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c AD 300
Bishop of Myra
Nicholas was Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, the city now known as Demre, Turkey. Living his whole life centered on Jesus Christ, Nicholas worked for justice and cared for those in need.
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AD 325
Council of Nicaea
Bishop Nicholas, defender of the faith, forcefully argued for the doctrine of the Holy Trinity at the Council of Nicaea. The council's statement forms part of the Nicene Creed, still said in churches today.
Fresco, Sistine Chapel, The Vatican Photo: St Nicholas Society/Rosenthal |
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AD 343
Death of Nicholas
Bishop Nicholas died on December 6, 343 AD, and was buried in the cathedral in Myra, now Demre, Turkey. Many pilgrims came to his tomb.
Tomb of St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Church, Myra (Demre, Tureky)
Photo: St Nicholas Society/JMR |
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AD 400
Wonderworker
Since the fifth century the Eastern Church has revered St. Nicholas for the many miracles attributed to him and for his inspiring witness as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Bulgarian Icon, Photo: St Nicholas Center Collection |
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AD 987
Russia
Following his baptism in Constantinople, Grand Prince Vladimir I brought Christianity and St. Nicholas to Russia. St. Nicholas is Russia's favorite saint.
19th C Russian Icon, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1087
Saint in Bari
Italian sailors took the bones of St. Nicholas to Bari, Italy. This "translation of the relics" is commemorated in Bari with a fantastic festival each year on May 9th.
Vintage Italian Print, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1100s
Gift-Giver
French nuns began giving candy and gifts to needy children on December 6th, St. Nicholas feast day. Children still eagerly await his treats in French Alsace and Lorraine and in many other parts of Europe.
French Holy Card, St. Nicholas Center Collection |
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c1150
Winchester Cathedral
Scenes from the life of St. Nicholas decorate this black marble baptismal font which was made in Belgium. St. Nicholas has been a favorite subject for church ornamentation.
Winchester Cathedral Font, Photo: Aidan Simons |
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1200s
13th Century Boy Bishop Token
All over Europe boys were selected to be the "Nicholas Bishop" from December 6th through the Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28th). Boy bishops and their retinues collected alms for the poor, but sometimes turned into disruptive roving gangs.
13th C English token brom Bury St. Edmunds, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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c1410
"Saint Nicholas Rescues a Ship at Sea"
Nicholas was a popular subject for illuminated manuscripts; this one is from the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duke of Berry.
Card from Metropolitan Museum of Art, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1560
Saint-Nicolas-de-Port
Stunning basilica dedicated to St. Nicholas, the much beloved patron, "Father of the Country, Leader and Defender of Lorraine."
Belgian Lithograph, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1661
Sint-Nicolaaskerk
This silver reliquary is in the beautiful St. Nicholas Church in Sint-Niklaas, Flanders, Belgium.
Detail Sint-Nicolaaskerk Reliquary, 1661 Sint-Nicolaaskerk |
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1809
Washington Irving's St. Nicholas
Diedrich Knickerbocker's History of New York describes St. Nicholas as an elfin Dutch burgher, not a saint, thus beginning the emergence of a dinstinctive American figure.
Illustration by Boyd, A Visit from St. Nicholas, 1849, facsimile edition, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1823 A Visit from Saint Nicholas or 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
First publication of the poem that became an American classic—and formed lasting images of an American St. Nicholas.
1862 edition, illustrated by F. O. C. Darley, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1845
The Netherlands
A new picture book by Jan Schenkman shaped modern Dutch customs by establishing Sint Nicolaas arrival on a steamboat from Spain with a Moorish assistant. Crowds still enthusiastically greet their arrival each year in mid-November.
Sint Nikolaas en Zijn Knecht, Reprint, St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1864—1886
Thomas Nast draws Santa
Harper's Weekly features Nast's Santas with flowing beards, rotund shapes, fur suits, and clay pipes.
"Merry Old Santa Claus" by Thomas Nast, Harper's Weekly, January 1, 1881 |
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1873
St. Nicholas Magazine
The first issue of St. Nicholas: Scribner's Illustrated Magazine for Girls and Boys was published. Editor Mary Mapes Dodge named the magazine for the children's saint—the epitome of loving and giving. This new magazine offered gifts to children as he did—gifts of fun as well as learning.
St. Nicholas Magazine, July 1874
Click for the story of St. Nicholas from the January 1875 issue.
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1904
European Gift Giver
St. Nicholas leaves tasty treats for good little boys and girls.
1904 German Postcard St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1916
St. Nicholas Magazine
This enormously popular magazine named for children's patron, St. Nicholas, was published from 1873 until 1940. It featured high quality children's authors and illustrators.
Illustration: Norman Price, St Nicholas, December 1916 St Nicholas Center Collection
Click for the story of St. Nicholas from 1875. |
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1920s
Dutch Moral Teacher
St. Nicholas visits homes and schools to reward good children who have learned their lessons well.
Dutch Postcard St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1931
Coca-Cola Santa
Each year from 1931 to 1964 Haddon Sundblom created a new Santa for Coca-Cola's "thirst knows no season" campaign. His life-size Santas in white fur-trimmed red suits are now the American Santa Claus. Here is the first one.
Courtesy of Coca-Cola Company |
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1945
Still Gift Giver in Europe
St. Nicholas' donkey helps bring treats to excited and happy children.
1945 Belgian Postcard St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1950's
European Advertising
St. Nicholas now rewards all children-whether naughty or nice. Even Coca-Cola once knew the true St. Nicholas.
Store Promotional Piece St Nicholas Center Collection |
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1994
St. Nicholas Defense
Action committees in the Netherlands tell Santa Claus to stay away until after St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.
Symbol used in Assen, the Netherlands |
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2001
Canterbury, England
Good Bishop Nicholas rides through the town leading happy crowds to the heart of Christmas—the manger where Jesus was born.
Photo: Anglican World |
LINK
A more detailed Santa Claus/Father Christmas Chronology
Back to Flash Timeline back to top
print version
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