Throughout the Christian world, and especially in Western countries, the image of Santa Claus is now omnipresent in Christmas imagery – in decorations, songs, stories, films and commercials. The figure of the jolly old man with the white beard and red attire, who brings presents to children, is an amalgam of various traditions and legends, like the English Father Christmas, the German Christkind and, above all, the Dutch Sinterklaas. In Greece, on the other hand, that same figure is identified as Agios Vasilis – Saint Basil. But who were the real people behind the myths?
Both Saint Nicholas and Saint Basil are venerated as saints in most Christian denominations, and they are believed to have been actual historical figures, both of Greek descent. Neither, of course, bared any true resemblance to the icon of Santa Claus, or any connections with the North Pole, reindeer or elves. But how did they become associated with the (relatively recent) Christmas tradition of gift-giving?
Saint Nicholas
Very little is really known about the actual life of Saint Nicholas, as most sources describing it are not considered historically reliable; however, his historicity is generally not questioned. He is believed to have been born in the ancient Lycian seaport city of Patara, in modern-day Turkey. According to tradition, his parents were wealthy Greek Christians. His name is Greek and it signifies “people’s champion”, from nike “victory” + laos “people”.
It is generally accepted that Nicholas became bishop of Myra, also in Lycia, in the 4th century, probably after having travelled to Palestine and Egypt. It is also believed he possibly attended the first Council of Nicaea (325). Later accounts about his life describe him as “a Wonderworker” and also as a generous person helping those in need. Some of the most widespread legends about him actually portray him offering financial help discreetly, under the guise of darkness.
In Christian tradition, he has come to be associated with travelers and seafarers; he is also known as a protector of children. His name day is celebrated on December 6; the practice of gift giving on Saint Nicholas Day appeared in some central European countries during the Middle Ages. In the Netherlands, his veneration gave rise to the legend of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas in Dutch); this tradition was brought by colonists to New Amsterdam (modern-day New York), and from this the American (and now international) icon of Santa Claus was born.
In Greece, Saint Nicholas is an important saint, the patron of sailors, the Hellenic Navy and various port towns. His name is one of the most common male given names, often abbreviated as Nikos. He is however not associated with Christmas festivities or the giving of presents.
Saint Basil
In Greek tradition, the bringer of gifts is Saint Basil, whose name day is celebrated on the 1st of January; this is why, historically, the exchange of presents in Greece was not done on Christmas but, instead, on New Year’s Day. The life of the real Saint Basil, know as Basil the Great, or Basil of Caesarea, is in fact much better documented than that of Saint Nicholas.
Basil (329-379 AD) was born in Caesarea, the capital of Cappadocia, in a distinguished Greek Christian family. One of his uncles was a bishop, and two of his brothers would also later become bishops. He studied at Caesarea, Constantinople and Athens, and later established a monastic settlement on his family estate. In 370 he became bishop of Caesarea, devoting himself to combatting the then-widespread heresy of Arianism.
Basil is commemorated as an influential theologian, who left behind extensive writings, including treatises, epistles (letters) and eucharistic prayers. He is venerated as one of the Three Hierarchs of Eastern Christianity along with Gregory the Theologian (or Nazianzus) and John Chrysostom, all of which were highly influential bishops and theologians of the early church. He has also been named a Doctor of the Church in Western Christianity.
However, he also founded charitable institutions to aid the poor, the ill, and travelers, he distributed food to the poor during a famine following a drought, and he gave away his personal family inheritance to benefit the poor of his diocese. His name has thus been linked with the concept of philanthropy and, by extension, the giving of presents. This apparently gave rise to the Greek tradition of Saint basil as a bringer of gifts to children. The saint is commemorated in the New Year’s kalanda (carols) sung by children on December 31. When the international trend of Santa Claus reached Greece, it was assimilated into this tradition – hence the figure of the portly old man donned in red is referred to as Saint Basil in Greek.
The Greek tradition of vasilopita, a type of cake cut on the first of January, has also been linked with the saint, although it possibly echoes the Kings Cake tradition that can be found in many areas across Europe. Just as with a Kings Cake (such as the French galette des rois or the Spanish roscón de reyes, both cut on Epiphany Day) soothing is hidden in the cake and the person to find it in their piece is believed to have luck for the rest of the year. The cake is probably named after the word king (vassileus in Ancient and Medieval Greek); however, the name Basil (Vassilios in Greek) is also derived from that same word. It has hence come to be understood as “St. basil’s cake” by Greeks, and there are legends linked to this association.
Read also via Greek News Agenda: The Greek New Year’s tradition of the vasilopita; Kalanda: The Greek carols; Greek and Roman origins of Christmas traditions
N.M.
TAGS: HERITAGE
