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St. Nicholas, one of the one endearing saints revered by Western and Eastern rite Catholics and Orthodox, has many fascinating facts connected to his life that we should be aware of to keep Christmas in our heart throughout the year.
Father Joseph Marquis has portrayed St. Nicholas (and Santa) for over 45 years and founded the St. Nicholas Institute. Father Marquis is a wealth of facts, from familiar to forgotten — like these 19 facts that can help us celebrate St. Nicholas better and appreciate his makeover into Santa. (By the way, Father Marquis will be on EWTN on At Home with Jim and Joy on Dec. 19.)
1. The saint’s name Nicholas is of Greek origin and means “victor of people.”
2. Nicholas was born in Patara in A.D. 270 and served as Bishop of Myra, both seaport towns off Turkey’s southern coast where he lived all his life (and died in 345).
St. Paul passed through them on his way to stand trial in Rome, as St. Luke records that “crossing the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia” (Acts of the Apostles 27:4-5).
Continued below.
19 Little-Remembered Facts About St. Nicholas
Father Joseph Marquis has portrayed St. Nicholas (and Santa) for over 45 years and founded the St. Nicholas Institute. Father Marquis is a wealth of facts, from familiar to forgotten — like these 19 facts that can help us celebrate St. Nicholas better and appreciate his makeover into Santa. (By the way, Father Marquis will be on EWTN on At Home with Jim and Joy on Dec. 19.)
1. The saint’s name Nicholas is of Greek origin and means “victor of people.”
2. Nicholas was born in Patara in A.D. 270 and served as Bishop of Myra, both seaport towns off Turkey’s southern coast where he lived all his life (and died in 345).
St. Paul passed through them on his way to stand trial in Rome, as St. Luke records that “crossing the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia” (Acts of the Apostles 27:4-5).
Continued below.
19 Little-Remembered Facts About St. Nicholas