The town Myra is known to students of the New Testament as a place where Paul transferred ships while he was being taken to Rome for trial before Caesar (Acts 27:5).
In the centuries following, Myra became the home of a (Greek Orthodox) bishop known as Nicholas. Born in Patara, Nicholas died December 6, 343. Several legends arose around Nicholas who was noted for giving gifts to the poor and raising the dead.
Highly revered in Greece and Russia, St. Nicholas is known as the patron saint of children, sailors, merchants, and scholars. From his life of piety, kindness, and generosity arose the legendary figure celebrated today as St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. (Fant & Reddish, A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey, 256)
The ancient Myra is associated with the modern Turkish town Demre (or Kale). I thought you might enjoy seeing a few pictures related to Saint Nicholas. In the town square is a recent statue showing St. Nicholas with children. The statue was a gift of the Russian government in 2000. Many Russian tourists were visiting the day I was there.
Modern statue of Saint Nicholas at Myra. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
A few decades ago I saw an older statue near the entrance to the church. It now has a fresh coat of black paint.
Older statue of St. Nicholas near the entrance of the Byzantine church ruins.This statue depicts him carrying a bag of gifts. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
The Byzantine church dates to the 6th century A.D. Several writers point out that the sarcophagus of Nicholas was broken into by Italian merchants in the 1087 A.D., and his bones were taken to Bari, Italy.
Wilson says the church is built like a basilica “in the shape of an orthodox cross” (Biblical Turkey 88).
Ruins of the St. Nicholas Byzantine church, Myra, Turkey. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
This last photo shows one of the poorly preserved frescoes.
Fresco on the wall of St. Nicholas church in Demre. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
Tourism seems to be thriving at Myra even though the town is off the beaten track. Whether there are any Christians in the town is doubtful.
For an earlier post about Myra and St. Nicholas, see here.
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
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