Patron saint of sailors: How St Nicholas still characterises Europe's coasts today
Whether in Germany, the Netherlands, Greece or Italy - St Nicholas is celebrated everywhere with its own traditions. Behind it all is the same historical figure, whose origins date back to the fourth century on the coast of Myra.
The legend of St Nicholas
St Nicholas was a bishop in the harbour city in the south of Turkey. He is said to have helped people in need, supported children and families and stood up for his fellow human beings. He himself lived in modesty. This is what the legends that are still told about him today say. After his death, the stories about him spread throughout the Christian world. Even today, they are still told every year on St Nicholas' Day.
Patron saint of sailors
One of the best-known legends about St Nicholas is closely linked to his home town of Myra: In this tale, a ship is caught in a severe storm. The wind tears the sails apart. High waves crash against the hull. The crew loses control of their ship and panics. In their distress, the sailors call for the famous Bishop of Myra and ask for his help.
Suddenly, a strange man appears on board. He takes the helm, adjusts the sails and brings the ship back under control. But when the storm subsides and the ship floats calmly on the water, the stranger has disappeared. After arriving in Myra, the sailors go to the church to give thanks for their rescue. There they see a picture of the very bishop who helped them out of their plight.
It is this story on which the legend of St Nicholas as the patron saint of sailors is based. In many regions of Europe, this has given rise to their very own maritime traditions:
St Nicholas in Germany: customs and sea rescuers
In Germany, the connection between St Nicholas and seafaring remains primarily as a cultural motif. In coastal regions, he is regarded as the patron saint of sailors. The tradition includes regional customs such as putting up small paper boats on St Nicholas' Day. In addition, some churches along the North Sea and Baltic coasts, such as on Fehmarn or Helgoland, bear his name. The sea rescuers also refer to the tradition on St Nicholas' Day. A figure can occasionally be seen on their lifeboats - wearing a lifejacket, of course.
St Nicholas in the Netherlands: Arrival via the harbour
In the Netherlands, the maritime significance of St Nicholas is particularly evident. He traditionally arrives by ship. Every year, thousands of children and families await his arrival in various harbours. The idea that St Nicholas arrives on a steamship from Spain is an integral part of the Dutch narrative and characterises the start of the festivities. After docking, people parade through the city together. St Nicholas rides on a white horse. He is accompanied by music groups and his helpers.
The parade in Amsterdam is particularly impressive. It is one of the biggest events of its kind and has been broadcast live on television for decades. The reference to the sea, with which the story begins, is still a central feature of the Dutch tradition today.
Further news:
St Nicholas in Greece: customs around the sea
In Greece, too, the festivities are closely linked to seafaring. In many regions, a decorated boat replaces the Christmas tree. The custom once originated in seafaring families. They made small boats as a sign of their hope for a safe return. They can still be seen today in a wide variety of forms: as models in homes, as decorations in public places or as illuminated installations in harbours and marinas.
St Nicholas in Italy: a saint in the harbour city
In the Italian harbour city of Bari, the veneration of St Nicholas is marked by the transfer of his relics. The arrival of his relics in the 11th century is still the occasion for a festival lasting several days, which is celebrated at the beginning of May. It includes processions through the city. A statue of St Nicholas is ceremoniously transported through the harbour on a ship - a spectacle that is popular with tourists.
Many traditions, same origin
Whether as a local custom, the centrepiece of a major festival or a fixed point of reference for maritime traditions - the examples show how diverse the significance of this sacred figure is in Europe. But despite the diversity, the origin remains the same: the story of a bishop from Myra, whose legend has endured for centuries on the coasts, in harbour towns and in religious communities.
