Charlevoix county herald., 1919-12-12
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 az
Their Special Protector-Piayed
Double Role In This Country
In Early Days.

Just why so many Americans think
Of the good Saint Nicholas as Ger
man saint, and on second guess accred-
II him with Dutch ancestry, Is not
known. But II is undoubtedly the gen.
eral belief in our country that the
saint, whose birthday, December 6, is
celebrated In some countries as the
"gift festival" of the year. was Of Teu-
tonic extraction.
The Christmas saint really was 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 centuries In the crypt OF a
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 protector,
stole his body from It's resting place In
Myra In the twelfth century and
brought 1t to the Italian seaport. Since
that time the celebration held there in
the saints honor Is unique.
The Eastern world knew and loved
him first, but II Is from Western Eu-
rope that we learn of many Of the
quaint customs connected with the Gel
ebration of his birth. In Lycia he lived
to a good old age, filling his days even
in childhood by doing good deeds and
giving lavishly to the poor Of the for
tune he inherited. 1t was Christlike to
give, so, as a steward Of God, his
wealth belonged to Gods children,
Nicholas believed. Finally he was
made bishop of Myra. where he went
to live after a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land.
1t was not strange that after such
life Of charity he should become a
saint of the common people, even as
st. George was a saint of knighthood
He 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 pris-
oner, the slave. He was especial
guardian Of maidens, schoolboys, the
orphan poor. Throughout all Catholic
Europe children are taught to rever-
ence him, and to believe If they are
docile and attentive to their duties he
will fill the cap or stocking with dain-
ties; 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 benefactor
and bugaboo. Among the Pennsylvania
Dutch parents still admonish children :
BE good, Pelznickel will get YOU
Pelznickel being a 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 Clawes Mig
10, Nikolo.
st. Nicholas In America, few
churches scattered over the country
hear his name. No saint Of the calen-
dar has as many churches, affairs and
chapels erected in his honor. Most
towns in England boast churches bear
ing st. Nicholas name. There are
more than a hundred In Belgium and
thousands scattered over Europe. But
wherever he is worshiped and his
birthday observed 1t Is always In re-
membrance Of the fact that he Is fol
lower and disciple of the Christ, whose
coming was the greatest gift Of ALL