Saint Nicholas was born around the year 280 in Patara, a city in Lycia. At the age of 19, he was ordained a priest by his uncle, who was also named Nicholas, and later became abbot of the Sion Monastery near Myra.
Numerous legends surround his person and his miraculous deeds. In one well-known tale, he saved three innocent citizens from death when a greedy official condemned them in an attempt to seize their property. Nicholas rushed to the execution site, where the executioner had already drawn his sword, snatched it from him, and rebuked the unjust judge.
Another tradition tells of a Jewish merchant who placed an image of Saint Nicholas in his house to protect his property. When his house was nevertheless robbed, he angrily struck the image. Saint Nicholas then appeared to the thieves, bearing the marks of his blows, and demanded that they return the stolen goods.
There are also stories of sailors who met Nicholas on their journey to Myra. He warned them about a dangerous oil they were unknowingly transporting—Greek fire, which burns on water and stones. On his advice, they poured it into the sea, whereupon the entire surface of the water was engulfed in flames.
In another story, a father and son made a pilgrimage to Myra to donate a valuable chalice to the church. Along the way, he opted for a cheaper substitute. When the son tried to draw water with the original chalice, he fell overboard. Miraculously, he later reappeared in the Church of St. Nicholas with the original chalice and reported that the saint had saved him.
These and many other tales have contributed to the fact that St. Nicholas Day is still celebrated on December 6th today, bringing joy to thousands of children.