The day of Saint Nicolas

Let's see, for those that know when this celebration is, it is certain that the day of Saint Nicolas was on the 6th of December and of course, it is not today. But, here in Poland it was a special day and for that reason I see it as an 'obligation' to inform all those who don't know about this day (since in Spain it is not that famous), and although it is a few days late, we cannot pass by the most important dates that happen throughout the year.

The first thing and as it is traditional, I will give you a historical introduction to the theme. In this case the Day of Saint Nicolas and then onto what it means in Poland.

The day of sixth of December comes in commemoration to 'Nicolás de Bari', as he is known in Europe or some places he is known as 'San Nicolás de Myra' (not being the place where they take his remains as in the case of Bari but in which he dies), and it was a Bishop that lived in the III and IV centuries from the year 270 to 345 after Christ. With more than two thousand temples made to his devotion, he is the Patron Saint of countries such as Russia, Turkey and Greece, so his importance is immense.

He was born in Turkey, in the city of Patara and although he was born into a wealthy family, from a young age Nicolas was characterized by his generosity and altruism. His family, Christian in belief and practice, educated him in such manner and at their death, Nicolas, who received a large fortune, helped people who needed it most so they could have a quality of life according to his principles and the following the religion of Jesus; he felt the faithful desire to sympathise with the poorest.

And soon Nicolas saw his style of life and profession in the religion, he decided to become a Priest. And after some time being a priest and after moving to the city of Myra, which is also in Turkey, various Priests and Bishops discussed who would become the next Bishop, deciding that it would be the next Priest to come through the door; something that consecrated Nicholas (with good luck or perhaps magical power), as a bishop.

His mission in life was to spread the Christian religion and he went against the Pagans, to the point in which he burnt the major pagan temple of the city. Through changes in imperial power and with the entrance of a Pagan, Nicolas was placed in prison; something that would change the entrance of a new Christian to the throne.

He was not an expert speaker, Nicolas combated this lack of dowry with the power of amazing charm. People are not clear on exactly what he had, they only knew that they remained like a cloud whenever Nicolas spoke and that it was a good sensation; so he achieved great and sincere conversations. He protected the weakest and there he was as a speaker, with great enthusiasm and charisma, which made him transmit a great deal. And that is one of the things that he did and for which he is fundamentally remembered is that every Christmas he gave toys to the children to remember that it is on this date that we receive the best of Christ. He died in the year 345 but will be the first saint for whom both the West and the East have devotion.

Lastly, before we look at the details of the celebration, I would like to say that Saint Nicolas attributed numerous miracles. Within those is the one where he saved many soldiers from the death penalty; the savour of a child in the Second World War (he only went to the streets where he battled and it was said that after the child was delivered to his mother that it was a man with exactly the same characteristics of San Nicolas, who was not seen by anyone); and lastly, he tells the story of three young people who wanted to get married within a family but they didn't have the economic resources to do so, so San Nicolas left them some money by the fire in some woolen socks that were drying there. From here the tradition has continued to this day and people hang woollen socks to wait for Saint Nicolas (which would evolve into who we now know as Santa Claus), who leaves us an annual present.

Changing a little now and speaking about the celebration of Saint Nicolas, I must say that it has a Dutch origin and it is celebrated on the day of the fifth instead of the sixth like here in Poland. Despite this origin, there are numerous countries that celebrate it such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland among others. And the essential figure of this celebration is that Saint Nicolas brings toys to the children on this day and throughout every year.

According to tradition, Saint Nicolas comes from Spain (the celebration of the sixth of December is not followed much in Spain) every year since 1934, arriving at the coasts of Holland on a steamboat. He disembarks coming down on a white horse and comes accompanied by various black helpers known as 'Pedritos los negros' (The black Peters) and they throw biscuits at people. This celebration is one of the most important in Holland and it is even relayed every year in nearly all of the country's channels. To mention also that the name of the Saint in the Dutch language is 'Sinterklaas' and that has come to be internationally recognised as 'Santa Claus', there in the year 1809, in which the writer 'Washington Irving' wrote his satire 'History of New York', named this Saint but for his coarse Anglosaxon sound 'Santa Claus' instead of the traditional 'Sinterklaas'. And is later that a writer making a poem gave the name of the figure of St. Nicholas in the sense that he gave toys to the children every year, although he described him as a thin little elf.

And it was not until the middle of the XIX century when 'Thomas Nast', a famous German artist, changed the set of features given to him by the writer and created him with a big white beard and a prominent belly, as and how we know him today. He gave him the clothes of Priests at the time and now nothing resembles that first Saint Nicolas of Bari (in terms of clothing); and he was internationalised passing the tradition on to England, then France joining the goodnatured character 'Bonhomme Noel', where he would finish by arriving in Spain. That period also changed the story of the steamboat of Holland and he is said to come from the North Pole pulled by Reindeer.

Denying that it was the Coca-Cola company that changed the Color of Santa Claus, since the beginning the legend of Saint Nicolas clothes were predominately red and white, as well as in lots of other paintings from previous centuries. What happened is that when the character became international and evolved, many opted for the green colour to give a turn in history and to be able to make him famous for it; although Coca-Cola redrew him in red in their adverts and spots in such an overwhelming manner, that this colour was finally adopted in the mid-twentieth century and it was here that it stayed. In short, Coca-Cola helped the Santa Claus of today becoming what he is but it was not Coca-Cola who first created or changed the story.

And speaking of the relationship with Poland, remembering what I said before, Saint Nicolas is a Patron of this country and here there is still a tradition of giving something, although it is a little detail, not too expensive, to your loved ones. Also, they give gifts in a large part of the world on the 25th of December but they do not celebrate the sixth of December, the day of Saint Nicolas or as they say in Poland, 'Święty Mikołaj' to be able to demonstrate to those around us that they remember them.

One must not forget that Saint Nicolas and Santa Claus are not the same people, although they have a strong relationship as I have explained. Saint Nicolas lives in Spain, not the North Pole like Santa Claus. Also, whilst the latter comes in a sled, Saint Nicolas uses a steamboat. Lastly, if Santa Claus comes down and leaves via the chimney; 'Sinterklaas' has helpers called 'Pedritos los negritos' to do it for him. And I have to say that the Poles do not like to compare their St. Nicholas, a Turkish bishop with miter and red cloak, with Santa Claus.

In Poland, this December 6 party, called "Mikolaja", makes some kinsman disguise himself with white beards and his typical red suit and visits the houses to leave gifts for the children under their pillow. It is also typical here that the elders get to work with children, ornaments and garlands; and anyone who behaves badly do not receive charcoal but a dry stick. In addition, another tradition is not to eat meat until after the mass of the rooster.

On the other hand, boys dress up as bishops and ask for donations for the poor on the streets, and the conscience of helping those who need it most is felt in every place you go. The Polish people act and help in any way they can, not only on this day but it serves to remember that there is that altruistic feeling present, of which they feel proud. Many locals also get carried away by this day and offer special offers cheaper, so that for many of those who normally can not go out to eat due to the price, can forget that economic inequality that is found in all developed countries for a day and can enjoy good food and service.

In short, Saint Nicholas Day is one of those days where you feel strong and want to smile. It shows values and is worth mentioning. I am glad there are days like this but not from the point of view of consumerism as many may attribute but from the point of view of the values ​it promotes.

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