Saint Nicholas' Purse
The charity of Saint Nicholas (1640) by Cornelis de Vos
In one of the earliest attested and most famous incidents from the life of our namesake, Saint Nicholas of Myra is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack [a purse] of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them.
Another version of the same story suggests that Saint Nicholas threw the purses down the chimney and that they landed in stockings drying near the fire below [this version is thought to be the origin of today's Christmas Stockings tradition.]
Another version of the same story suggests that Saint Nicholas threw the purses down the chimney and that they landed in stockings drying near the fire below [this version is thought to be the origin of today's Christmas Stockings tradition.]
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Donations to The Purse are always needed.
If you wish to help, please follow the link to our Terri Lynn Fundraiser (below) or make a donation on the "How you can help" page. |
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