Saint Nicholas Day Trivia Quiz

Answer: Myra

St. Nicholas was the 4th century Bishop of Myra in what is now modern-day Turkey. He was of Greek decent and many legends of miracles grew up around him. Myra was an ancient Greek and then a Roman town which eventually became the Turkish town of Demre.

Answer: Ukraine

This tradition is also followed in Poland. If the children behave poorly, however, they will find a lump of coal under their pillows, or perhaps a twig. In other countries, gifts are more likely to be put in a shoe rather than under a pillow.

Answer: December 19

Also known as the Feast of St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Day falls on December 5 or 6 in the Western church. In Eastern Christianity, in churches using the Julian calendar, it falls on December 19.

Answer: The Netherlands

Children leave their shoes for St. Nicholas to fill with small gifts or candy in other countries as well, but these hay-filled clogs are a Dutch tradition. Santa Claus derives from the tradition of St. Nicholas, and the name most nearly comes from St. Nicholas's name in Dutch: Sinterklass.

Answer: A butcher

The evil butcher is given the name Père Fouettard in the story, and he is said to have followed St. Nicholas in an act of penance ever since the deed. He is sometimes purported to leave lumps of coal for naughty children, or to administer beatings to them.

His name means "Father Whipper." Art works in France depict St. Nicholas in a barrel with children in commemoration of this legend.

Answer: Albania

In Albanian Catholic tradition, guests often greet one another on the eve of St. Nicholas with the blessing, "May the Night of Saint Nicholas help you!" They may also serve roasted pork as well as lamb on this occasion.

Answer: doctors

St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia, Greece, and various cities, of sailors, children, prostitutes, pawnbrokers, merchants, and repentant thieves. Legend says he rescued three girls from a future life of prostitution by dropping bags of gold through their windows.

In Greece, where he is regarded as the patron saint of the Greek Navy, his feast day is celebrated aboard ships. St. Luke, however, is traditionally regarded as the patron saint of doctors.

Answer: Bulgaria

This dish is called ribnik. The meal also includes two loaves of bread that have been blessed and are broken in a ceremonial fashion after incense is waved over the table.

Answer: The Episcopal Church

In Baptist tradition, there are no special saints (all believers are saints), so they would be unlikely to observe the Feast of Saint Nicholas. The Church of Christ does not typically observe even Christmas, seeing it as an "unbiblical" holiday. St. Nicholas's Day, however, is on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church, and churches will often observe the day with special celebrations that might involve someone dressing as the Bishop of Myrna, hay rides, or other activities.

Answer: a rod

In Slovenia culture, Parkelj is similar to Krampus. He is the companion of Miklavz (the Slovenian form of St. Nicholas). If children misbehave, Parkelj brings their parents a rod to discipline them. The rod harkens back to Proverbs 13:24: "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."