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St. Nicholas

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Saint Nicholas (15 March 270 – 6 December 343), was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra (Demre-Turkey) in Lycia. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker.

He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, itself from a series of elisions and corruptions of the transliteration of “Saint Nikolaos”. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints. In 1087, part of the relics (about half of the bones) were furtively translated to Bari, in southeastern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as Nikolaos of Bari.

St. Nicholas "Lipensky" (1294 Russian icon) Born 15 March 270 Patara, Lycia et Pamphylia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) Died 6 December 343 (aged 73) Myra, Lycia

St. Nicholas “Lipensky” (1294 Russian icon)
(15 March 270 – 6 December 343)
Born in Patara, Lycia et Pamphylia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey )Myra, Lycia

Thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to Demre (formerly Myra) searching for the roots of Saint Nicholas. They come as pilgrims, especially from Russia up to sixty bus loads a day during the peak season where Saint Nicholas is revered as patron and a father of Orthodox faith. The beautiful beaches and warm weather along the Mediterranean coast also draw visitors from both Eastern and Western Europe. They may come to Demre as pilgrims, or, out of curiosity, wondering about the origin of Santa Claus, who is called Noel Baba or Father Christmas in Turkey.

Vendors’ stalls and shops are jam-packed with a vast array of St. Nicholas icon images offered in stone, weavings, wax, and metal. They are found as medals, bookmarks, plates, figurines, and icons. Rug dealers hawk his image in several sizes and many colors. Icon images greatly outnumber Santa-types, giving silent testimony to the numbers of Christian, particularly Orthodox, pilgrims.

Saint Nicholas was born in Lycia, inTurkey. During his life, Constantine became Emperor, following Diocletian who had persecuted Christians, including Nicholas. Christianity then flourished, replacing Greek and Roman Pagan deities, becoming the primary religion. However, after the Seljuk Turks’ conquest (11th–13th centuries) and with the Ottoman Empire’s long reign (14th–20th centuries), the dominant religion in this land, evangelized by the Apostle Paul, became Islam. Today, after the expulsion of Greek Christians in 1922, 99.8%*of Turkish people are Muslim, though Turkey is officially a secular state.

In the early 1950s Turks realized that the Bishop of Myra, Saint Nicholas, was none other than the western world’s Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Just as the good saint had brought pilgrims to Myra, and later to Bari, Italy, it was hoped he would again attract tourists and pilgrims with their lira, euros, and dollars.

Turkey issued a Santa Claus stamp in 1955, drawing further attention to St. Nicholas’ relationship to this place. Since 1981 regular events somewhat related to the good saint have been held under the sponsorship of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Anatalyan governor’s office. The first Father Christmas Symposium, held in 1983, has become an annual event, lasting about a week over the 6th of December, St. Nicholas Day. Religious and scientific people come from many countries for the Activities for World Peace with Santa Claus, including the Santa Claus Peace Award. This led to the establishment in 1991 of the Santa Claus Foundation to promote peace, friendship and brotherhood.

For many years an Orthodox liturgy was held in the Church of St. Nicholas on the 6th of December, St. Nicholas Day. This was the only service held in the church and it was not allowed from 2002-2006. Government permission was again granted in 2007. However, in January 2008 the name of the St. Nicholas Church (Aziz Nicholas Kilisesi) was officially changed to Father Christmas Museum (Noel Baba Müzesi). This may prevent such a service.

A first ever Easter ritual was held in the museum (church) in 2011. The ritual, led by a priest of the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, was attended by around 600 people from various countries, including Greece.

Beginning in 2009 the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has encouraged tourism companies to partner with a desitnation wedding company to promote Demre as a wedding site. The International St. Nicholas in Demre, Antalya, Wedding Festival offers a week-long schedule of activities, including Turkish traditions, culminating with a joint group (10-25 couples) civil, not religious, wedding ceremony in the Demre St. Nicholas “museum” on December 6th.

Russian Orthodox statue of Saint Nicolas, now in a corner near the church in Myra (Demre-Turkey)

Russian Orthodox statue of Saint Nicolas, now in a corner near the church in Myra (Demre-Turkey)

In today’s predominantly Muslim Turkey, commercial interests promote Santa Claus to encourage gift giving at New Year’s. So Western Santa, Noel Baba, is sometimes seen in shopping areas, on the streets, or in schools. Saint Nicholas is remembered in the land of his birth as a person who cared for all people, especially children. He is appreciated for his caring, humanitarian values, and also because he gives a boost to tourism and the economy.

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St. Nicholas, 100% based on 2989 ratings
By LETO on August 13, 1999   /   Ancient Cities of Turkey, Biblical Sites in Turkey, Byzantine & Ottoman Relics, Must-See Places in Turkey   /   16 Comments
Tags: Hagios Nikólaos, Nikolaos of Myra, Saint Nicholas, Sanctus Nicolaus, Ἅγιος Νικόλαος
16 Reviews
  1. Roodeberglodge
    7:43 am on August 17, 2007

    St Nicholas church is somewhat subterrainian as the main town of Demre now sits at a higher level than the church.
    A place of pilgrimage for Russians, as their patron saint – the vast majority of visitors when we were there were Russian (I was wearing a maxi dress and covered my shoulders – but the Russians also cover their…

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  2. UkMeee
    9:23 am on February 6, 2008

    The impressive statue outside is the first thing to hit you, then as you walk into the church itself the markings on the walls which some or discolored but you can still see them some of them faintly.
    Then our guide took us through to look at the original floor well part of anyway, then we saw "St Nicholas" toom…

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  3. ArcYildiz
    7:20 pm on May 29, 2009

    Visit this ancient church, travel through time and get to know the real story of Santa. Wish Turkish Governmet had this place in better situation, you can still find some ancient paintings.

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  4. yulia_lukspb
    10:28 pm on March 10, 2011

    The Christian church of St. Nicholas (Nikolay Chudotvortsa) is located in Demre.
    In IV century the prior and the archbishop of Lycia Myra was prelate Nikolay.
    Sacred Nicholas has been buried in a small tomb in a marble sarcophagus.
    In VI a century on a tomb place have erected church. After it Arabs have destroyed, but ХI a century it…

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  5. jkjcorp
    4:52 am on April 20, 2011

    The best part of this visit is the drive from Antalya. The church is a major pilgrimage site for Russians during the high season. Take your time driving here and the same going back to Antalya.

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  6. Adventurers049
    7:35 am on July 8, 2013

    We are sure that all children except those from Turkey believe that Father Xmas does live at the North Pole.
    Go to Demre and really see wher he comes from!

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