The Strange and Modern Miracle of St Nicholas’ Icon

 

Turkish Professor Calls for the Return of Saint Nicholas' Bones to Turkey

Akdeniz University (AÜ) Archaeology professor Nevzat Çevik has called on the Vatican to return to Turkey the bones of Saint Nicholas (the original Santa Claus), which were taken out of the country in 1087, in an interview with Anatolia news agency.

Myra - St. Nicholas Church

Çevik said the bones of Saint Nicholas were taken from Turkey "by force" to be buried in a church in the Bari province of Italy, and should be returned to the place where the saint lived.

"This has nothing to do with tourism. Returning his bones to his grave in Demre [a town in the southern province of Antalya] is a human wish," Çevik said, adding that Saint Nicholas would himself like to be buried in the funerary chapel next to his church in Demre.

In the interview, Çevik also expressed his satisfaction at the return of a number of artifacts to Turkey through the initiative of the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

"Saint Nicholas is also important for the Muslim world, despite belonging to a period before the arrival of Islam. He was trying to spread Christianity, which was also a religion sent by God," he said.

Çevik also emphasized the importance of the Saint Nicholas Church in Demre as a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years.

Saint Nicholas was born in the Aegean region and he lived in ancient town of Myra, in Lycia, which is today called Demre. The Saint Nicholas Church was built in the 4th century A.D., and is now a museum that attracts scores of visitors, especially Orthodox tourists.

Unusual Christmas Traditions Around the World: Romania Christmas Traditions and Costum (PHOTOS)

Our Father among the Saints Nicholas the Wonderworker

There was a man who deeply desired a son. He prayed to Saint Nicholas, asking his help that God grant him a son. The man promised to bring the son to church and together they would l

eave a fine gold cup on the altar in a St. Nicholas church. A son was born and when he was old enough, the man commissioned a very fine gold cup. The finished cup was so exceptional that the man could not bear to give it up. So he commissioned a second cup.

As they sailed to the Church of St. Nicholas, the boy, with the precious cup, fell into the water. Alas, he was lost, drawn down into the water and could not be found.

Filled with grief, the man continued to the church. When he came to the altar, he placed the second cup on the altar. Just as he set it down, it fell to the floor. He set it on the altar again, and, again, it fell, this time even further from the altar. A third time, he placed it on the altar; again it fell, even further than before.

People were amazed and came to see the cup. Every time it was put on the altar, it flew off, as if thrown. As they watched, the son, who had fallen into the sea, came into the church, carrying the original cup. He told how he'd fallen into the water, sinking down beneath the waves until Saint Nicholas came, keeping him from harm.

The father rejoiced and placed both golden cups on the altar. This time they stayed.