Saint Nicholas day....

Let's see, for those people who know when is this party, it is true that Saint Nicholas Day was December 6th, and of course today is not that day, but here in Poland was an special day, so I think it would be a good idea to inform everybody who doesn´t know this day (in Spain for example it is not a very famous day).

Firstly, I will talk about an historical introduction of the topic (you know that I love this kind of introductions), in this case the Saint Nicholas Day, and then we will be able to know why is important in Poland nowadays.

This day commemorate "Nicholas of Bari", as known in Europe or "Saint Nicholas of Myra" in other places (He died in Bari, but his remains are in Myra) and was a bishop who lived in the third and fourth centuries from 270 to 345 AD. Saint Nicholas of Bari has near of 2,000 temples because of his devotion, and is the Patron Saint of countries such as Russia, Turkey and Greece, so its importance is enormous.

He was born in Turkey, in Patara city, and although was born into a rich family, Nicholas was characterized by generosity and altruism. His family, with Christian belief and practice, educated him at the same way, and when his family died, Nicholas, who received a very substantial fortune, helped people in need to they had a better life according to christian principles. The faithful made him to help poor people.

Soon, Nicholas would have a religion lifestyle and was his profession because he decided to be a priest. After a few years being a priest, he had to move to Myra, a city that is now in Turkey. Several priests and bishops argued over who would be the next bishop, deciding that this person would be the next priest to pass through the door, and the person was Nicholas (with luck or perhaps magical power), being a bishop consequently.

His mission in life was promulgate the Christian religion and fight against pagans. One example of this battle was burning the largest pagan temple city. Following changes in the empire government and with the entry of a pagan person, Nicholas was in prison, which would change when entering a new Christian governor to the throne.

Although he wasn´t an expert talker, Nicholas made people forget this lack of talent with a surprising power of attraction. People weren´t exactly clear what Saint Nicholas used to do, but they were sure when Nicholas spoke, they couldn´t stop of hearing him, and it was a good feeling. He protected weak people and with great enthusiasm and charisma, he wasn´t to be long to transmit them his beliefs. One of the things he did and its the reason by which he is remembered nowadays, is that every Christmas, he gave toys to children, to remember that this date is when we get the best of Christ. He died in 345 but he was the first saint for which West and East have devotion.

Finally, I have to say before going into details of the party, that Saint Nicholas is attributed many miracles such as he could avoid many soldiers of the death penalty, helped a child in WWII world (he was alone in the streets where soldiers was in the battle, and he said that someone with same characteristics as Saint Nicholas grabbed him and moved to his mother; moreover no one saw this person), and finally, the history tells that three young girls of the same family, who wanted to get marry but didn´t have enough money to do it, put their socks under the chimney and Saint Nicholas threw some coins down the chimney and dropped inside socks that were drying (this tradition has continued nowadays and people put hunging socks waiting for a present of Saint Nicholas.

Talking now about Saint Nicholas day, I must say that it has a Dutch origin and people from Holland celebrate on 5th instead of 6th as here in Poland. Moreover, there are many countries where the party is also celebrated, such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and of course, Poland. The main point of this party is that St. Nicholas brings toys to children every year.

According to tradition (dutch tradition), Saint Nicholas comes from Spain (its very strange that this party is not too famous in Spain), and every year since 1934, arrive Holland coasts by steamboat. Nicholas ride a white horse and is accompanied by a few black assistants and throw cookies at people. This party is one of the most important in the Netherlands and even is watched every year in most of channels of the country. On the other hand, the name of the saint in Dutch is "Sinterklaas" and would become internationally recognized as "Santa Claus", in 1809, when the writer "Washington Irving" wrote his satire "History of New York". Then, another man wrote a poem with that name; a person who give toys to children every year, but described him as a thin man.

We had to wait to half of the nineteenth century, when "Thomas Nast", a famous German artist, change the Nicholas´ face and he create a man who has a big white beard and a prominent belly, as we know it today. He put the clothes of priests and Nicholas at that time it looked nothing like that first Saint Nicholas of Bari (in terms of clothing), and finally the tradition was internationalized going to England and then to France where also mixed with "Bonhomme Noel ", came to Spain. At that time also the history change because now people said that Santa Claus came from the North Pole and not as Nicholas from Spain.
It´s a big lie that Coca-Cola was the company that changed the color of Santa Claus, because we can see the beginning of the legend of Saint Nicholas how he dressed with predominantly red and white clothes and also in many other paintings along history. What happened? The reason by which people think that Coca-Cola was which changed Nicholas color is very simple. In 19th century, most of people drew Santa Claus with green clothes, but not everybody; so, when the company used red and white colors again in spots, people thought that. Coca-Cola helped to end up being red Santa Claus today, but it wasn´t the first to put it.

Speaking of relationship between Saint Nicholas and Poland, I have to remember how I said earlier that Saint Nicholas is the patron of this country and that this party of giving a little and not expensive present, still exists here. They also give away as most of the world, the twenty-fourth day of December, but they don´t forget 6th. Saint Nicholas Day, or as they say in Polish "Święty Mikołaj" is a useful day to remember many people who we meet.

We can´t forget that Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are not the same person, although they have the same origin in Saint Nicholas of Bari. Saint Nicholas lives in Spain, and Santa Claus in the North Pole. Furthermore, while Santa Claus comes in sleigh, Saint Nicholas uses the steamboat. Finally, if Santa Claus gives presents by himself , "Sinterklaas" has some black people helping him. And I have to say that the Polish people don´t like that Saint Nicholas, a Turkish bishop with red cape, is compared with Santa Claus.

In Poland, this party of December 6th, called "Mikolaja", makes that relatives dress with white beard and red suit and visit typical homes to leave presents for children under the pillow. It´s also typical of this day that Saint Nicholas give a dry stick instead sweet coal to children whose behavior is bad. Additionally, another tradition is that people can´t eat meat until midnight.

On the other hand, boys dress of bishops and they beg to give it poor people on the streets. Polish people help until they can, not only on this day, but always it is an important reminder that this altruistic feeling is present nowadays. Many restaurants also offer special cheaper deals to let people who can´t normally go to eat because of the price, they can forget it for a day and can enjoy a good meal and service.

In conclusion, Saint Nicholas day is one of those days when oneself feels better and can smile. It promote important characteristics of society and is worth mentioning. I´m glad that this kind of days exists from the point of view of the features promotes.

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