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The Original Santa Claus - St. Nicholas
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The original Santa Claus, named St. Nicholas, was a real person who became a minor saint in the Catholic Church. He was born in Turkey during the 4th century. The only child of a wealthy family, he became an orphan when both parents died of the plague. He was sent to live in a monastery and became a priest at the young age of 17. He eventually became a bishop and wore the required red and white robes and long, flowing beard - the first Santa suit.
There are many stories about him gaving his wealth to the poor, especially children. Legends tell of him dropping bags of gold down chimneys and throwing bags through windows where they landed in the stockings hanging up to dry at the fireplace.
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Instead of bags of gold, St. Nicholas probably handed out fruit, nuts, hard candies, wood and religious statues. But, because of his generosity and love for children, he became their patron saint - and eventually Santa Claus. He also became the patron saint of several countries (Russia, Greece and Sicily), and the Dutch made him their "protector of sailors".
St. Nicholas will always be known as the original Santa Claus, but he is also famous for other things. His statue was on the prow of the first Dutch ship that arrived in America. The first church built in New York City was named after him. And he has become the patron saint of charitable fraternities, unmarried girls, merchants, and pawnbrokers
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