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Sacred bones of saint who inspired Santa Claus destroyed in church raid
French church raid destroys relics of Saint Nicolas, Santa's inspiration, days before Christmas.
In brief
French church raid destroys relics of Saint Nicolas, Santa's inspiration, days before Christmas. Relics of Saint Nicolas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, were destroyed in a church raid in France just before Christmas. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Relics destroyed in church raid
Sacred bones of Saint Nicolas, the inspiration behind Santa Claus, were stolen from a church in France and allegedly burned and crushed.
“Bone fragments attributed to Saint Nicolas were stolen from a church in France, then allegedly burned and crushed.”
Theft reported on November 2
Priests at Saint Nicolas de Port reported the theft of a reliquary containing a fragment of the saint's body on November 2.
“Priests at Saint Nicolas de Port, one of France's few sanctuaries to hold a relic of the saint, reported the theft of a reliquary containing a fragment of the saint's body on November 2.”
Suspect arrested for destruction
Police arrested the suspect who admitted acting spontaneously out of a 'desire to destroy' the relic because he viewed devotion to the bones as idol worship.
“Police later arrested the suspect, who reportedly admitted acting spontaneously out of a ‘desire to destroy’ the relic because he viewed devotion to the bones as a form of idol worship.”
Saint Nicolas' historical significance
Saint Nicolas lived between 270 and 343 AD and is famous for inheriting money, giving it to the poor, and saving three girls from prostitution with gold.
“Saint Nicolas, the inspiration behind Santa Claus, lived between 270 and 343 AD and is famous for inheriting money, giving it to the poor, and, in particular, for the story of how he gave three girls bags of gold to save them from a life of prostitution.”
Relics' heritage value
The relics hold profound historical and religious significance for generations of pilgrims and the community of Lorraine.
“Beyond the heritage value of this object, what touches us today is, above all, a profound attack on our history, our faith and the devotion of generations of pilgrims.”
Feast of Saint Nicolas
The church desecration occurs just weeks before the Feast of Saint Nicolas, which marks the anniversary of his death on December 6.
“The church desecration comes just weeks before the Feast of Saint Nicolas, which marks the anniversary of his death.”
Historical theft of relics
The incident is part of a string of high-profile thefts, vandalism and arson attacks targeting Christian heritage sites across France.
“The incident is also the latest in a string of high-profile thefts, vandalism and arson attacks targeting Christian heritage sites across France.”
Relics' journey to Lorraine
Saint Nicolas' skeleton was taken from Myra in modern-day Turkey in 1087 and later carried to Lorraine by a knight named Aubert de Varangéville.
“That connection began with a journey from southern Italy, where Italian sailors had taken Saint Nicolas’ skeleton in 1087 after removing it from Myra, in what is now Turkey.”
Pilgrims and historical importance
Pilgrims flocked to Saint Nicolas de Port after the relic arrived, including Joan of Arc who visited in 1429.
“Pilgrims flocked to the town after the relic arrived, establishing it as an important destination in medieval Europe. Among those who came to pray was Joan of Arc, who visited in 1429 before traveling to Chinon to meet the Dauphin.”
Duke René II's patronage
Duke René II named Saint Nicolas the region's patron saint and commissioned a Gothic basilica to house his relics after defeating Charles the Bold in 1477.
“The saint’s importance to Lorraine grew further after Duke René II defeated Charles the Bold at the Battle of Nancy in 1477. The duke named Saint Nicolas the region’s patron saint and commissioned the elaborate Gothic basilica to accommodate his relics.”
Basilica's history of destruction
The basilica endured the Thirty Years’ War, the French Revolution, and both world wars, with its gold reliquaries melted down during the revolution.
“The basilica endured the Thirty Years’ War, the French Revolution and both world wars. During the revolution, its gold reliquaries were melted down and the building was temporarily converted into a ‘Temple of Reason.’”
Relics' origins in Turkey
Saint Nicolas is traditionally believed to have been buried in modern-day Turkey after dying in 343 AD, with his relics later moved to Lorraine.
“The history of its sacred relics stretches back to modern-day Turkey, where Saint Nicolas is traditionally believed to have been buried after he died in 343 AD.”
In short
Relics of Saint Nicolas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, were destroyed in a church raid in France just before Christmas.
