Deck the Halls and Faces Too
By Nicholas Prosterman
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written before December 25th. However, in the spirit of Russian Orthodox Christmas, which was just January 7th, we are posting the article now.
Most people know that the legend of Santa Claus is based upon the real-life story of Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century Christian bishop of Myra (modern-day Demre, Turkey) who was known to secretly give gifts to the poor. Yet behind the rosy mythology lies a more complex figure. While his legacy is one of generosity and compassion, there was also a time when the patron saint of children is said to have lost his temper, punching a heretic in the face at a council of Christian bishops. To understand the context of this, it’s important to understand early Church history as well, especially the intense theological debates that defined that era.
The 4th century proved to be a major turning point for Christianity. Despite the persecution of Christians that had lingered for centuries, Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, legalizing the religion in the Roman Empire. However, with peace came new challenges. As external threats to Christianity began to decline, internal ones, particularly heresies, intensified. The most notable example at the time was Arianism. Arius, a priest from Alexandria, held that Jesus was created by God and not co-eternal with the Father, implying that Jesus is not fully divine. Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, would excommunicate Arius and his followers, yet the teaching continued to spread. Among Alexander’s staunch supporters was a young deacon named Athanasius, whose fierce defense of Christ’s divinity would make him a central figure in the debates soon to unfold.
To resolve this growing controversy, Constantine summoned 318 Christian bishops to meet in 325 AD for what is now known as the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council and the source of the Nicene Creed recited at Mass today. The bishops condemned Arius’s teachings, affirming that Jesus is “begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.” Saint Nicholas, who is believed to have been in attendance, was allegedly so angered by Arius’s views that he struck him across the face, leaving no doubt that Santa Claus was coming to town. According to legend, Nicholas was stripped of his bishop’s garments and thrown into jail, only to be miraculously freed when Jesus and Mary appeared to restore his vestments.
Historians debate whether this is a true story, as it did not become popular until the 14th century. Regardless of its disputed validity, this fiery episode reminds us that saints had their human moments, too, which is something to ponder as we celebrate this season of peace.