Saint Nicholas

Born: c. March 15, 270 (the Ides of March), Patara, Lycia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey)
Died: December 6, 346 (age 76), Myra, Lycia

Saint Nicholas ("victory of the people") is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker.

He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and is now commonly identified with Santa Claus. 

His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was the custom in his time.

What do you know about Saint Nicholas? Celebrate with this quick quiz?

1. He was probably born in Patara, a province of Asia Minor which is present day Turkey. He was born to wealthy parents who raised him to be a devout Christian. They died while he was very young. What did he do with his inheritance?

2. Dedicating his whole life to serving God. Where was he made a bishop?

3. Because so many miracles were performed by him what was he also known as?

4. Santa Claus is the name we now commonly know him by which evolved from his reputation of secret gift giving. True or False?

5. The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. What is the day?

6. His early Christian activities occurred during the reign of the Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian who persecuted Christians. Nicholas and so many other Christians were thrown into prison that soon there was no room for the thieves, murderers and other real criminals. After his release from prison. What did he attend after being released from prison?

7. According to one legend, as a young man Nicholas went to study in Alexandria and on one of his sea voyages from Myra to Alexandria he is said to have saved the life of a sailor who fell from the ship's rigging in a storm. What did he become a patron saint of?

8. What is a famous legend of Saint Nicholas with a dowry?

9. What was the cause of death?

10. Where is Saint Nicholas buried?

Answers

1. He gave his entire inheritance to help the poor, the sick, and the suffering.

2. He was made Bishop of Myra, the capital city of Lycia, while still a very young man.

3. Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

4. True

5. December 6

6. Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

7. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and is often called upon by mariners who are in danger of drowning or being shipwrecked.

8. In his most famous exploit however, a poor man had three daughters but could not afford a proper dowry for them. This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment would have to become prostitutes. Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him but being too modest to help the man in public, (or to save the man the humiliation of accepting charity), he went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses (one for each daughter) filled with gold coins through the window opening into the man's house.

9. He lived to an old age and died peacefully in his own bed in Myra and was originally buried there in his cathedral church, Church of Saint Nicholas Myra, Turkey, inside the church.

10. Basilica di San Nicolaa , Bari, Italy

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