3-067-108 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Saint Nicholas of Myra and Bari, 1881. Usually depicted as a bishop, since he was bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. His relics were transferred to Bari in Italy in 1087. His body was believed to secrete a perfumed myrrh (the manna of St. Nicholas) which pilgrims to the Holy Land would collect in leaden flasks before leaving Italy. As a result, he was the patron saint of guilds of perfumers, apothecaries and spicers. Other legends associated with his name led to his reputation as "Father Christmas".