St. Nicholas/ De Sfântul Nicolae

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara (now on the southern coast of Turkey).

His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

In Romania, on the night of December 5th, boots are cleaned and carefully polished to be put by the door or on the windowsill to wait for St. Nicholas' (Sfantul Nicolae) visit. He is generous to adults as well as children, putting a little present in each boot. In some areas branches or thin twigs covered with silver or bronze are left as a warning that behavior needs to improve. On the sixth of December, gifts are given to friends, children, and those in need. It is one of the most important Romanian holidays.

More than 800,000 Romanians celebrate their name day on St. Nicholas day, December 6th. 815,453 persons are named Nicholas or devivations of the name, 530,089 men and 285,364 women. (stnicholascenter.org)

Sfantul Ierarh Nicolae s-a nascut in localitatea Patara din Asia Mica, in a doua jumatate a secolului al III lea. Participa in calitate de episcop la primul sinod ecumenic tinut la Niceea in anul 325. Sinodul a condamnat erezia lui Arie, conform careia Iisus Hristos nu este Fiul lui Dumnezeu, ci doar un om cu puteri supranaturale. La acest sinod este recunoscut drept un mare aparator al ortodoxiei. Atat de puternic a argumentat Nicolae si atat de incapatanat a fost Arie, incat, ingrijorat de ruptura care se putea face in Biserica, viitorul sfant i-a dat ereticului o palma in cadrul sinodului. De la palma Sfantului Nicolae a ramas obiceiul ca, in 5 decembrie, celor neascultatori sa li se dea o joarda in semn de avertisment. 

In colindele romanesti se canta, in plina iarna, despre florile dalbe, flori de mar. Daca ne intrebam de ce de mar, trebuie sa stim ca batranii nostri cunosteau ca acea joarda a Sfantului Nicolae trebuie sa fie una de mar, iar daca aceasta, pusa in apa, va inflori pana la Nasterea Domnului, insemna ca sfantul a mijlocit pentru iertarea celui caruia i-a dat crenguta cu flori albe.

Sfantul Nicolae a avut masura lucrurilor atat de buna, incat a stiut ca dupa mustrare se cere mangaiere si ca incercarile vietii pot fi pentru unii prea apasatoare. A daruit mult saracilor, a linistit pe intristati, a vindecat cu putere de la Dumnezeu pe bolnavi. (crestinortodox.ro)

So, I had a strong reason to continue making all kind of beautiful things. Maybe they will brighten some little spots of someone heart in the St. Nicholas Day or in the Christmas Day....

And I must tell you that I had in mind that the future owner of my little objects to make the best of it.

Asa ca, am avut motive serioase sa continui sa imaginez si sa "materializez" tot felul de lucruri frumoase, cu speranta ca vor lumina macar un coltisor din inima cuiva, fie de Mos Nicolae, fie in ziua de Craciun...

Oricum, cand le-am gandit, am avut in vedere ca ele sa poate fi folosite cat mai mult timp.

Daca va plac si vreti sa oferiti cuiva ceva asemanator, puteti sa-mi comunicati pe adresa de email. 

Here there are. My drawstring gift bags:

Iata. Saculeti pentru cadouri:

For the time being my photos are bad and they will be the same for a time...

Deocamdata calitatea pozelor mele stirbeste mult din estetica lucrusoarelor mele. 

La un moment-dat se va schimba ceva in bine si in privinta asta.....

I wish you St. Nicholas will put in your boots the dreamed presents!

Va doresc ca Mos Nicolae sa va lase in ghete un "ceva" cat de mic, din ceea ce va doriti! 

Have a beautiful day!

Sa aveti o zi frumoasa!