Three Santas, and at least three countries claiming associations with Santa. Photo by Angela Lansbury Copyright.
The generosity of the saint continues to influence others worldwide. A Santa run for charity in aid of St Luke's Hospice, Harrow, England. This lady is wearing her Santa outfit and the medallion she was given for completing the fund-raising run. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.
Problem
Who is the real Santa Claus and where can you see him, or at least a tiny bit of him?
Answer
The bones of St Nicholas are in Bari in Italy now (2017). He originally came from a place in Asia Minor which is now in Turkey.
But a relic from the bones has been loaned to a church in Moscow. You can see the relic if you are willing to queue (line up) for hours, along with Russians keen to see it and touch the case.
Of course St Nicholas lived all year, when he lived, not just at Christmas. St Nicholas was originally shown wearing a green outfit. But red livens us up on dark days and nights. The fervour the popularity of the red-dressed Santa started with an advertisement for CocaCola in the USA.
They say that red sells. The Santa Claus costume proved it.
However, the success of the exhibition in Russia shows that St Nicholas draws followers not just at Christmas, but all year.
Tips
www.italiantouristboard.co.uk
www.italia.it/en/home
www.italiantourism.com (for the USA)
http://www.visitrussia.org.uk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-40062807 Story of relic in Moscow.
More on wikipedia, wikitravel and TripAdvisor
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have other posts on Italy, Christmas and Russia. Please use the search on this website. Please share your favourite posts.
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