The finding of the tomb of Saint Nicholas might shed new light on the well-known patron saint who served as the inspiration for Santa Claus. The grave of Saint Nicholas, the charitable Greek bishop who served as the model for the Christmas character Santa Claus, has been found by archaeologists.
The two-story extension of St. Nicholas Church in Demre, Antalya, Turkey, contained the six-foot- ong limestone coffin, which was discovered buried six feet underground. Excavating has been going on here since 1989 and is long thought to be the Saint’s ultimate burial place, but this most recent discovery is the most fascinating to date. This ‘Legacy for the Future Project’ was headed by Hatay Kemal University Associate Professor Ebru Fatma Findik.
Where was the tomb of Saint Nicholas found?
The discovery of a sarcophagus close to the church by archaeologists, which is believed to contain his tomb, may prove that this is the hallowed location we have been looking for, Findik stated. “This is an important archaeological confirmation of historical sources about where St. Nicholas was buried.”
Although its position gives the tomb of Saint Nicholas legitimacy, the researchers are now looking for an inscription that could provide additional information about the person who was buried there. “Finding an inscription on the sarcophagus is our greatest hope,” Findik told Türkiye Today. This would enable us to pinpoint the precise time period it comes from and help to understand the contents of the burial.
Only the tomb’s lid has been fully revealed thus far, revealing a tiny portion of the burial chamber. In order to uncover more hints, the team plans to conduct additional excavations in the upcoming months.
Who was Saint Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas, an early Christian bishop and patron saint of children and sailors, was born in Myra (now the Demre region of Antalya, Turkey) after 260 A.D. Stories of him giving money to the less poor gave rise to rumors of miracle work, and he became an idol because of his generosity and benevolence.
The joyful bearded present-giver and emblem of western Christmas celebrations, Santa Claus, was created as a result of growing respect for the sacred character. The Dutch moniker for Saint Nicholas
Sinter Klaas, is where the name Santa Claus originated.
The only real information regarding the real Saint Nicholas, however, is that he was buried at the church that bears his name after passing away in 343 A.D. However, the whereabouts of his actual remains has never been revealed; it is believed that it was stolen in 1087 and transferred to the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy. Even though these bones have been the subject of scientific investigations, there is still conflicting evidence that they belonged to Saint Nicholas.
Source: https://www.euronews.com
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