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Questions & Answers

Santa Claus

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Other Churches and Faiths › Santa Claus

The question

Is Santa Claus the same as St. Nicholas? Is Papa Noel real? What are the church's beliefs about both of them? These questions are confusing many of people.

The answer

The legend of Santa Claus originated from the real biography of the Bishop of Mora, St. Nicholas. Not only was this bishop noted for his tremendous compassion, but also, he was a religious scholar and one of the 318 leaders who attended the First Ecumenical Council and denounced the heresies of Arias. St. Nicholas was later tortured and imprisoned by Diocletian. Never did these wicked schemes or threats cause St. Nicholas' faith to waver. An economically driven culture created "Santa Claus." Papa Noel is synonymous with Santa Claus. As Christians, we are pleased to honor and venerate St. Nicholas, Bishop of Mora.  

Please read this brief account of his faithful life:
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/synexarion/nicholas2.html.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1842 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.