Here's a bit of Christmas trivia for you...Did you know that Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas was actually from Turkey? From the town of Demre, on the Mediterranean coast near Kaş and Antalya.
"Saint Nicholas, or "Noel Baba" (Father Christmas in Turkish) was born in Patara, a Lykian neighborhood city of Demre. He was a bishop in the 4th century. After his death he was declared as the Guardian Saint of sailors, tradesmen, bakers and Russian Empire. Reputedly, he had big pockets sewn on his cloak, filled with candy and fruits to hand out to every child he met. Besides his extraordinary love of humanity he was also known with his healing ability based on miracles. His fame goes beyond Myra and his church was filled with people looking for healing even years after his death. The person in charge at the church sells small bottles of "myr" oil, for healing purposes where the origin of the name Myra. Demre, a small but important allocation unit is located 48 kilometers east of South-west Mediterranean's famous holiday village Kaş. It was once called Myra and one of the most important cities of Lykia of Classical Era. The church has been ruined by earthquakes, restored then again destroyed by Arabian attacks and finally had its latest restoration by the Turkish Government in 60s. In the 11th century tradesmen of Bari gathered the remaining bones of St. Nicholas and took them back to their country and built a very famous pilgrimage church on them." Sourced from http://www.mymerhaba.com/A-Merry-Christmas-to-You-All-in-Turkey-735.html
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