop of Myra (now in Turkey).
He was persecuted for his faith and imprisoned by the Roman emperor Diocletian.
Little else is known about his actual life, though many legends are associated with him.
According to tradition, he once threw bags of gold coins out his window to save three impoverished girls from a life of forced prostitution.
Legend also holds that he punched the heretic Arius in the face at the Council of Nicaea.
His feast day is usually celebrated on December 6th, and some Christians leave Chocolate coins and small toys in shoes or stockings in his honor on that day.
He is traditionally depicted wearing his red bishops robe and mitre, though his costume and story have morphed over time into that of the modern Santa Clause, the secular patron of Christmas gift-giving.
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