Johnson
04-26-2004, 01:57 AM
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/printable_template.jsp?show_print=no&backPageID=84&smpl_sakey=97
Angels lower St. Nicholas, or Svaty Mikuláš, down from heaven on a heavy golden cord. He comes with a basket of apples, nuts, and candies. On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, three figures—kindly St. Nicholas who gives gifts to children, a Devil who comes to take bad children away, and an Angel who pleads on their behalf-form a procession which marks the beginning of the Christmas season. In Prague there is a carnival with prizes for the best masks. In the early evening of his feast day, December 6, St. Nicholas visits children in their homes with his entourage of the devil and an angel.
Traditionally, he quizzed children on the prayer-book and the Bible. Today's questions are mostly about the previous year's behavior. The angel writes each child's record in a large book. Children sing or say a poem to the saint. The devil rattles his chains, threatening to carry bad children off, but the angel, with a gold star on her forehead and dressed in a white gown, protects the children. The good children receive stockings filled with tangerines, nuts, chocolates, and small gifts. It is said that bad children get old potatoes or coal in theirs. Parents and other relatives also give a St. Nicholas gift, which may be hidden so children must hunt to find it.
In Czech and Slovak traditions, a shaggy furred devil with horns, tail, and a long red tongue comes along with Saint Nicholas. He has a staff to threaten punishment. However, he is chained and an angel is there to protect the children.
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/czech-redcard-wmaster.jpg
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/czech-card-wmaster.jpg
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/angel-wmaster.jpg
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/devil-wmaster.jpg
Angels lower St. Nicholas, or Svaty Mikuláš, down from heaven on a heavy golden cord. He comes with a basket of apples, nuts, and candies. On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, three figures—kindly St. Nicholas who gives gifts to children, a Devil who comes to take bad children away, and an Angel who pleads on their behalf-form a procession which marks the beginning of the Christmas season. In Prague there is a carnival with prizes for the best masks. In the early evening of his feast day, December 6, St. Nicholas visits children in their homes with his entourage of the devil and an angel.
Traditionally, he quizzed children on the prayer-book and the Bible. Today's questions are mostly about the previous year's behavior. The angel writes each child's record in a large book. Children sing or say a poem to the saint. The devil rattles his chains, threatening to carry bad children off, but the angel, with a gold star on her forehead and dressed in a white gown, protects the children. The good children receive stockings filled with tangerines, nuts, chocolates, and small gifts. It is said that bad children get old potatoes or coal in theirs. Parents and other relatives also give a St. Nicholas gift, which may be hidden so children must hunt to find it.
In Czech and Slovak traditions, a shaggy furred devil with horns, tail, and a long red tongue comes along with Saint Nicholas. He has a staff to threaten punishment. However, he is chained and an angel is there to protect the children.
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/czech-redcard-wmaster.jpg
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/czech-card-wmaster.jpg
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/angel-wmaster.jpg
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/devil-wmaster.jpg