Nicholas

The Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas in Canberra, Australia, was a hub of joy and tradition on Sunday as hundreds of parishioners gathered for the annual St Nicholas Paniyiri (festival), The Greek Herald reports.

Today, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, known as the Wonderworker, with a holiday widely referred to as St. Nicholas Day or in Bulgaria: "Nikulden"/"Никулден". One of Christianity's most venerated saints, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, and maritime professionals, including captains, engineers, and dock workers.

Bulgarians across the country observed the Day of Saint Nicholas on December 6, known as Nikulden, commemorating the revered figure of St. Nicholas of Myra. Originating from Patara in Asia Minor in the 3rd century, St. Nicholas led a pious life, aiding the destitute and weak while embodying the principles of faith and truth.

The white-bearded Christian saint whose acts of generosity inspired America's secular Santa Claus figure is known worldwide - but Saint Nicholas' origin story is not.

The legends surrounding jolly old St Nicholas - celebrated annually on December 6 - go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children.

WHO WAS ST NICHOLAS?

An excavation team has unearthed the exact place of the tomb of Saint Nicholas, also known as "Santa Claus," and the floor on which he walked, inside the St. Nicholas Church in the southern province of Antalya's Demre district.

Thousands of Bulgarians have a name day today, sailors and bankers celebrate as well, the Church honors St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker of Myra. St. Nicholas Day is also the day of the Bulgarian city Burgas.

The name means "winner", name day celebrate people with the names: Nikola, Nikolay, Nikolina, Nikoleta, Nina, Kolyo and their derivatives.

The opening of St. Nicholas was one of the highlights of the twelve-day official visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States

Tourists explore the St. Nicholas Church in Turkey's southern province of Antalya. It is notable for being the burial place of St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Christian bishop of the ancient city of Myra, an important religious figure for Eastern Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics and the historical inspiration for Santa Claus.

The Day of St Nicholas (Nikola), also known as Wonderworker, the patron of fisherman, sailors, merchants and bankers, is being marked nationwide by Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria on Wednesday, December 06.

While the festive city illumination is being set up these days, a 14.5-meter-high Christmas tree is already placed on Tito Square, and the ice rink will be set up next week. The latter will come to life on Friday, 1 December, at 5 pm, when the Municipality of Koper will officially enter into the Magical December with its magical events.