www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall St. Nicholas "Visit" Practices

Hi Mark,

I just read your message this morning, and interestingly I asked my priest yesterday to reconsider the parent gift-giving factor, and we pretty much decided it wouldn't be a good idea for the reason you mentioned. We also didn't want any kid who just happens to show up that day to feel left out. We thought of getting a crate of apples or whatever kind of fruit is on sale that week and giving each kid two pieces: one for them and one to share with someone else. I like the idea of bringing a gift to be given to the less fortunate.

Dave

SLAVA ISUSU CHRISTU!

Hi Dave!

Another piece of advice, go the extra yard and spring for a GOOD wig & beard combo for St.Nicholas. That cheap set from WAL-MART just doesn't cut. Also get one of those stocking cap thingies that sell in wig shops, it REALLY helps to keep the wig in place. It can be REALLY embarassing to have St.Nick loose his wig and crown walking into the room.

Let me know if you find someone who makes a good crown.

Oh, that reminds me, make sure that your crown FITS ST.Nick's head. Use velcro or something like that...

hope this helps...

mark

ps

I'm usually the one who "dresses" St.Nick...

Maybe there really WAS coal in your stocking! Maybe your mom put it there, knowing you'd sneak a peek during the night... Or maybe St. Nicholas put it there to teach you repentance!

Tammy
No, no and no.

It was only the imagination of a little boy who knew he wasn't as good as he could be.

--Tim

Hi All,

I enjoyed reading your posts about St. Nicholas.

Alex, I think it is so within your charming and giving spirit to pose as the good Saint!

Anyway, what do you all do about St. Nicholas on Christmas? Do the children in your churches also have the Santa Claus custom?

Generally, Greek Orthodox in the U.S. do not have any St. Nicholas celebrations, (other than liturgy, ofcourse), on Dec. 6th. So, our children have the Santa Claus custom.

In Greece, gifts were traditionally given on St. Basil's Day, New Year's Day. A special sweet bread is baked for that day, called 'Vasilopita' or St. Basil's Bread, and is cut by the head of the family. A coin is placed somewhere in the bottom of the bread, and whoever gets the piece with it, is guaranteed good luck for the year! The first pieces of the 'pita' are cut for, Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Basil, the Church, the poor, work, and then the members of the family, starting with the heads of the household..... The Greeks in Greece have become so Europeanized, however, that many now have espoused exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

Atleast the St. Basil's Bread custom seems to have remained in the GO church in the U.S., thanks to our Churches, which will do their own 'cutting of the Vasilopita' for the different ministries of the parish, after St. Basil's Liturgy on New Year's Day, or the first Sunday thereafter.

In Christ,
Alice

SLAVA NA VIKI!

Hi Mark,

I have a decent mitre. I made it over the summer after someone gave me a few hints. Grant it, it doesn't look good enough for a bishop, but it looks fantastic for a St. Nicholas outfit. One problem is that I made it to fit my head, so it might be a little tight with a wig on. I will manage.

One of the parishioners says he has a Santa beard and whig combo, but if it isn't good, I may go to our local costume shop and try to find a set that looks more like St. Nicholas in our icons.

My "vestments" are coming along nicely, and I started making a zhezl/staff which turned out all right. I'll just gold leaf it to spiff it up a bit.

I will be sure to take pictures. I mean, how often does one get to legitimately dress up in hierarchical vestments?

Dave