Historic Figures
WITH THE NAME NICHOLAS
St. Nicholas was a 4th century bishop in the town of Myra (present day Turkey). Despite all the legends that surround him, nothing factual is known for certain. He performed many good deeds and was a friend to the poor and helpless. Myths and legends soon sprang up around him. He could supposedly calm the raging seas, rescue desperate sailors, help the poor and downtrodden, and save children. He was soon named as the patron saint of sailors. The most famous legend, of course, comes to us via the Dutch – where he is known as Sinterklaas. Two weeks before St. Nicholas’ traditional birthday (December 6th), he arrives to the Netherlands by way of steamboat from Spain, along with a couple helpers. At night, he tramps across the countryside wearing his red mantle, his tall hat, his golden staff and his long white beard with his book that lists all the good and bad children. From his bag, he disperses the gifts and candy to only the good children. St. Nicholas has also become the patron saint of children.
Nicholas I was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning almost 8 million square miles. In his capacity as the emperor he was also the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland.
Born Nikolay Romanov, Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia. His reign saw Imperial Russia go from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to a complete economic and military collapse. As head of state, he approved the Russian mobilization of August 1914, which marked the first fatal step into World War I and thus into the demise of the Romanov dynasty less than four years later. He abdicated following the February Revolution of 1917 during which he and his family were imprisoned. He, his wife, son and four daughters (one of whom was Anastasia, thought to have survived) were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Today, they are all considered martyrs and have been canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
St. Nicholas was a 4th century bishop in the town of Myra (present day Turkey). Despite all the legends that surround him, nothing factual is known for certain. He performed many good deeds and was a friend to the poor and helpless. Myths and legends soon sprang up around him. He could supposedly calm the raging seas, rescue desperate sailors, help the poor and downtrodden, and save children. He was soon named as the patron saint of sailors. The most famous legend, of course, comes to us via the Dutch – where he is known as Sinterklaas. Two weeks before St. Nicholas’ traditional birthday (December 6th), he arrives to the Netherlands by way of steamboat from Spain, along with a couple helpers. At night, he tramps across the countryside wearing his red mantle, his tall hat, his golden staff and his long white beard with his book that lists all the good and bad children. From his bag, he disperses the gifts and candy to only the good children. St. Nicholas has also become the patron saint of children.
Nicholas I was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning almost 8 million square miles. In his capacity as the emperor he was also the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland.
Born Nikolay Romanov, Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia. His reign saw Imperial Russia go from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to a complete economic and military collapse. As head of state, he approved the Russian mobilization of August 1914, which marked the first fatal step into World War I and thus into the demise of the Romanov dynasty less than four years later. He abdicated following the February Revolution of 1917 during which he and his family were imprisoned. He, his wife, son and four daughters (one of whom was Anastasia, thought to have survived) were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Today, they are all considered martyrs and have been canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
St. Nicholas was a 4th century bishop in the town of Myra (present day Turkey). Despite all the legends that surround him, nothing factual is known for certain. He performed many good deeds and was a friend to the poor and helpless. Myths and legends soon sprang up around him. He could supposedly calm the raging seas, rescue desperate sailors, help the poor and downtrodden, and save children. He was soon named as the patron saint of sailors. The most famous legend, of course, comes to us via the Dutch – where he is known as Sinterklaas. Two weeks before St. Nicholas’ traditional birthday (December 6th), he arrives to the Netherlands by way of steamboat from Spain, along with a couple helpers. At night, he tramps across the countryside wearing his red mantle, his tall hat, his golden staff and his long white beard with his book that lists all the good and bad children. From his bag, he disperses the gifts and candy to only the good children. St. Nicholas has also become the patron saint of children.
Born Nikolay Romanov, Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia. His reign saw Imperial Russia go from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to a complete economic and military collapse. As head of state, he approved the Russian mobilization of August 1914, which marked the first fatal step into World War I and thus into the demise of the Romanov dynasty less than four years later. He abdicated following the February Revolution of 1917 during which he and his family were imprisoned. He, his wife, son and four daughters (one of whom was Anastasia, thought to have survived) were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Today, they are all considered martyrs and have been canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Nicholas I was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning almost 8 million square miles. In his capacity as the emperor he was also the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland.
