What is Saint Nicholas Day?

Everyone knows December is all about Christmas. In fact, a staggering 90% of Americans say they celebrate the holiday, according to Pew Research. But just before Christmas steals the spotlight, another beloved holiday arrives: St. Nicholas Day.

What Is St. Nicholas Day?

St. Nicholas Day is a holiday that’s usually celebrated on December 6 to honor Saint Nicholas, the real person who inspired the character we all know and love: Santa Clause.

Nicholas was born to wealthy, Christian parents in the third century in the village of Patara. Today, that’s in Turkey, but at the time, the area was Greek. Nicholas’ parents died of plague when he was just a teenager, leaving him rich at a very young age. Rather than spend his inheritance on selfish desires, though, Nicholas followed the teachings of Jesus Christ that he learned from his parents, specifically to “sell your belongings and give to the poor.”

Nicholas used his wealth to help the needy, and after dedicating his life to God, stories of his profound generosity spread.

But Nicholas’ charity didn’t matter to Roman Emperor Diocletian, who persecuted Christians, so Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned for his faith. According to the Saint Nicholas Center, the prisons in Rome were overflowing with priests, deacons, and bishops at the time – meaning there was no room for actual criminals, like murderers and thieves.

Nicholas, a bishop, was ultimately released from prison and attended the Council of Nicaea – a historic meeting of church leaders – in AD 325. He died on December 6, AD 343, and was buried in his church.

There are numerous legends involving Saint Nicholas, including the development of a rare relic in his grave. Known as the “manna of Saint Nicholas,” the relic is a “transparent pure water that is formed in the tomb of the Saint in the crypt of the Basilica in Bari.”

“This phenomenon is not easily explainable. It is absolutely excluded that there is some kind of infiltration of water from the outside for it has been proven that the casket containing the bones of the Saint is impermeable,” the Saint Nicholas Center notes.

Saint Nicholas Day Shoe Tradition

The night before Saint Nicholas Day, children around the world leave a shoe in front of the fireplace or front door in the hopes that they’ll receive a gift from the generous bishop himself.

This tradition stems from one of Saint Nicholas’ most famous and legendary acts of charity. One night, Nicholas dropped a small bag of gold coins through the window of a house belonging to a desperately needy family. The gold landed in their shoes.

While Nicholas tried to donate the coins anonymously, the family’s father woke to the sound of the coins hitting their shoes and managed to catch a glimpse of Nicholas’ red robes outside the home. At the time, Nicholas was a bishop, a church leader in many Christian denominations that traditionally wear red robes.

The family’s father praised Nicholas’ generosity in the public square, and suddenly, people far and wide began to offer their own anonymous charity to people in need. The spirit and legend of Saint Nicholas grew, ultimately inspiring the legendary figure, Santa Claus.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus is the mythical version of Saint Nicholas. Santa’s traditional red outfit is a reflection of the red robes Saint Nicholas wore, and his mission to deliver gifts to good children around the world is based on Nicholas’ legendary acts of charity.

1. St. Nicholas Day is a holiday honoring Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop known for his profound generosity.
2. Saint Nicholas inspired the legendary figure, Santa Claus.
3. Children celebrate Saint Nicholas Day by leaving their shoes out for him, in the hopes they’ll receive a gift from Saint Nicholas himself.