St. Nicholas visit. Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, will make a special stop at St. John’s on his Feast Day, Sunday, December 4th at our 10:00 Family Service. St. Nick will read ‘Twas the Night before Christmas & bring gifts for all the children. Think about inviting a neighbor, niece, nephew, Godchild or anyone you know who is a child or child at heart!
(At left, St. Nick in his Bishop’s garb complete with chasuble, crozier & mitered hat.)
Ironically the symbols now used to commercialize Christmas have their origins in Christianity. St. Nicholas, a.k.a. “Santa Claus,” was the 3rd century Bishop of Myra (present day Turkey). He came from a wealthy family, and used his entire inheritance to help the sick, the poor, and most of all children, which is why we associate him with giving presents to children.
St. Nick only became popular in the U.S. in 1823 with the publishing of, ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.’ The beloved tale was written by Clement Clarke Moore, Old Testament professor at our own national Episcopal seminary, General Theological Seminary, in NYC. He was the son of the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, the second Episcopal Bishop of New York.
An Interesting Historical Note on the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore & Alexander Hamilton:
On July 11, 1804, Bishop Moore was summoned to the deathbed of Alexander Hamilton, who had been fatally wounded in a duel with
Aaron Burr; Hamilton asked to receive Holy Communion. The Bishop made two objections: that to participate in a duel was a mortal sin, and that Hamilton, although he was undoubtedly a sincere Christian in his later years, was not an Episcopalian. Bishop Moore withdrew, but was persuaded by the urgent pleas of Hamilton's friends to return. On receiving Hamilton's solemn assurance that he repented for his part in the duel, Moore gave him communion.
(At left, St. Nick in his Bishop’s garb complete with chasuble, crozier & mitered hat.)
Ironically the symbols now used to commercialize Christmas have their origins in Christianity. St. Nicholas, a.k.a. “Santa Claus,” was the 3rd century Bishop of Myra (present day Turkey). He came from a wealthy family, and used his entire inheritance to help the sick, the poor, and most of all children, which is why we associate him with giving presents to children.
St. Nick only became popular in the U.S. in 1823 with the publishing of, ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.’ The beloved tale was written by Clement Clarke Moore, Old Testament professor at our own national Episcopal seminary, General Theological Seminary, in NYC. He was the son of the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, the second Episcopal Bishop of New York.
An Interesting Historical Note on the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore & Alexander Hamilton:
On July 11, 1804, Bishop Moore was summoned to the deathbed of Alexander Hamilton, who had been fatally wounded in a duel with
Aaron Burr; Hamilton asked to receive Holy Communion. The Bishop made two objections: that to participate in a duel was a mortal sin, and that Hamilton, although he was undoubtedly a sincere Christian in his later years, was not an Episcopalian. Bishop Moore withdrew, but was persuaded by the urgent pleas of Hamilton's friends to return. On receiving Hamilton's solemn assurance that he repented for his part in the duel, Moore gave him communion.