The Christians who follow the old calendar celebrate Saint Hierarch Nicholas or Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19. The people also call this feast Children’s Christmas as they believe that Saint Nicholas puts gifts in the shoes and socks of obedient children, while the disobedient ones receive rods, IPN reports.

Contacted by IPN, Doctor of Ethnology Tudor Colac said that Saint Hierarch Nicholas is the patron saint of children and the first generous saint of all the saints. He is also the protector of sailors. After Saint Andrew, Saint Nicholas is the first elderly saint who is associated with the old age. Saint Nicholas is considered the patron of winter, who protects the sun in the cold period of the year.

He became known for his faith and kindness. His mother and father educated him with love for the fellows and when he remained with a large inheritance after their death, he gave everything to the poor. They say that real winter starts on this day.

Saint Nicholas is observed two times a year – in winter, on December 19, and in summer, on May 22. In winter they celebrate the transfer of Saint Nicholas to God’s Kingdom, while in summer the translation of his relics from Mira in Turkey to Bari in Italy.

On this feast, the Christians who fast are allowed to eat fish and drink wine.