There really was a St. Nicholas — you may be surprised to hear. He was a fourth-century bishop in Asia Minor. Europeans have long observed December 6 as St. Nicholas Day, but the tradition never took hold in America. This charming volume presents little-known legends and tales from Russia, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Germany, Holland, France, Italy, and Armenia----to name a few of the countries represented in this book. While slimmer than jolly old Santa, the historical saint is much larger in character. Celebrated as protector of the wronged and patron saint of children, Nicholas is, in essence, a Western bodhisattva: an enlightened being who serves those in need. This book restores him as an important lost archetype of the Wise Old Man, clustering stories according to such appealing themes as rescuing, nurturing, outwitting evil, and healing. Louise Carus spent two years researching and translating material to bring us the best collection available in English. It will delight parents, educators, community organizers, story lovers, and others eager to decommercialize and resanctify the holidays. Indeed, the generous spirit of the real St. Nicholas can inspire us any day of the year.
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From Publishers Weekly
As the patron saint of pharmacists, brides, prisoners and bakers, Saint Nicholas has become a footnote of history. But as the patron saint of children, he lives on in a spirit of generosity known the world over. This book recounts many of those tales of open-handed bounteousness, beginning with a true story: after the destruction of the World Trade Center, the mayor of Bari, Italy, sent half a million dollars to restore the St. Nicholas church in lower Manhattan, which had been wrecked by falling debris. The cities of Bari and Manhattan both have Nicholas as their patron saint. Other stories, drawn from legends across Europe, speak to the saint's avuncular character and largesse, and to the way his example inspires ordinary people to undertake extraordinary acts of charity. Full-color illustrations and photos of contemporary celebrations of the saint's feast day (December 6) complement the engaging text.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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There was once a nobleman in Myra who had become so poor he could not even provide food for his three daughters. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
heathen dragon, spice cookie Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Marko the Rich Man, Nicholas Day, Van Amsterdam, Saint Nicholas, Christmas Eve, Fra Angelico, Molsch Talpasch, Farmer Leitner, Christ Child, Lord God, Matthew Leitner, John the Deacon, Father Christmas, Great Yarmouth Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
There was once a nobleman in Myra who had become so poor he could not even provide food for his three daughters. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
heathen dragon, spice cookie Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Marko the Rich Man, Nicholas Day, Van Amsterdam, Saint Nicholas, Christmas Eve, Fra Angelico, Molsch Talpasch, Farmer Leitner, Christ Child, Lord God, Matthew Leitner, John the Deacon, Father Christmas, Great Yarmouth Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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