The 6th of December is one of the days most awaited by all children. To mark this event, Romfilatelia will introduce into circulation, on Santa Nicholas Day, the postage stamps issue entitled the Day of Giving, consisting of 4 stamps and 1 First Day Cover.
The stamps, with the face values Lei 3,50, Lei 4,70, Lei 9 and Lei 14, reproduce images of some illustrated postcards of great interest, from the years 1913 and 1914, and depict the magic of the holidays in the Belle Époque, when children waited for Santa Nicholas with emotion and candour. They belong to the collection of postcards of the National Archives of Romania.
Saint Nicholas is one of the best known and most loved saints in history. Although today’s culture has transformed his image and transformed him into Santa Nicholas, cheerful, who brings gifts only to good children, he remains in the memory of Christians as the gentle and merciful saint who quickly comes to the aid of those in trouble.
The image of Saint Nicholas, in a stylized manner, is reproduced on the First DayCover of the issue.
December 6th is the day when children everywhere eagerly await Santa Nicholas. On the Eve of this day, they prepare their shoes, boots, socks, in which the munificent saint should leave them gifts.
This holiday is considered as one of great importance for all Christians.
Although not many concrete details about the life of Saint Nicholas are yet known, it is believed that he was born in the city of Patara in the Roman province of Lycia, today in Turkey, around 270 A.D. It is believed that he would have been born into a wealthy Christian family, and his birth would have been a miracle given by God to his parents, his mother remaining ‘barren’ after the birth of Nicholas, due to the fact that he was predestined by God to be a miracle worker, according to some legends about the saint’s life.
It is even believed, although no evidence has yet been found to attest to this, that Nicholas participated in the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., a major event in the history of Christianity, where the foundations of the religious doctrine that underlie modern Christianity were laid.
Perhaps, the most important aspect that enshrined Saint Nicholas in Christian tradition and popular culture was his habit of secretly giving gifts to poor people and children.
December 6th is also the time when those who bear the name of Saint Nicholas, celebrate their name day.
Although it is generally considered a children’s holiday, where they enjoy the gifts they receive from Santa Nicholas, this day can also be an important moment for adults, when they can fondly remember the charm of the winter holidays in childhood period.
Romfilatelia gives thanks to the representatives of the National Archives of Romania for the documentary support granted to the development of this issue of postage stamps.
