Who is saint Nicholas?

St. Nicholas was born around 270 CE in Patara, Lycia (modern-day Turkey). He became the Bishop of Myra and was known for his generosity and kindness, particularly toward children and the poor. Here are some key facts about his life:

Historical Facts:
- He was born to wealthy Christian parents who died in an epidemic when he was young
- He inherited his parents' wealth and used it to help the needy
- He became a priest at a young age and later was made Bishop of Myra
- He attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE

Famous Stories & Acts of Charity:
- His most famous act involved providing dowries for three poor sisters by secretly throwing bags of gold through their window at night
- He reportedly saved three innocent men from execution
- He is said to have helped sailors during storms
- He was known for secretly giving gifts to children

Historical Impact:
- He was persecuted and imprisoned during Roman Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians
- He died on December 6 (around 343 CE), which became his feast day
- His remains were originally buried in Myra but were later moved to Bari, Italy
- His reputation for secret gift-giving evolved into various gift-giving traditions around the world, eventually influencing the modern Santa Claus figure

St. Nicholas was canonized by the Catholic Church, and he remains one of the most popular saints in Christianity, particularly venerated in Orthodox Christianity.