Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate this holiday - December 19. All children and adults know that St. Nicholas, leaves under the pillows or in the shoes of obedient children sweets.

Nicholas the Wonderworker was born on March 15, 270. According to legend, he was the son of wealthy parents from Patara in Lycia, the province of Asia Minor.

For a charitable life, the saint was elected bishop in the World of Lycia, where he died, on December 6, 346. The earliest mention of his name refers to the IV-V centuries. Till our days stories have told about how Saint Nicholas acted as a defender of three unjustly condemned to death Byzantines.

The "miracle worker" of the saint began to be called because of the case of a poor girl who could not marry a loved one because of the lack of a dowry. On a dark night Nicholas threw a bundle of money into her house, and the next morning the whole town knew of a kind man who had joined the hearts of lovers.

The popular custom of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day began in the tenth century. The first souvenirs in the feast of veneration of the saint were received by pupils of the parish school at the cathedral in Cologne.

His heavenly intercessor Nicholas is also considered seamen, prisoners, bakers and merchants.

In every European country there are traditions and customs associated with the celebration of this day.

That's why, in anticipation of the holiday, the children try not to be naughty, and, as a rule, there are no gifts from Nikolai. On St. Nicholas Day, not only gifts and gifts, but also try to fulfill someone's cherished desire. It can be monetary assistance to beggars, toys, sweets and clothes for orphans and other help for the needy.

As previously reported in URA-Inform, during the New Year and Christmas holidays Ukrzaliznytsia opened a sale for 36 additional trains in the most popular destinations.