The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1920-01-09

the children of France and Belgium. When we
call ST. Nicholas Santa Claus" we are merely
saying in our own way San Nicolaas,' as the PEG
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 Nicolaas with them, and 1t was not long be-
fore Americans were saying Santa Claus"
Why, st. Nicholas belongs to all the world.
hundreds of churches in England bear his name.
mere are more than 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 Lycia, in the sixth century. ST Ncho-
las OF Bari he is oftenest called by Europeans but
only the bones Of St Nicholas reposng for eight
centuries In the crypt Of handsome cathedral at
Bari, Italy, have given him that title. He never
llVeG 10 Bari italian sea traders, who Worshiped
MIN as their especial protector stole his body
from its resting place in Myra In the twelfth CEN
fury and brought 1t to the Italian seaport. Since
tnat time the celebration held there in the saints
homer is unique
Inc eastern world knew and loved him first. but
II is from western Europe that we learn of many
Of the quaint customs connected with the ceIebra-
ton OF his BIRTH IN Lycia he lived to q good old
age filling his days even In childhood BY doing
good deeds and giving lavfshIy to the Door of the
fortune he Inherited 1t was ChristIike 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 i life ~
charity he should become q saint Of the common.
people, even as st. George was a saint Of knight.
hood. E4S was invoked BY the laborer ROLLING for
his dailgbbead, 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 maidens.
schoolboyas the orphan poor Throughout most OF
Europe children are taught to reverence him. and
to believe Il they are doce and attentive to their
duties he will I'll the cap OF stocking with dam
ties; II they are naughty or idle, he certainly has
q rod In pickle to bring along for them
Here Is what the Encyclopedia Britannica has
to say about st. Nicholas:
est Nicholas. bishop OF Myra, III Lycia, saint
honored by the Greeks and the Latins On the
sixth Of December. His cult is as celebrated as
his history Is obscure AN the accounts that have
come down to us are Of u purely legendary char
acter, and It Is impossible to and any single In
cident confirmed historically. The main facts of
his life are usually given as follows:
He was bishop of Myra at the time of the
Emperor Diocletian was prosecuted tortured for
the faith, and kept in prison until the more fol.
Grant reign OF Constantine, and was present at
the council Of Ncaea. 1t should be observed that
tniS iAsI circumstance Is ignored by all histnr-
ians and that St. Athanasus. who knew all the
notable bishops Of the period never mentions
Nicholas. bishop Of Nyra. The oldest known
monument Of the cult Of st. Nicholas seems to BE
the Church Of SITS Phiscus and Nicholas built 1t
Constantinople by the Emperor Justinlan III the
West. the name Of st. Nicholas appears Id tie
ninth century martyrologies. and churches dedi-
Gated to him gre to be found at the beginning of
the eleventh ce2tury
II is more especially. however from the time
Of the removal OF his body to Bari in ApuIia thar
his cult became popular. The Inhabitants of Bari
organized an expedition, seized his remains s.
means of q ruse and transported them to Bari.
where they we're received ID triumph on the ninth
Of May. 1857. and where the foundations were laid
of a new basilIca In his honor This was the
origin Of d famous md still popular pilgrimage
There are nearly 100 churches IN England Gedi-
Gated to ST. Nicholas He is the patron saint Of
Russia; the special protector of children sehol-
ars, merchants and sailors and Is Invoked BIZ
travellers against robbers Iii art ST. Nicholas Is
represented with various attributes being most
commonly depicted with three children standing
10 tub by his side. OF the various interpreta-
lions 81 this none is Absolutely certain. One 81
planation has been sought Il the legend Of st
Nicholas rzraflollsy restoring to life three rich
youths, vie had been murdered. cut up and CON
ceaied d i salHns knb 81 lhieyish lnnkeeper
D. butcher IL whose house tley hsd taken lodg-
ing