Timeline of St. Nicholas
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AD c270 Nicholas' Birth Nicholas was born around AD 270 in Patara, Lycia, Asia Minor, to Christian parents. As he grew, he flourished physically, mentally and spiritually. Stained glass: Cathedral of St. Etienne, Bourges, France Photo: Stuart Whatling, Medieval Art |
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AD c300 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. Print made by Freancesco Bartolozzi, after Domenichino, from Doctors of the Church (1762) The British Museum, London |
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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. Greek Icon St Nicholas Center Collection |
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AD 987 Kiev and beyond Following his baptism, Grand Prince Vladimir I brought Christianity and St. Nicholas to Kiev. All Kievan Rus were baptized (the area now occupied by Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of 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, August 1975 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 |
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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 and Belgium tell Santa Claus to stay away until after St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. Symbol used in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium Photo: Sint-Nicolaasgenootschap Vlaanderen |
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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 |
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A more detailed Santa Claus/Father Christmas Chronology
