Our church at Beaumaris is dedicated to two important saints, St. Mary (the mother of Jesus) and St. Nicholas (“Santa Claus”), both of which are particularly associated with the season of Christmas.
We are probably all familiar with Mary from the accounts contained within the gospels and retold through popular school nativity plays, carols and Christmas cards. However, I wonder how much you know about St. Nicholas? All of us know about “Santa”, “Father Christmas” or “Siôn Corn” and the many stories and legends which accompany him linking into our “Christmas” celebrations. But what about the man behind the many names he has become known by?
St. Nicholas was a Greek Christian who lived during the early 4th century going on to become Bishop of Myra (located in what is now modern Turkey) during times of great change within the life of the early church. Nicholas was upheld as a “hero of the faith” in sharing the good news of God’s love and remembered especially for his generosity and kindness towards others. In recognition of his special holiness as a follower of Jesus he became recognised as a saint. His feast day falls on 6th December each year.
Traditions were passed down through the centuries of his special care for children. One account describes how he rescued three poor girls from potential human trafficking (prostitution) by providing money to be offered as dowries for them, dropping the bags of gold anonymously down the chimney of their house. Another more gruesome story tells how he saved three children who were at the point of being killed and pickled by a rogue butcher during a time of famine. (This story is depicted in the stained glass window at the Lady Chapel in Beaumaris Church which features St. Nicholas and two children in a “pickling tub”).
From early times, especially in relation to the famous Italian port of Bari, St. Nicholas’ chief fame was as the patron saint of sailors. Stories tell of him calming a storm at sea and saving three innocent soldiers from wrongful execution. This is why many churches dedicated to St. Nicholas can be found in coastal areas. It was probably for this reason that Beaumaris Church was partly dedicated in his honour as the growing town in the 14th century became the major port for the Isle of Anglesey.