Introduction

Nicholas was born around AD 280 in Patera in Asia Minor. He later became Bishop of Myra in modern day Turkey. Nicholas it seems died about 343 on or near December 6th. In 1087 Italian sailors stole his supposed relics and took them from Myra to Bari Italy. The Emperor Justinian dedicated a church to him in Constantinople. It is said that Nicholas was represented by medieval artists more than any other saint except Mary.