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St. Nikolaos Day
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When:
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6 Dec 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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Agios Nikolaos
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On 6 December every year, St Nikolaos Day is celebrated throughout Greece. This is a particularly auspicious occasion for the people of Agios Nikolaos, as the saint is also the city's patron.
Saint Nikolaos is renowned for his good deeds, such as providing dowries to poor women. As the patron saint of Greece, his primary role is as the protector of sailors and seamen. At Christmas, small fishing boats pay tribute to him with decorations of blue and white lights.
Tradition has it that the clothes of Saint Nikolaos are soaked with brine, his beard always dripping with seawater, and his face covered with perspiration from fighting storms to reach sinking ships and save men from drowning. Greek ships carry an icon of the saint and sailors light a candle and pray to him for safe passage. When a ship is in danger the captain prays and makes a solemn promise to bring a tamata, a Greek ex-voto, of a small ship of silver, gold or carved wood, if they make port safely.
For Greek people, this day is the primary gift-giving holiday in December. Despite being compared to Santa Claus, nothing will ever displace St Nikolaos in the hearts of Greeks and it is his day that starts the holiday season, with sumptuous feasts and gift-giving throughout the country.
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