Rachel Evans
Saint Nicholas, also known as Nikolaos of Myra, was a fourth-century saint and Greek bishop of Myra. He is the patron saint of children, as well as sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church removed the obligation to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th, leading to questions about whether his sainthood had been reversed. However, the Catholic Church has clarified that St. Nicholas is still recognized as a saint, and his Feast Day remains optional for faithful Roman Catholics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Saint Nicholas's sainthood status | Recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglicans, and Lutherans |
| Date of formal canonization | None |
| Feast Day | December 6 |
| Status of Feast Day | Optional for Roman Catholics, obligatory for Italian and Eastern Catholics |
| Patronage | Sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students |
| Status of Remains | A sarcophagus possibly holding Saint Nicholas's remains was found in 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Saint Nicholas's sainthood status
Saint Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Patara in Anatolia (in modern-day Antalya Province, Turkey). He is believed to have lived between 15 March 270 and 6 December 343. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe.
Saint Nicholas's sainthood is recognised by the Catholic Church. However, there has been some confusion and debate around his status due to calendar reforms and changes in liturgical practices. In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church removed the obligation to commemorate Saint Nicholas, along with over 40 other saints, from its official calendar. This change meant that the celebration of his feast day on December 6 became optional for Roman Catholics, rather than mandatory. It is important to note that this revision did not remove Saint Nicholas from the roster of saints recognised by the Catholic Church.
Despite the changes, Saint Nicholas continues to be widely venerated as a saint. He is still recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church and is included in the calendars of various Christian denominations, including the Anglican Calendar of Saints and the Lutheran Festivals and Commemorations. Additionally, the Italian Episcopal Conference decreed in 2016 that the memorial of Saint Nicholas would once again be obligatory for Italian Catholics.
The sainthood of Saint Nicholas is also supported by his association with miracles and his reputation for extraordinary piety and charity. He is often depicted in art and iconography, reflecting his enduring significance in Christian tradition.
In summary, while there have been adjustments to the liturgical calendar and optionality regarding the commemoration of certain saints, Saint Nicholas's sainthood status remains recognised by the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. His popularity and devotion continue among Christians, particularly in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church and in the Orthodox Church.
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The Feast of St. Nicholas
Saint Nicholas was recognised as a saint long before the Roman Catholic Church began regularising canonisation procedures in the late 10th century. His sainthood also predates the 1054 schism between the Eastern and Western churches. Orthodox, Anglicans, and others have their own standards for recognising and commemorating saints.
Saint Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Patara in Anatolia (in modern-day Antalya Province, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. He is also known as "Nikolaos of Myra," and was a fourth-century saint and Greek bishop of Myra. He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. He is also the patron saint of Russia and Greece.
Saint Nicholas is celebrated on his feast day, December 6, the anniversary of his death. The day is known as Shen'Kolli i Dimnit (Saint Nicholas of Winter). In some countries, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on its eve, December 5. The Feast of Saint Nicholas is also commemorated on the evening of 9 May, known as Shen'Kolli i Majit (Saint Nicholas of May), which marks the interment of his bones in Bari.
The Feast of Saint Nicholas involves children placing polished shoes outside their doors, in anticipation of a visit from St. Nicholas. The children also leave carrots or grass for his donkey or horse. In the morning, they find small gifts, gold chocolate coins, candy canes, oranges, and something practical like pyjamas. In some places, children leave letters for St. Nicholas and find small presents under their pillows or in their shoes, stockings, or plates. In Central Europe, the feast is accompanied by Krampusz and virgács. According to tradition, Krampusz leaves a virgács, a switch resembling a small broom, as a reminder for children to be good.
The Feast of Saint Nicholas is a special time for families to come together and celebrate cherished traditions. It also allows people to refocus on Jesus and find a balance between the commercialisation of Christmas and the spiritual preparations of Advent. Saint Nicholas inspires people to follow his example of giving to others, reflecting on what gifts they can share during the Advent season.
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Saint Nicholas's remains
Saint Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Bari and Nikolaos of Myra, was a fourth-century saint and Greek bishop of Myra. He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe.
