Word: lycia
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...York's board was only partly right. The original of Santa Claus was St. Nicholas of Myra, in Lycia, Asia Minor, of whom little is known save that he was a 4th Century bishop. In the 11th Century, Italians of Bari stole his body, built a basilica about it, attributed to the saint many a miracle. St. Nicholas became the patron of Russia, Greece, the Kingdom of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, Limerick, of children, pawnbrokers, mariners, coopers, brewers. Children came to expect secret gifts from St. Nicholas on the eve of his feast (Dec. 6). This far from notable bishop...