Outline
1. The Historical Backgrounds There are many different versions and interpretations of the story of the Feast of St. Nicholas. Although these many different versions lead back to various countries and sources, the true story of St. Nicholas has its origin in Holland. Sinterklaas, as St. Nicholas is called in Holland, was actually a real person, he lived from 271 AD to December 6th in the year 343 AD, and was considered to be a kind, benevolent saint. Born of a wealthy family, St. Nicholas was brought up as a devout Christian. His parents died from an epidemic, and he distributed his wealth among the poor and became a priest. Later, he became Archbishop of Myra and fame of his good deeds began to spread across the Mediterranean. Sailors called on him to calm stormy seas and victims of persecution prayed to him for their safety. He saved many young children from the butcher’s knife and gave money to poor merchants and penniless maidens. Over time, he became the patron saint of sailors and merchants, and especially of children. After he died, the cult of St. Nicholas spread rapidly from by way of southern Italy throughout the Mediterranean and eventually to coastal towns along the Atlantic and the North Sea. In the 12th and 13th century, Holland built 23 churches dedicated solely to St. Nicholas, while Amsterdam adopted Nicholas as its patron saint. During this time Rome also decreed that December 6th would be his official feast day. His fame as a protector of children began to spread and he became known as the patron saint of children. In the 14th century, December 6th evolved into a kind of holiday, for choir boys of St. Nicholas churches were given money and the day off on this particular day. Later, monks of convent schools would dress up as the Saint, wearing a long white beard, St. Nick’s red mantle and mitre, as well as his golden crosier. This monk would then journey around the convent school rewarding those students who were good and punishing those who were naughty. This is presumed to be the tradition from which we currently derive the costume and tradition of Santa Claus. When Dutch settlers journeyed to America and set up the colony of New Amsterdam, the tradition of Saint Nicholas was spread throughout America, and is now one of the most celebrated holidays in the entire world.