Saint Nicholas Day

The white-bearded Christian saint whose acts of generosity inspired America's secular Santa Claus figure is known worldwide - but Saint Nicholas' origin story is not.

The legends surrounding jolly old St Nicholas - celebrated annually on December 6 - go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children.

WHO WAS ST NICHOLAS?

Thousands of Bulgarians have a name day today, sailors and bankers celebrate as well, the Church honors St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker of Myra. St. Nicholas Day is also the day of the Bulgarian city Burgas.

The name means "winner", name day celebrate people with the names: Nikola, Nikolay, Nikolina, Nikoleta, Nina, Kolyo and their derivatives.

On December 6, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Day of Saint Nicholas, the Miracle Worker.

The traditional dish on that day is fish, most often carp.

According to the legend, St. Nicholas was the patron saint of sailors and fishermen, and more recently is considered the patron of bankers and merchants. Nearly 200,000 people in Bulgaria have a name day.

Last Saturday was the day of our good old man from Demre, south of Turkey, who turned about to be the most beloved man of the children, St Nicholas aka Santa Claus. Dec. 6 is believed to be the day the saint had passed away, and the day is dedicated to commemorate his benevolent being.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Saturday conveyed a message to Romanians on the occasion of St. Nicholas Day, celebrated by the Orthodox Church on December 6 every year.

Photo credit (c) Mihai Dragos GEORGESCU / AGERPRES AECHIVE