Melissa Cleeman - Saint Nicholas: The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Children, Educational Version

By Melissa Cleeman

A LearningIsland.com

15 - Minute Book

On a book about a SaintNicholas, I dedicate this to my brother Nicholas...who thinks he'sa Saint.

Editor: Jennifer Robinson

Smashwords Edition

Text (c) Copyright 2012 Melissa Cleeman. Allrights reserved.

Published by LearningIsland.com. All rightsreserved.

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Saint Nicholas: The Man Who Became thePatron Saint of Children / Melissa Cleeman

Summary: A biography of Saint Nicholas, theman who became the Patron Saint of children

1. Saint Nicholas. Juvenile Literature. 2.Christmas. Juvenile Literature. 3. Catholicism. JuvenileLiterature.

Words: 2776

Reading Level: 6.9

Ages 8 and up.

SAINT NICHOLAS

Have you ever wondered where the legend ofSanta Claus or Father Christmas came from? Maybe youve heard ofthe Saint Nicholas who is a patron saint and known as the Guardianof Children. He is one of the most popular and celebrated saintsthroughout the world.

Many years ago there really was a man namedNicholas who became a saint. In this story, we discover how a richorphan became one of the most generous and widely-accepted saintstoday.

A Saint to Many

Saint Nicholas is one of the most popularfigures in Christianity. He was a much loved saint throughoutEurope during medieval times. Today, he is a saint to many peoplefrom many different religions.

He is known as the patron saint for sailors,women seeking marriage and innocent victims. But he is best knownas the Patron Saint of children.

During the Middle Ages, Saint Nicholaspopularity grew from its origins in Greece. He became the patronsaint of many cities throughout Europe and Russia.

Everything about Saint Nicholas is quiteremarkable, from his life before the church and how he becameBishop to the many stories about him while alive and afterdeath.

Russian Icon

Early Life and Becoming Bishop Nicholas

The exact date of Nicholas birth isunknown. It is believed he was born somewhere between 260 and 280ADin a Greek village called Patara. This area is now on the southerncoast of Turkey.

His family was very wealthy. Nicholas wasraised as a devout Christian.

When he was a child, Nicholas' parents diedof a disease outbreak, leaving him with a large fortune. Somestories say he went to live with his uncle, or with monks or in anorphanage. All the stories say that, instead of keeping all themoney, Nicholas used it to help the needy and the sick. Thisstarted his reputation as a generous, caring person who helpedothers.

When he grew up, Nicholas became a bishop.The way he became a bishop was unusual. The last Bishop of Myra hadpassed away. All the other bishops got together to try and selectthe new Bishop.

Later that night, the wisest of all thebishops heard a voice. It told him that the first person to enterthe church named Nicholas would be their new bishop. The next day,he told the other bishops and instructed them to attend theirprayers while he waited by the door. The first person to walk intothe church was a young man, around 30 years of age.

The wise bishop asked, Who are you?

I am Nicholas, the man replied.

The bishop led Nicholas to the bishops seatand sat him down. Nicholas became Bishop of Myra.

Nicholas and the Storm

In those days people of the Mediterraneanoften traveled by sea. There are many stories of Nicholas atsea.

The most popular of these stories, is whenhe was a young priest coming home from the Holy Land. A wild stormbroke out, threatening to destroy the ship and everyone on board.The sailors were terrified; certain they would meet their doom.Nicholas calmly prayed. The sailors stared in amazement as the windeased and the storm disappeared.

Sailors told this and many other stories ofNicholas. The stories quickly spread throughout the ports andharbors of Greece. Soon, Nicholas was known in countries he hadnever been to, by people he had never met.

Icons of Saint Nicholas and churchesdedicated to him were built at many seaports around Greece. Soonother ports and harbors around the world built them. Sailors wouldpray for a safe journey on the sea and give thanks on their safereturn home. Instead of wishing each other, Good luck, sailorswould say, May Saint Nicholas hold the tiller.

The dowry for the three virgins - Gentile daFabriano, c. 1425

Nicholas and the Poor Man's Daughters

Another popular story is how Nicholas helpeda poor man and his daughters. A long time ago, a womans familyneeded to provide a dowry. A dowry was something of value to offera potential son-in-law. This could be gold, jewelry, land anything that symbolized the young womans wealth. Women without adowry found it difficult to get married. Without a husband it wasvery difficult for a woman to survive. The only real job open tothem was prostitution.

This poor farmer had three daughters and nodowries to offer. His situation was getting so desperate, heconsidered selling one of his daughters into slavery.

Nicholas heard about the familys strugglesand wanted to help. One night, when everyone was asleep, he threw abag of gold through the farmers open window. It landed in astocking left hanging by the fireplace to dry. When the farmer wokethe next morning, he couldnt believe it. One daughter was saved!The next night, Nicholas returned. He threw another bag of goldthrough the open window. It too landed in a stocking above thefireplace. The farmer was overjoyed. He wanted to thank the personresponsible for saving two of his daughters.

On the third night, the farmer caughtNicholas in the act. Nicholas told the farmer to keep it a secret.However, the farmer told everyone how Nicholas saved his family.The story went from city to city, country to country, just like thesailors stories.

Today, on the 6th of December,women wishing to marry visit Basilica di San Nicola in Barli,Italy. There they pray to Saint Nicholas bones and leave a noteand three coins in a box.

Saint Nicholas Saves Three Innocents fromDeath - oil painting by Ilya Repin, 1888, State Russian Museum