Saint Nicholas Day, or the Feast of Saint Nicholas, is observed on 6 December or on the evening of 5 December in Western Christian nations, and on 19 December in Eastern Christian countries using the old church Calendar.

A 4th century bishop of Myra in Roman Greece noted for his generosity, Saint Nicholas has become the patron saint of Russia and Greece, of sailors and children, and the inspiration for Santa Claus.

Most commonly observed with Mass in Catholic churches and special services in Protestant congregations, Saint Nicholas Day is also observed by children placing shoes in the foyer before bedtime in the hope of finding coins in the soles come morning.

Little is known about the real-life Nicholas. He was probably born around 280 CE in the Lycian seaport city of Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. It has been suggested that he was born to wealthy Christian parents, and following Jesus’ teachings, he used his entire inheritance to help the needy and sick.

While still a young man, Nicholas traveled to Palestine and Egypt. Soon after returning to Lycia, he became bishop of Myra. 

When the Roman Emperor Diocletian began his persecution of Christians in 303 CE, Nicholas was imprisoned and likely tortured. Later, in 325 CE, he may have attended the First Council of Nicaea, a council of Christian bishops convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine I (the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity). Nicholas’ name appears on some of the lists of attendees and, being the bishop of Myra, it would make sense that he was in attendance, although perhaps not as one of the more influential participants. According to legend, it was at the Council of Nicaea that Nicholas struck the heretic priest Arius in the face for arguing that Jesus the Son of God was not equal to God the Father.

The date of Nichola’s death is disputed, but generally considered to be December 6, 343 CE. If correct, St. Nicholas would have been over 60 years old when he died.