Home > Myths and Legends of the World > Nicholas, St.

One of the most popular saints in Christianity, St. Nicholas is the patronspecial guardian, protector, or supporter of children, unmarried women, sailors, and merchants, as well as the patron saint of Russia. He has long been associated with winter and served as the basis for Santa Claus.

Little is known for certain about the life of St. Nicholas. According to tradition, he was born in the seaport of Patara in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) and became bishop of Myra in the A.D. 300S. He was persecuted and imprisoned for his Christian faith.

After his death around A.D. 350, St. Nicholas was buried in the church at Myra. In about 1087, the relicspieces of bone, possessions, or other items belonging to a saint or sacred person of the saint were moved to Bari, Italy, which became a popular pilgrimage...