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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AD 987

Kyiv and beyond

Following his baptism, Grand Prince Vladimir I brought Christianity and St. Nicholas to Kyiv. All Kyivan Rus were baptized (the area now occupied by Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Russia). St. Nicholas is Russia's favorite saint.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1560

Saint-Nicolas-de-Port

Stunning basilica dedicated to St. Nicholas, the much beloved , "Father of the Country, Leader and Defender of Lorraine."

1661

Sint-Nicolaaskerk

This silver reliquary is in the beautiful St. Nicholas Church in Sint-Niklaas, Flanders, Belgium.

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 distinctive American figure.

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.

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.

1864–1886

Thomas Nast draws Santa

Harper's Weekly features Nast's Santas with flowing beards, rotund shapes, fur suits, and clay pipes.

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.

1904

European Gift Giver

St. Nicholas leaves tasty treats for good little boys and girls.

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.

1920s

Dutch Moral Teacher

St. Nicholas visits homes and schools to reward good children who have learned their lessons well.

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.

1945

Still Gift Giver in Europe

St. Nicholas' donkey helps bring treats to excited and happy children.

1950s

European Advertising

St. Nicholas now rewards all children-whether naughty or nice. Even Coca-Cola once knew the true St. Nicholas.

1994

St. Nicholas Defense

Action committees in the Netherlands and Belgium tell Santa Claus to stay away until after St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.

2001

Canterbury, England

Good Bishop Nicholas rides through the town leading happy crowds to the heart of Christmas—the manger where Jesus was born.