After his death, the miracles that began to be attributed to him are very numerous. According to some, he resurrected children who had been murdered by a butcher. Saint Nicholas then becomes the protector of children and by extension of the weakest.
Every year, during the night of December 5th to 6th, St. Nicholas comes down from the sky and enters the houses through the chimneys to distribute sweets to the good children (chocolates, apples, candies, dried fruits, gingerbread). As for the children, they must deposit a glass of milk for him, before bedtime. St. Nicholas historically travels with his donkey. For this reason, little children must also bring food for the donkey (hay, grain or carrots).
However, Saint Nicholas and his donkey are not the only ones to go around the houses. They are also accompanied by the scary Père Fouettard (whip father.) This character dressed in black and with a long black beard is in charge of punishing children who are not good. In some regions, he canes the children, in others, he threatens to carry them away in his bag and sometimes he distributes coal, onions or potatoes. Yikes!
During the first weekend of December, many parades celebrating the arrival of Saint Nicholas are organized in the cities. The bishop, accompanied by his donkey and the Père Fouettard, parade in the streets on different floats and distribute sweets. The parades organized for St. Nicholas are particularly magical in the French region of Lorraine, because he is the patron saint of this region. In the cities of Nancy and Metz, the parades even end with a fireworks display.
Every year, during the night of December 5th to 6th, St. Nicholas comes down from the sky and enters the houses through the chimneys to distribute sweets to the good children (chocolates, apples, candies, dried fruits, gingerbread). As for the children, they must deposit a glass of milk for him, before bedtime. St. Nicholas historically travels with his donkey. For this reason, little children must also bring food for the donkey (hay, grain or carrots).
However, Saint Nicholas and his donkey are not the only ones to go around the houses. They are also accompanied by the scary Père Fouettard (whip father.) This character dressed in black and with a long black beard is in charge of punishing children who are not good. In some regions, he canes the children, in others, he threatens to carry them away in his bag and sometimes he distributes coal, onions or potatoes. Yikes!
During the first weekend of December, many parades celebrating the arrival of Saint Nicholas are organized in the cities. The bishop, accompanied by his donkey and the Père Fouettard, parade in the streets on different floats and distribute sweets. The parades organized for St. Nicholas are particularly magical in the French region of Lorraine, because he is the patron saint of this region. In the cities of Nancy and Metz, the parades even end with a fireworks display.
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