St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas is a popular saint who is often depicted in church art and stained glass works as and elderly man with a balding head and a short, full, white, fluffy beard. This corroborates his image as the precursor to the modern day “Santa Clause”. This reputation arose from St. Nicholas’s habit of secret gift-giving. He would put coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. Born in the fourth century in Myra (in the country now called Turkey) St. Nicholas was raised by devout parents who died when he was still a young man. Many miracles are attributed to him and he was known to be a man of intercession. Almost 100 churches in the USA are named in honor of St.Nicholas and his feast day, December 6th, is often celebrated with gift-giving. He is the patron saint of sailors, bakers and pawnbrokers. Due to his patronage of sailors, artworks sometimes show St.Nicholas standing in a boat or rescuing a drowning sailor. If you would like one of these depictions, or any other stained glass design of St.Nicholas, let us help you create the perfect panel or widow to suit your church, chapel, prayer room or home. Contact us for more information.