Milford chronicle., 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 rotsetor-Played
Double Role In This Country
In Early Days.

JUST Wny so many Americans think
y Of the good Saint Nicholas as a 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 9, 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 reposlng
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 its resting place in
Myra In the twelfth century and
brought It 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 eel.
ebratiOn Of his birth. In Lycla he lived
to good old age. filling his days even
In childhood by doing good deeds and
giving lavishly to the poor Of the for
rune he Inherited. Il was Christllke to :
give, so, as steward OF God. his
wealth belonged to Gods children,
Nicholas believed. Finally he was
made bishop Of Myra. where he went :
to live after pilgrimage to the Holy .
Land >
II was not strange that after such a ::
life Of charity he should become a 4
saint Of the common people. even as z
ST George was q saint Of knighthoOd =
he was invoked by the labOrer tolling D
for his daily bread. by mariners. by 4
merchants. He was protector Of the z
weak against the strong, the Door y
against the rich. the captive, the pris- :.
lner the slave. He was especial 4
guardian OF maidens. schoOlboys. the z
'rphan poor. Throughout all Catholic q
Europe children are taught to rever- u
nee him, and to believe II they are 81
oclle and attentive to their duties he q
'lll fll the cap or stocking with dain- "A
les; If they are naughty or idle. he y
ertainly has rod In pickle to bring :Y
long for them. "a
Saint Nicholas has found his way TO "A.
merica In double role Of benefactor ~.
I'd bugabOo. Among the Pennsylvania y:
utch parents stlll admonlsh children: a.
Sc good. Pelznlckel will get you"- x:
slznlckel being a species OF unkind ~:
lnta Claus and closely related to the "
I'd Nick" In some sections KRIS "a:
lngle appears in combined role OF *:
nta Claus and ChrIstchlld. He has "
Ter names-Samiclaus Clawes Mig. -
NikOlo. G
strangely little is known OF u:
Nicholas In America, a few "
riches scattered over the country
lr his name. No saint OF the calen. "A:
has as many churches, altars and y:
Ipels erected In his honor. Most H.
ms In England boast churches hear
81 Nicholas name. There ara *
re than hundred In Belgium ana y:
usands scattered over Europe. Rut "
srever he is worshlped and his ~
hday observed It is always in re. X
nbrance Of the fact that ne Is \ foI. y:
er and disciple Of the Christ whose "
ing was the greatest gift Of All. -