NICHOLAS is a saint and Greek Bishop of Myra, a part of Turkey. He is also known as the Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus become the model for Santa Claus. He is the patron saint of children, sailors, fishermen, merchants, the falsely accused, prostitutes, repentant thieves, pharmacists, archers, pawnbrokers. His feast day is celebrated on December 6.