Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-18

~ 6fSN ~ and all groWn-upS know, is nick
Y %MW name for ST. Nicholas. And st.
&4eA A Nicholas was not a German
NMM IN saint-that will please all good
lSS6Y&A y Americans. The saint of children
has not come to from the
people who so wantonlyN abused
the children of France and Belgium When we
call ST. Nicholas Santa Claus" we are merely
saying in our way "San Nicolaas," as the peo-
PIE OF Holland say it, For the Hollanders, who
settled in New York and New Jersey 300 years
ago at the very beginning of our country brought
San Nlcolaas with them, and it was not long be
1ore Americans We're saying Santa Claus"
why, ST Nicholas belongs to all the world
hundreds of churches in England bear his name
Ihere are more than a hundred ST. Nicholas
churches IN Belgium. Thousands of such churches
are scattered all over Europe
Inc queer thing about it is that st. Nicholas
was really born in Asia Minor, in Panthera in the
province OF Lyca, in the sixth century, ST Ncho
las OF Bari he is oftenest called by Europeans hnt
only the bones of ST. Nicholas reposing for eight
Sen.uiles IN the crypt of a handsome cathedral at
Bari Italy, have given him that title, He never
Ived IN Bari Italian sea traders, who worshiped
3 h'!n as their especial protector stole his body
IRON It's resting place in NIyra in the twelfth CEN
Jury and brought it to the Italian seaport Since
that time the celebration held there in the saints
honor is unique
ihe eastern world knew and loved him first but
II Is from western Europe that learn of many
ton OF his BIRTH In Lycia he lived to a good old
age, hlllng his days even in childhood by doing
good deeds and giving lavishly to the poor of the
fortune he inherited 1t was Christlike TO give
So as steward of God, his wealth belonged TO
Gods Children Nicholas believed FINALLY he yas
made bishop of Myra, where he went to live after
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
1t was not strange that after such n life Of
charity he should become saint of the common
-ople' even as st. George was saint of KNIGHT
hood lie was invoked by the laborer 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. lie was especial guardian of maidens
schoolboys, the orphan poor. Throughout most Of
Europe children are taught to reverence him and
TO Deleve II they are docie and attentive to their
duties he Will fill the cap or stocking with doin
ties; if they are naughty idle he certainly has
rod in pickle to bring along for them
Here is what the Encyclopedia Britannica has
to say about ST. Nicholas:
st Nicholas bishop of Myra in Lycfa, a saint
honored by the Greeks and the Latins on tho
sixth of December. His cult is as celebrated ms
his history is obscure All the accounts that have
come down to us are of purely legendary char
acter. and it is impossible to find any single in
cdent confirmed historically. The main facts of
his life are usually given as follows:
Y "He bishop of Nyra at the time of tho
Emperor Diocletian. was prosecuted tortured for
the faith, and kept in prison until the more fol-
Grant reign of Constantine and was present MT
the council of Nicaea. 1t should be observed that
this last circumstance is ignored by all histor-
ians and that st. Athanasius, who knew all tha
notable bishops of the period, never mentions
y Nicholas, bishop of Myra. The oldest known
monument of the cult of st. Nicholas seems to ha
\ the Church SITS Phiscus and Nicholas bult a+
. Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian. Tn tha
West the name of st. Nicholas appears in tbe
ninth century martyrologies, and churches dedi.
To hn n tha
the eleventh century.
&8It is more especially, however from the time
De the removal of his body to Bari in Apulia that
his cult became popular. The inhabitants of Bari
organized an expedition seized his remains Inv
means of ruse, and transported them to Bari
; where they were received In triumph on the ninth
pf May 1857, and where the foundations were hid
WoNsa basilica in his honor. This was tho
EoFigin of famous and still popular pilprimaga
3 I"There are nearly 400 churches in England ded
GIFTED to ST Nicholas He is the patron saint of
Russia; the special protector Of children scbo
aFs,l merchants and sailors; and is invoked nv
tFlvelers against robbers. In art ST. Nicholas is
REPRESENTED with various attributes being most
fbommonly depicted with three children standing
Ana TAB by his side. OF the various interpreto
}Iic-s of this, none is absolutely certain. One ex
lplanation has been sought in the legend of ST.
iNicholas miraculously restoring to life three rich
D youths, who had been murdered. cut up and con.
cealed in sailing tub by thievish innkeeper
or butcher, in whose house they had taken ode.
Ing.