Saint Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in the Roman Empire to Christian parents and was ordained a priest and later a bishop of Myra, an ancient port city that corresponds to the modern-day Turkish city of Demre. He is well-known for his generosity, with the most famous legend being that he once dropped three bags of gold through the window of a house in Myra to pay the dowries of three women, saving them from a life of prostitution.
The location of Saint Nicholas's remains is a matter of some dispute. Churches across the world, including in Germany, Russia, and Virginia, claim to possess relics of him. The Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy, has perhaps the strongest claim to Saint Nicholas's final resting place. It is believed that after the Byzantine Empire lost control of most of Asia Minor to the invading Seljuk Turks, Saint Nicholas's bones were moved by merchants from Myra to Bari in 1087, with a few bones also making their way to Venice. In 1953, scientific studies confirmed that bones from both Bari and Venice belonged to the same individual, but it could not be conclusively determined if they belonged to Saint Nicholas.
In 2009, the Turkish government requested the return of Saint Nicholas's skeletal remains from Italy, asserting that he was buried in his episcopal town and that his remains were illegally removed. In 2024, an archaeological survey at St. Nicholas Church in Demre, Turkey, discovered a sarcophagus that may contain the saint's remains. This discovery could provide fresh insight into the celebrated patron saint who inspired Santa Claus.
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Saint Nicholas's iconography
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of travellers and sailors, and he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker due to the many miracles attributed to him. He is recognised as one of the most popular saints and is venerated for his intercessory powers. He is especially remembered as a holy hierarch who rescues innocent individuals from danger and acts as an intercessor for those who have been wrongly condemned.
Saint Nicholas is often depicted wearing a tall pointed bishop's hat, known as a miter or mitre, and carrying a hooked staff, which represents a shepherd's staff. He is also associated with gold balls, which represent the dowries he provided for impoverished maidens, and these have become the symbol of a pawnbroker. Oranges or apples are sometimes used to represent the gold balls.
The Saint Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero features intricate iconography, including sacred images on the eastern wall of the sanctuary, such as the Communion of the Apostles, which can be identified by its Greek inscription. The shrine also features recessed icons that add depth and boldness to the iconographic program.
The Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC, also features a variety of icons, including a matching set on the back of the iconostasis that overlooks the holy altar. These icons depict Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos, surrounded by floral greenery. Another icon from the iconostasis at the cathedral depicts the synaxis (assembly) of the holy Angels and Archangels, with Christ as a youth, known as Emmanuel, at the centre.
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Saint Nicholas's historical existence
Saint Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Myra, was a Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Patara in Anatolia (in modern-day Antalya Province, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. He is believed to have flourished in the 4th century and is traditionally associated with the festival of Christmas. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe.
Saint Nicholas is believed to have been born in Patara, the capital of Lycia, a province in the Roman Empire, to a wealthy Christian mother and father. After the death of his parents, he is said to have inherited a large fortune, which he gave away to help the poor and the sick. He is also often believed to have been ordained as a priest by his uncle, who was a bishop in the Lycian city of Myra.
Saint Nicholas's existence is not attested by any historical document, and there is no record of his existence until the 6th century. Any writings by Nicholas himself have been lost, and he is not mentioned by any contemporary chroniclers. However, his name appears as "Nicholas of Myra of Lycia" in a list of attendees at the Council of Nicaea, written between 510 and 515. The Byzantine historian Procopius mentions that the Emperor Justinian I renovated churches in Constantinople dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Priscus in the 6th century.
Oral traditions and stories about Saint Nicholas's life also exist, although they may contain legendary elaborations. One of the most famous stories involves Saint Nicholas secretly providing dowries for the daughters of a poor man by throwing bags of gold through the window. Another story tells of Saint Nicholas saving three men who were falsely imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Despite the lack of historical records, Saint Nicholas is considered a significant figure in Christianity, with thousands of churches dedicated to him across Europe. His reputation as a generous gift-giver and protector of children has led to his association with the popular character of Santa Claus.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, St. Nicholas is still considered a saint.
No, St. Nicholas is still recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church did not reverse St. Nicholas's sainthood but did make his commemoration optional in a sweeping calendar reform.
The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6 and it is customary to give small gifts to children.
St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students.
