The Holly chieftain., 1919-12-18
ASIA BIRTHPLACE
OF ST. NICHOLAS
Contrary to General Belief
in This Country.
NOT OF GERMAN ORIGIN;
BORN IN SIXTH CENTURY
Was Worshipped by italian Sea
Traders A. Their Special Pretsct-'
or-Played Double Role In This
Country in the Early Days.

just why 30 many Americans
think of the good Saint Nicholas as
a German saint, and on second guess .
aeeredit him with Dutch ancestry,
is not known. But it is undoubt-
edly the general belief in our cOun-
try that the saint, whose birthday,
December 6, is celebrated in some
countries rs the gift festival Of
the year. was OF Teutonic extrac-
ton.
born in Asia Minor, in Panthera.
in the province of Lycia, some time
in the sixth century. st. Nicholas
of Bari, he is oftenest called by
Europeans, but only the bones Of
St. Nicholas reposing for eight cen
turies in the crypt of b handsome
cathedral at Bari, Italy, have given
him that title. He never lived in
Bari. Italian sea traders, who wOr-
SHIPPED him as their especial protect
OF, stole his body from its resting
place in Myra in the twelfth cen
tuTy and brought it to sthe Italian
seaport. Since that time the cele-
bratiOn held there in the saints
honor is unique.
The Easern world knew and loved
him first, but 1t is from Western
Europe that we learn of many of
the quaint customs connected with
the celebration of his birth. In
Lycia he lived to a good old age, fill
ing his days even in childhood by
doing good deeds and giving lavishly
to the poor of the fortune he in
herited. 1t was Christlike to give,
SO, as q steward Of God, his wealth
as believed. Finally he was made
bishop of Myra, where he went to
live after pilgrimage to the Holy
Land.
1t was not strange that after such
a life of charity he should become
q saint OF the common people, even
at st. George was saint of knight
hood. He was invoked by the Ia
borer tOiling for his daily bread, by
mariners, by merchants. He was
protector of the weak against the
strong, the poor against the rich,
the captive, the prisoner, the slave.
He was especial guardian of maid
ems, schOOlboys, the orphan poor.
Throughout all Catholic Europe
children are taught to reverence
him, and to believe If they are do
cile and attentive to their duties
he will fill the cap or stocking with
dainties; II they are naughty or
idle, he certainly has rod in pickle
to bring along for them.
Saint Nicholas has found his way
to America in double role OF bene-
factor and bugaboO. Among the
Pensylvania Dutch parents still ad-
mOnish children: BE good, Pelz-
nickel will get YOU -Pelznickel be
ing species of unkind Santa Claus
and closely related to the "Old
Nick" In some sections Kris
Kringle appears in combined role
OF Santa Claus and Christchild. He
has other names -Samiclaus, Claw
es Niglo, Nikolo.
Although strangely little Is known
Of st. Nicholas in America, q few
churches scattered over the country
bear his name No saint OF the
calendar has as many churches, al
tars and chapels erected in his hon
or. Most towns in England boast
churches bearing st. Nicholas
name. There are more than hun
dred in Belgium and thousands
scattered over Europe. But wher-
ever he is worshiped and his birth
day observed it is always in remem-
brance of the fact that he is q fol-
lower and disciple of Christ, whose
coming was the greatest gift Of all.