12/17/2020
Did you know that “Old St. Nick” was born in Turkey? Saint Nicholas of Myra, the historical figure who would go on to inspire Santa Claus, was born and lived in Roman-ruled Asia Minor, in what is now Antalya, Turkey, in the 3rd + 4th century C.E..
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🎅🏼 According to Wikipedia, “his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through.... Dutch traditions regarding Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas). When the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam [present-day New York], they brought the legend and traditions of Sinterklaas with them.” In the “New World” these traditions were influenced over time by the (originally unrelated) British character of Father Christmas and the Germanic god Wodan, patron of Yule (think long white beard and flights across the sky assisted by mystical animals). Eventually the Santa story grew into what we know today, a “right jolly old elf”.
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📸 I snapped these pictures in the ruins of a church dedicated to St. Nicholas in Aydın, outside of the site of the ancient Greek city of Priene.
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P.S. 👗 Our 10% off coupon is still live. Snag it now for a last-minute gift!
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