Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-11
ASIA BIRTHPLACE
OF ST. NICHOLAS
Contrary to General Belief in
This Country, He Was Not
OF German Origin
BORN IN SIXTH CENTURY
Worshiped by italian Sea Traders as
Their Special Protector-Pisyed
Double Role in This Country
IN Early Days.

Just why 50 many Americans think
pf The good Saint Nicholas as Ger
man saint, and on second guess accred-
il him with Dutch ancestry. is not
known. But il il undoubtedly The gen
eral belief In our country that The
saint, whose birthday. December q. il
celebrated in some countries as the
gift festival" OF the wear WAS of leu
onic extraction
The Christmas saint really was born
IA Asia Minor, i'm Panthera. ia The
province of Lycia. some time in the
sixth century 81 Nicholas of Bari he
is OfteneSt called by Europeans. hut
only the bones Of 81. Nicholas repOsng
lor eight centuries in the crypt of "a
handsome cathedral Al Bari Italy. have
gwen him that title. He never lived in
Bari. Italian sea traders. who W"r-
SHIPPED him a their especial protector
stole his body from it's resting place in
Myrs in the twelfth century and
brought IL TO the Italian seaport. Since
hat time the celebration held there ia
me saints honor j. unique.
The Eastern world knew and loved
him first bur II is from Western Eu-
rope that We learn of many OF the
quaint customs connected with the Gel
ebrston of his birth In Lycia he lived
Ia good old age filling his days even
ln childhood by doing good deeds ana
giving laNishly 40 the poor of The for
rune he Inherited 1t was Chri>tikc ~
give. 50 aS steward of cod, his
wealth belonged to Gods children.
Nicholas believed Finally ne was
Iuaoc bishop of Myra where he went
10 live after pilgrimage 10 the Holy
Land
II Was not strange that after such Il
ife Of charity he should become
~$int'0t the common people. even ~
Il. George was saint of knighhood
lie was Invoked by The laborer toiliug
iOr his daily bread by mariners. by
merchants He was protector OF the
weak against the strong. the poor
against the rich. the captive. the priS
"ner. Tie slave. He was especial
GUARDIAN OF maidenS. scho0boys The
orphan poor. Throughout al Catholic
Eps op, children are taught To rover
cncc him ana to believe If they are
docile and attentive 10 their duties ne
win I'LL the cap OF stocking with dnin-
les if they are naughty or idle. he
r-rianly hnS IL rod IN pickle 10 bring
along for them
Saint Nicholas has found his way ~
America i'm double role ~ benefactor
and buguboo Among the Pennsylvania
Dutch parents still admuniSh children
"fo 1nod PciznicEci viii get yon''
J. lznickel being a species of unkiud
= MIA Claus aud closely related 10 the
"cid Nch In some sections Kris
Kriug appears in combined role of
Santa Claus ana Chri>tchild lie has
other iamrS Samiclaus. ClHwes Mig
10. Ni6oo
Although strangely little j. known of
81 Nicholas in America. fcu
churches scattered over the country
bear his name No saint of the calcn-
der has as many churches. affairs and
chapelS erected in his honor. Most
towns In England boast churches heaI.
Ing 81 Nicholas name. There are
more than q hundred In Belgium and
thousands scattered over Europe Bur
wherever he is worshiped and his
birthday observed II is always I'm re-
membrance OF the fact that he is fol
lower and disciple of the Christ whose
coming was The greatest gifi of aU