St. Nicolas day

St. Nicholas (Nicholas the Wonderworker, Nikolai the Sinner) was Archbishop of Lycia. He was rich and helped poor people. One of the most famous legends associated with St. Nicholas, says that one poor man had three daughters. He was so poor that he could not provide them with dowries, and, therefore, and marry.

Nicholas (at that time he was not yet a bishop) learned about this and decided use the father's inheritance to help girls. Three nights in a row he threw himself into the room where the sisters slept, a piece of gold (one version - through the window, the other - through the chimney).

So each daughter of a poor man received a dowry. But they did not know to whom they owed their dowry, because Nikolai preferred to remain anonymous. Nikolay continued to help poor townspeople, imperceptibly bringing warm clothes and toys to their children and medicines to sick people.

In memory of this, it is customary for children to give gifts - they are put under a pillow or (in Catholiccountries) in a slipper standing by the bed, or a sock hanging over a fireplace). It is believed that St. Nicholas brings gifts only to obedient children, and disobediently gets knitted rod or coal. He has a book in which the names of children are written, worthy or unworthy of a gift. But, of course, in fact gifts are received by everyone.

This tradition originated in medieval Germany,where parents on the eve of the holiday gave children winter clothes (Catholics celebrate the day of St. Nicholas December 6, early winter). Over time, gifts began to be given in secret, so that the children believed that St. Nicholas himself brought them, and the place of clothing was occupied with treats, toys, school supplies, etc. Toys are put in a stocking hanging by the fireplace, or in a slipper standing by the bed.

In Catholic countries, children believe that St. Nicholas comes with a donkey, so put straw or carrots next to the shoes for a small helper. It was St. Nicholas became the prototype of Santa Claus and other similar characters in the cultures of different countries and peoples.

In some countries it is believed that St. Nicholas comes not alone, but with helpers. So, in the Czech Republic they believe that the saint is accompanied by a devil and an angel. Each of them has a book in which good and bad deeds committed by each child are recorded. Based on these records, St. Nicholas decides whether the child is worthy to receive a gift this year.

And in Holland, the children believed that St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) arrives in Rotterdam by ship from a distant and warm Spain and drives into the city on horseback accompanied by "Black Pit"(Assistants-nigrit), and from there sent to deliver gifts throughout the country. By the way, it was the Dutch Sinterklaas in North America that gradually transformed into Santa Claus.

Over time, children in different countries began write letters to the saintin which they listed the good deeds committed during the year, asked for forgiveness for bad deeds and described what kind of gift they want to receive on the day of St. Nicholas.

Ukraine has its own traditions associated with this day. Earlier in the villages the senior owners gatheredcook wheat beer, and after that, having fun with songs, went on sleighs through the village. In Kharkov, three-day Christmas-days were celebrated, which, like Christmas, were cooked with kutya and Uzvar, so that next year rye and fruits were born. Throughout Ukraine, dinners were organized in honor of Nicholas the Miracle-Worker with the preparation of ritual beer and honey. And on Podillia on St. Nicholas day they waited for a "do-it-yourself": the man who first entered the house promised wealth and happiness throughout the year.

St. Nicholas Day is one of the most reveredChristian holidays. On this day the Christmas fast is weakened, and the believers are allowed to eat fish. In memory of kindness, mercy and love for one's neighbor, which St. Nicholas showed all his life, To this holiday are often timed various charitable actions.