European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Children along the Street and on the float watch As goofy joins in the Holiday Parade. A float representing the Winter circus passes in review. Basilica of St. Nicola in Bari. Pilgrims flocked to the Church and Nicholas eventually emerged As one of catholicism s most popular saints. He is the Patron of Russia for example As Well As Greece new York City and of course Lorraine. Nancy owes much of its close connection with the Saint to the nearby town of St. Nicholas Cle port. In the late 11th Century a resident of port convinced the italians to part with one of Nicholas Finger tips and the relic was installed in the town s Chapel. The Finger attracted legions of pilgrims to the Chapel which was eventually replaced by a magnificent gothic Cathedral named for Nicholas and port prospered. The thirty years War heavily damaged the town and most of its Commerce and Many of its traditions moved to Nancy. But the Cathedral and the relic which is kept in a jewelled replica of Nicholas Arm remain a must see for anyone tracing the Nicholas Story in the Nancy area. Dutch emigrants would eventually take their version of the St. Nicholas legend to America and their sinter Klaas would go on to become our Santa Claus. Many european countries eventually re imported St. Nick but he is a new character linked to Christmas and not dec. 6. In France for example he s called pore Noel or father Christmas. Nicholas along with several other saints lost his feast Day in 1 969. According to the Church Calendar the group is honoured collectively on Jan. 1, but Don t try to Tell that to the people of photos by Lynda Davidson december 19, 1991 stripes Magazine
