Christmas 2001

St. Nicholas

In Luxembourg and the neighbouring areas, children wait impatiently each year for the morning of 6 December. It is during the night before this feast day that St. Nicholas, accompanied by his old donkey loaded with toys and sweets and by "Père Fouettard" – a truly frightening character, dressed in rags and carrying a tattered sack full of whips – brings his presents to well-behaved children.

Historical personality

St. Nicholas is an historical personality who was born around 270 in Patara, a coastal town in present-day Turkey. He was the beneficiary of a rich inheritance and dedicated himself to helping the poor and especially oppressed children.

Numerous legends

Numerous legends have been attributed to the man who would later become bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. All these legends describe him as a man of unusual generosity who formed a strong bond to impoverished children.
After his death on 6 December 345, his popularity continued to grow until, in the Middle Ages, Nicholas became the patron saint of children, travellers, sailors, merchants, fishermen and the poor. His tomb can be found in Bari (Italy).