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Sfântul Nicolae din Mira (280, Patara, Licia - 345, Mira) a fost un episcop. Precum pentru mai mulţi sfinţi din antichitate, avem de-a face cu un contrast între ceea ce ştim despre sfântul Nicolae şi cultul său foarte popular. Toate elementele biografice sunt târzii şi îndoielnice. Nicolae de Mira e menţionat pentru prima dată în secolul al VI-lea, în Martirologiul roman; în schimb nu e vorba de vreo pomenire ca atare a sfântului, ci doar de vedenia când sfântul Nicolae Licianul i s-ar fi arătat în vis lui Constantin cel Mare, cerându-i să-i ierte pe trei ostaşi osândiţi la moarte. De fapt, sărbătoarea de pe 6 decembrie pomeneşte tocmai această vedenie.
Obiceiul darurilor aduse de Moş Nicolae, s-a împământenit mai mult la oraş. Este posibil să fie un împrumut din ţările catolice, unde Moş Crăciun este cel care pune daruri în ghete sau ciorapi anume pregătiţi. Moş Crăciun aşa cum este el cunoscut azi, cu renii şi veşmântul roşu şi barbă albă a fost inventat la începutul secolului XX de o companie de publicitate americană care făcea reclamă pentru celebra Coca cola. Adevăratul Moş Crăciun, cel din tradiţia Bisericii este însă Sfântul Nicolae. Copiilor din România li se poate întâmpla ca Moş Nicolae să aducă şi câte o vărguţă (pentru cei obraznici). Rolul de ocrotitor al familiei cu care a fost investit de religia ortodoxă Sfântul Nicolae îi dă dreptul să intervină în acest fel în educaţia copiilor. Povestea lui Moş Crăciun începe cu un bătrân numit Sfântul Nicolae, episcopul din Myra.
Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints. The historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians. He is also honoured by various Anglican and Lutheran churches. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Macedonia, Slovakia and Serbia.
The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day, usually on 6 December, is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. In Hungary and Romania children typically leave their boots on the windowsill on the evening of December 5. By next morning Nikolaus (Szent Miklós traditionally but more commonly known as Mikulás in Hungary or Moş Nicolae (Sfântul Nicolae) in Romania) leaves candy and gifts if they have been good, or a rod (Hungarian: virgács, Romanian: nuieluşǎ) if they have been bad (most kids end up getting small gifts but also a small rod). In Hungary he is often accompanied by the Krampusz, the frightening helper who is out to take away the bad ones.
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Saint Nicholas (270 - 6 December 346) is the common name for * *
Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints. The historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians. He is also honoured by various Anglican and Lutheran churches. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Macedonia, Slovakia and Serbia.The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day, usually on 6 December, is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. In Hungary and Romania children typically leave their boots on the windowsill on the evening of December 5. By next morning Nikolaus (Szent Miklós traditionally but more commonly known as Mikulás in Hungary or Moş Nicolae (Sfântul Nicolae) in Romania) leaves candy and gifts if they have been good, or a rod (Hungarian: virgács, Romanian: nuieluşǎ) if they have been bad (most kids end up getting small gifts but also a small rod). In Hungary he is often accompanied by the Krampusz, the frightening helper who is out to take away the bad ones.
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