Christmas holidays in Europe begin with Saint Nicholas Day, which is celebrated on December 6th. On this day, Catholics honor the memory of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of travelers and children.
The holiday has religious roots and centuries-old traditions among different peoples. Little is known about the earthly life of St. Nicholas from historical chronicles. He was born in the territory of modern Turkey, around 270, and rested on December 6, 342.
From a young age, Nicholas devoted himself to serving God, was the bishop of the city of Myra, for which he was nicknamed Nicholas of Myra. During the persecution of Christians, Nicholas was imprisoned, where he spent eight whole years. While imprisoned, despite torture, he continued to preach Christianity. Only after Emperor Constantine came to power did the persecution of Christians stop, and the bishop again began to rule his flock. He was also a participant in the first Ecumenical Council, held in 325 in Nicaea.
It is known from historical sources that Bishop Nicholas acted as a defender of three Byzantines unjustly sentenced to death. The people have legends about other good deeds of the saint, passed down from generation to generation. They tell the story of how Saint Nicholas helped the poor and disadvantaged, and secretly threw coins and food at children in shoes displayed outside the door. Another legend tells how he helped a poor girl marry her lover by giving her money for a dowry.
In the 10th century, in Cologne Cathedral, on the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas on December 6, sweets began to be distributed to students of the parochial school. And later in Germany, shoes or socks began to be hung in houses so that St. Nicholas would put gifts for the children there. These traditions quickly spread throughout Europe.
True, only obedient children receive gifts on this day, and rods await the disobedient. But while waiting for the holiday, children try not to play pranks, and no one is left without gifts from St. Nicholas.