Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, on Monday, Dec. 4. Nicholas was a fourth century Catholic bishop from the Mediterranean port city of Myra (in modern-day Turkey).
December 8, 2023
Stories this photo appears in:
December 21, 2023 1 a.m.
St. Nicholas inspired Santa Claus legend
The white-bearded Christian saint whose acts of generosity inspired America's secular Santa Claus figure is known worldwide. But Saint Nicholas' origin story is not. The legends surrounding jolly old St. Nicholas — celebrated annually on Dec. 6 — go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children. They include interceding on behalf of condemned prisoners to saving sailors from storms and covering the dowries of young women.