St. Nicholas party on Wednesday to tell story of real Christian figure St. Nicholas of Myra

QUINCY — St. John’s Cathedral, 3728 Payson Road, will host a St. Nicholas party for children ages 2 to 92 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Prizes and refreshments will be available. Those attending will learn about the origins of St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas of Myra was the foundation of the figure who became Santa Claus under the influence of Clement C. Moore (writer of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”). Later artists like Thomas Nash actually was a real Christian figure. He was a bishop in the 4th century in what is modern day Turkey. His acts of charity, including throwing sacks of his own money in a window (or down a chimney), are the foundation of later developments.

Learn about the real Christian St. Nick and the meaning of Christmas.