The real, historical fellow who is now known as Santa Claus will be remembered at a Dec. 6 public party in Kapolei. St. Nick to be
remembered Dec. 6
Star-Bulletin staff
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church will sponsor the celebration in honor of its namesake, a 4th-century bishop, from 6 to 8 p.m. during the grand opening of The Marketplace at Kapolei. Episcopal Bishop Richard Chang will portray St. Nicholas, handing out chocolate coins. There will be entertainment and food.
The Kapolei church congregation will be collecting donations for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Participants are asked to bring a new toy, not gift-wrapped.
The original Nicholas was the bishop of Myra in Turkey. A wealthy man, he became known for his generosity in distributing gifts to the poor. In the most famous tale, he learned of an impoverished nobleman who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters. So the good bishop tossed bags of gold coins into the window -- or down the chimney, depending on who is telling the story -- on three nights.
As the story goes, one night's gift landed in a stocking hung out to dry. That became the model for the gift-giving custom practiced down through the centuries in Europe, long after Nicholas died on Dec. 6 in 342.
Dutch colonists brought their celebration of "Sinter Klaus" day to America, where it became entwined with the Christmas holiday.
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