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| LIFE IN SOLERA | DECEMBER 2022 | 27 Are You Related to Santa Claus? Most of us older folks know that Santa Claus is a myth, or is it? In the year 270 A.D. in a town of Patara, Roman Empire (now called Gelemis), a son was born to wealthy Greek Christian parents (either Epiphanius and Johanna or Theophanes and Nonna; historians don't know for sure). This son was Nicholas, later to be known as Nicholas of Myra and later Nicholas of Bari. From early in his life, he was focused on the church and helping the poorer people. His uncle, a Bishop of Myra, noticed this in Nicholas and brought him into the priesthood. After his parents died, Nicholas expanded his giving to the poor and less fortunate using his parent's wealth. After his uncle's death, he became the Bishop of Myra. Many of his efforts were considered miracles by the church and he was later named a saint, Saint Nicholas of Myra. He died in 343 A.D. and his remains were later enshrined in the Christian church in Myra (now called Demre, Turkey). Pilgrims would visit his shrine and celebrate Dec. 6 as the Feast of St. Nicholas by giving gifts. Eastern Christians celebrate his feast on Dec. 19. In 1087, Italian sailors visiting his shrine stole his remains and took them to a church in Bari, Italy, where they remain to this day. Many European Christians performed pilgrimages to the now St. Nicholas of Bari remains and celebrated his feast day by giving gifts. One such group were Dutch and they brought the tradition with them when they established their colony at New Amsterdam, NY in the 1600s. However, to them St. Nicholas was called "Sinterklaas," or Santa Claus as he became known in America. That evolved into combining the gift giving concept of St. Nicholas to the Santa Claus concept at Christmas, still with the gift giving concept. So, if you are fortunate to have traced your family back to the third or fourth century A.D. and found relatives in modern day Greece or Turkey, then you may be a relative of Santa Claus. ~ Bill Cramsie ANCESTRY GROUP On Dec. 5, Marty Mangan will present the first of a two-part program on the History of Slavery. The History Group is looking for people to give interesting talks. Contact Richard Crowe at (951) 769-1580. HISTORY GROUP

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