European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 26, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Anta family tre rooted in Turkey by Malcolm Donahoo Magazine editor one of i lit1 inns enduring endearing traditions of Christmas the leg mid of St. No Holas in a Root in the some 16 centuries ago nit Holas was born in and 27 i in Myr i Turkey a Liny i Wastal Village opposite the Isle of Rhodes i be was Ihu Only Ion of wealthy parents. As .1 Young Man an orphan Nicholas entered if Priesthood taking the vow of poverty Mil using i inheritance to help us needy. Uler As the Bishop if Myra. I was known for his lets of Charity. When Nicholas died in a a i52, his body was enshrined in in the Church which still dears his name. But his remains were stolen in iuh7 and in a Ipi Bah in Bari. Italy. The l , wins const Caleri in lot by Popp ii. Nicholas tht1 a Lynn Saint of i Rajini children the poor Anri . Miracles wort ally Butl d to him. His in a Central figure of if Chris Lens season came slowly is his Story was adopted am by various cultures As it spread across the Globe. One version reached America in ii wily 160 a Vilh the arrive of the dutch immigrants. Their legend was of sinter i who delivered gifts on he night of Dee. 6, Riding a White Charger. English settlers also were a major influence bringing with them 1o Ihu new world their stories of father Christmas. Later author Washington Irving played a key Rok. The Man who wrote the left dirt of sleepy hollow also recounted the dutch tales of sinter Klass in Knickerbocker s history of new Vork telling of no. I Lis classic poem a Visil r Tim St. Nil a Ritten fur his year old ? in u1j i per prayed ,i is .1 Jolly old i of ferried Thrinh lie skors in .1 Sofij Pulu re l y Reinli i a. Anci in the jh6 is t undo Wiist Thinas s drawings helped americans visuali/i1 is i portly old Rel in a red Suil trimmed in White tur. Ovir he Yter. Is. has by Iii me Mure com mainly known in the United is .i Claus. In his North pole workshop is my i Lulu knows ii i s produce Christmas Fri a. In Rve tin Loys it into s strip Fri. His flying Reindeer Are harnessed. Ant he s Oil tin ii whirl Dirle it jul deliver in presents from House in or mesh the is. Nit knots n to Drupe bears so in i semblance to 5.inla Claus though they have i flowing White in common. St. In is i Long lean figure who the Robes of ,1 roman a look Bishop Aorl carries a staff. Nor does St. Nicholas wait As Long is does in put in his yearly appearance. St. Nic nikes his House Calls Germany on the night of dec. It the anniversary of the death of the Riding ii Snow White Charger Down Frimi the , me drops his gifts Down chimneys or Puls them in Shin s that children leave outside their doors. In Germany and elsewhere in Europe however St. Nicholas is nol seen As the primary christinas Gill i Iver. I 1,11 role is reserved for the Christ c Hild. In some German Homes 51. Nic hulas will pay his Visil before the youngsters have Gime to bed. He is Apt to he accompanied by his fearsome servant generally known As Knecht Rupprecht. In Holland in s Black Peler in the role of switch Carrier is. Nicholas carries the Golden Book of heaven in which children s deeds Are recorded. He May scold or Praise them As their behaviour warrants. For some there Are rewards of Candy fruit Siml nuts for others there is the Prosper i of Rupprecht s switches. At for left at if it $1, fur option i his shots fit fining ois 12 Tori put mtg Zint novt Mytr 16, 1987
