Santa Claus was inspired by a real person who fought against injustice

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SANTA CLAUS is based on a real historical figure of St. Nicholas, a Byzantine bishop born in present-day Turkey. Because of the strange legends and miracles attributed to him he became one of the most famous saints in Europe.

Dutch immigrants probably spread his fame to the US and there the patron saint of children was transformed through books, magazines and films into the familiar Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, the figure we know today.

There is a story about St. Nicholas everyone knows – the one about him who gives gifts to the poor at night – the story of the origin of Santa Claus. But there is another story that is probably less known to most of us.

It is the story of how Nicholas fought against miscarriages of justice. The story begins when a local businessman goes to meet the governor of the province. For reasons unknown to history, he wants the execution of three innocent men, Nepotian, Ursyna and Apollyn. The governor, a notoriously dishonest man named Eustathios, is more than happy to help.

The first document on the life of Nicholas is found in the book Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graecaand is believed to have been written in the early 9th century^th century by Michael the Archimandrite. It suggests that once the bribe was paid, the men were sentenced to death.

Word of what was happening reached Nicholas and he ran to the square. Just as the executioner raised his sword to dispatch the first prisoner, Nicholas threw himself between the executioner and the condemned man. Seizing the murderer’s arm, he tore the sword free, freeing the innocent men and setting them free.

Then he reprimanded the governor. Faced with Nicholas’ righteous anger, Eustathios fell to his knees and repented, promising to change his ways, sources suggest.

This is a very different image of St. Nicholas than most people are familiar with at 21^St a century. This is not kind and humble 4^thThe bishop of the century, the proto-Santa Claus. Instead, this is an action hero, St. Nicholas who is not afraid to face the killer’s sword.

As bishop of Myra – a coastal city in what is now Turkey – St. Nicholas was the leading Christian figure in a kingdom that was growing concerned with the growing power of Christianity.

Roman emperor Diocletian decided it was time to send a message. He ordered the torture of any Christian who refused to worship the Roman gods. It let go of the reign of fear. Nicholas was one of those who were arrested and tortured. Diocletian’s persecution lasted between eight and 10 years.

When Bishop Nicholas was finally released, he was a changed man. Risking his life to people he had never met was only possible because he knew what it was like to be innocent and have your freedom taken away.

So, although the story of St. Nicholas secretly giving out bags of gold to a poor family should be remembered and ultimately the inspiration for the funny, soft-cheeked Santa Claus, there are other aspects to this character.

Nicholas was a rich man so when he gave his gold it was an act of kindness but he couldn’t afford anything. That he chose to do so anonymously showed his humility. These were the actions of a compassionate bishop, of a man who would soon be praised, then famous, and finally a saint.

And as centuries passed, the legend of St. Nicholas would grow and grow – as there would be a force to be reckoned with. From controlling the weather to appearing to Roman emperors in dreams, there seemed to be little St. Nicholas could not do it.

He became the guardian of children, pawnbrokers, single women, sailors, turned criminals, students, businessmen and many European cities. And of course, he would eventually be reimagined as Santa Claus.

But there is something about the story of the release of three innocent men and Nicholas’s fight for justice that stands out against all the decorations, Christmas movies and fairy tales. It is a legend that shows how and why the legend of Nicholas spread around the world. – Interview via Reuters Connect

Brian Thornton is senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Winchester.