St Nick, the original Santa Claus came from Myra Turkey
DO you believe in Mikulás, we ask the children next door, and what would you like him to bring you? Matyi, aged five, wants coloring pencils. "I would like a nice warm pair of lined slippers," says his sister Lenke, three and a half years old, and not yet jaded by all the commercialized versions of the legendary Saint Nick, on display in supermarkets, shopping centers, and other public places. According to Christian tradition, Mikulás (Szent Miklós, or St Nicholas) comes during the night of Dec 5, on the vigil of his Feast Day, Dec 6, leaving candies and small gifts. The children (and often adults who enjoy this charming custom) go to sleep with great anticipation, and cannot wait till morning to see what the saintly Mikulás has left for them. This tradition has subsisted throughout the Christian world for 17 centuries. Mikulás has gone through transformations - the Reformation tried to do away with saints - and secularizations by creating versions such as Santa Claus and Father Winter. "During communism, religious practice was persecuted, so Mikulás was officially eradicated and was replaced with Tél Apó (Father Winter)," says Matyi's and Lenke's grandmother, Mrs Sarolta Szentkláray, who chants a song she was taught in the State school.
More:The Budapest Sun Online
