Saint Nicolas - Our Patron Saint

The historical Saint Nicolas (often spelled "Nicholas") was Bishop of Myra in south-west Turkey in the fourth century AD. Although there are many legends about him, it is difficult to find reliable facts about him. He had a reputation as a healer, as a theologian and as a generous and charitable Christian leader. He was thought to be one of the bishops summoned to the Council of Nicea (AD 387), where he sided with the Trinitarian theologian Athanasius against Arius. There is, however, little historical evidence to support this tradition.

Among the many legends is the tale of St. Nicolas giving three bags of gold as marriage dowries for three unmarried girls in order to save them from prostitution. This is thought to be the origin of the three golden balls that became the symbol of St. Nicolas (seen in the banners of our web pages), and later of pawnbrokers.

Another legend tells of St. Nicolas raising three dead boys to life after they had been murdered by a butcher and pickled in tubs of brine. Yet another recounts his miraculous rescue of three sailors off the coast of Turkey.

St. Nicolas' generosity is most well known through the traditional figure of "Santa Claus" who is said to travel on Christmas Eve to leave presents for poor children at Christmas, punishing children who have been naughty and rewarding those who have been good.

St. Nicolas is the patron saint of Russia as well as of children, sailors, pawnbrokers, unmarried girls, merchants, perfumiers and apothecaries. Benjamin Britten's cantata Saint Nicolas recounts many of the legends about him. Our church is one of around 400 in England which were dedicated to him.

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Page last updated on 14th March 2008.