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Myra (Demre) (2)
Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius.
The center of the basilica of S. Nicholas at Myra. Photo Jona Lendering. In the fourth century, the venerable bishop Nicholas of Myra was one of the most influential leaders in the Christian church. According to an old legend, he was born in nearby Patara and played a role during the theological discussion on the nature of Christ. After his death, Nicholas became the patron saint of the sailors, and seafaring nations and towns (e.g., Russia and Amsterdam). For centuries, pilgrims came to visit his his tomb, which was situated in the church of Myra. It was rebuilt in the sixth and eighth century. The latest restoration, at the beginning of the twentieth century, was paid by the last tzar, Nicholas II. You can see the church on a satellite photo over here.
A fresco from the basilica, showing the venerable bishop. Photo Jona Lendering. A medieval fresco from the basilica, showing the holy bishop.
The original tomb of the saint. Photo Jona Lendering. One of the possible locations of the original tomb of Nicholas of Myra. In 1087, Italian merchants stole the bones and brought them to Bari in southern Italy. From here, the cult of the saint spread to the western part of Europe.
Mosaic in the basilica of S. Nicholas. Photo Jona Lendering. Medieval mosaic in the basilica of S. Nicholas.
One of the columns of a now destroyed entrance of the church. Photo Jona Lendering. One of the columns of a now destroyed entrance of the church.
A modern statue of Saint Nicholas. Photo Jona Lendering. Because the legend tells that Nicholas once gave gold to three young girls without dowry, it was not unusual to give presents on Saint Nicholas' day, 6 December. In the sixteenth century, the merchants of Amsterdam brought this custom to the New World, to their colony New Amsterdam. When this town had become English in the seventeenth century (it was renamed New York), the inhabitants continued to celebrate "Sinterklaas", which gradually changed into "Santa Claus", whose festival was postponed to 25 December. As Father Christmas, Nicholas is popular all over the world.
The difference between Saint Nicholas (who is still venerated in Amsterdam and the rest of Holland) and the American Santa Claus is that the latter is a mere giver of presents, whereas the Dutch "Sinterklaas" has retained something of the old, venerable bishop, including the possibility to censure someone's behavior. This is, in fact, the difference between ancient Catholicism and the type of Protestantism that changed into capitalism.
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