The Real Saint Nicholas

Nicholas lived in Myra, a town in what is now Turkey. His parents died when he was very young, and they left him a lot of money. But Nicholas didn't often think of himself.

He spent that money on other people. One well-known story says that Nicholas knew a family who didn't have any money and was prepared to sell their daughter. One night, Nicholas dropped a bag full of gold coins through an open window of that family's home. In the morning, the family found out they were rich!

Nicholas never told the family that he had given them the money. He even secretly gave them enough money for all three daughters to get married.

He was very generous to other people as well and was a favorite of the children of Myra. He is said to have died on December 6, which is why the the Feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on that day.

Saint Nicholas is now known as the patron saint of children.