Anotated links from a Cleveland area obsessive coffee drinker, avid quotation collector, voracious internet content consumer, amatuer social network analyzer, and armchair economic developer. Recently referred to as a "web activist".
To commemorate
'The Feast of the Nativity', more commonly known as Christmas, I thought I point out some things about
Saint Nicholas, who I think is the basis of our modern version of Santa Claus
- Saint Nicholas was born in Patara of Lycia about the middle of the third century, of devout and wealthy parents who provided him with a Christian upbringing and education. He was orphaned at an early age.
- Later he was ordained a priest, and when the bishop of his district died, he was made Bishop of Myra of Lycia.
- Saint Nicholas is distinguished for his great faith, for his struggle in the name of Orthodoxy and especially for his charity.
- His faith was so great, that with his prayer he calmed a stormy sea while on a trip to the Holy Lands. For this reason sailors pay homage to him as their protector.
- He fought for the predominance of Orthodoxy and took part in the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicea.
- Especially well known is his charity and his love for children. He used his great wealth to relieve all who were in need: poor families, widows, and especially orphans and poor children. For this same purpose he founded, as Bishop, a poorhouse, hostelries, and a hospital.
- He was the personification of Christian love and affection. As such he is honored by all the Christian world, both the Eastern and the Western.
- In the West especially he is considered as the great patron Saint of children and the cheerful giver of gifts under the name Santa Claus.
- For some of us Saint Nicholas is a "Canon of faith and an image of goodness and kindness."