WHO WAS THIS SINTERKLAAS?
Nicholas Sinterklaas was born in the 4th century in Myra, Asia Minor, and there became a bishop. Little else is known about him—except that he loved children.
How this kindly 4th century bishop made his way from Asia Minor through Italy, Spain and all of Northern Europe century is unknown, but by in the 11th century he had become the patron saint not only of children and unwed maidens, but of sailors and the City of Amsterdam as well.


Story #1
A story is told of the three beautiful sisters, daughters of a poor peasant. The first had very blonde hair, the second raven black hair, the third auburn. Each fell in love with a pleasant young man but couldn’t get married because they had no dowry. That made them very sad. One night, as Sinterklaas was out riding, he looked through a window and saw three lovely, sad sisters. When he heard why they could not marry the young men of their choice, he returned to his palace and gave the Grumpus three little bags.

 In each bag was a hundred golden ducats. He asked the Grumpus to drop the little bags into the girls’ shoes, and an hour later they were rich. They married the three nice young men and lived happily ever after! To this day children leave a carrot in their shoes hoping to attract Sinterklaas’ attention and reward. Since then Sinterklaas (or St. Nicholas as he is also known) has become the patron saint of unwed maidens.


Story #2
There is also the story about three little boys who dined at a restaurant and, after eating their fill, informed the innkeeper that they could not pay their bill. To exact payment, the innkeeper chopped them up into little bits and cooked them in a stew.

Nicholas heard about the awful deed and came to the inn to find the boys boiling away in the pot. He told the innkeeper that if he, Nicholas, could find one little piece of each boy that was good, he would perform a miracle and bring him back to life. What child does not have at least one little piece of good in him? And, so Nicholas Sinterklaas returned the boys to life and took them into his care.



SINTERKLAAS TODAY IN HOLLAND
In Amsterdam, on December 5th a ship carrying Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain where he spends the rest of the year. He is greeted by a whole group of Grumpuses. A million people come out to see his arrival and watch his triumphant parade through the streets of the city. The rest of the country watches on TV. Special songs and pastries are made in honor of his arrival.


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