{"id":2383513,"date":"2024-12-25T08:04:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-25T13:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/archaeologists-make-major-discovery-days-before-christmas-final-resting-place-of-real-st-nicholas\/"},"modified":"2024-12-25T08:06:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-25T13:06:48","slug":"archaeologists-make-major-discovery-days-before-christmas-final-resting-place-of-real-st-nicholas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/archaeologists-make-major-discovery-days-before-christmas-final-resting-place-of-real-st-nicholas\/","title":{"rendered":"Archaeologists Make Major Discovery Days Before Christmas: Final Resting Place of Real St. Nicholas"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Farchaeologists-make-major-discovery-days-before-christmas-final-resting-place-of-real-st-nicholas%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2383513&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Archaeologists \u200din Turkey have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wwe-boss-vince-mcmahon-steps-down-amid-messy-sex-scandal-investigation\/\" title=\"WWE Boss Vince McMahon Steps Down Amid Messy Sex Scandal Investigation\">reportedly uncovered<\/a> what they believe too be the sarcophagus of Saint Nicholas,the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/san-francisco-school-board-president-critics-of-decision-to-rename-schools-undermining-anti-racism\/\" title=\"San Francisco School Board President: Critics Of Decision To Rename Schools \u2018Undermining Anti-Racism\u2019\">historical figure<\/a> who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. This discovery occurred near the St. Nicholas Church in Demre, \u200dAntalya, where excavation \u200dwork has been ongoing since \u20641989.The sarcophagus, made of local limestone and buried nearly two meters underground, was partially unearthed, with hopes of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">finding critical inscriptions<\/a> that could confirm the tomb&#8217;s contents and dating.<\/p>\n<p>The excavation is led by Ebru Fatma Findik from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University and is supported by Turkey\u2019s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The location \u200bof\u2062 the sarcophagus aligns with historical accounts suggesting St. Nicholas was buried near Myra&#8217;s sacred\u200d area, thus \u200bproviding archaeological confirmation of long-held beliefs about his burial site.<\/p>\n<p>Saint Nicholas,who lived in the 4th Century,was known for his generosity and is\u2064 believed to have been a bishop of\u2064 Myra. His legacy evolved into\u2064 the modern figure of Santa claus, particularly through\u2062 the \u200cpersistence of his story\u2062 in various cultures, influenced by the redistribution of his relics and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/l-a-archbishop-decries-rise-of-globalism-anti-christian-elite-leadership-class\/\" title=\"L.A. Archbishop Decries Rise of Globalism, Anti-Christian \u2018Elite Leadership Class\u2019\">local traditions<\/a>.\u200d The recent findings could bring critically important historical validation to the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>As Christmas approached, archaeologists near the southern coast of Turkey appeared to have unearthed a sarcophagus belonging to one of the holy men the Santa Claus mythos is said to originate from.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.turkiyetoday.com\/culture\/could-sarcophagus-in-turkiyes-antalya-hold-remains-of-st-nicholas-known-as-santa-claus-89539\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Turkiye Today<\/a>, work at the St. Nicholas Church in Demre, Antalya, has been ongoing since 1989 in the area where the discovery was made.<\/p>\n<p>The apparent grave of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/know-real-st-nicholas-buried-warrior-christ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Saint Nicholas<\/a> himself was only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/400-years-later-i-made-new-discoveries-about-the-first-thanksgiving\/\" title=\"400 Years Later, I Made New Discoveries About The First Thanksgiving\">recently found<\/a>, and as of Dec. 6, work was still underway to fully uncover it.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, only the lid had been fully unearthed.<\/p>\n<p>The excavation is led by Hatay Mustafa Kemal University associate professor Ebru Fatma Findik and backed by Turkey&rsquo;s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>The sarcophagus itself is made of local limestone quarried from somewhere in the surrounding area.<\/p>\n<p>Buried nearly two meters under the surface, a primary problem faced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/surprising-1500-year-old-church-intriguing-christian-wall-art-discovered-israeli-archaeologists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archaeologists<\/a> is how to fully uncover the grave while preserving any information carved into the surface.<\/p>\n<p>Carvings and other stonework could provide vital clues to the tomb&rsquo;s occupant. The burial chamber itself may also hold critical names or dates.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our biggest hope is to find an inscription on the sarcophagus,&rdquo; Findik said. &ldquo;This would help clarify the burial contents and allow us to determine the exact period it dates to.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Most telling of all may be the discovery&rsquo;s location.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Some sources suggest that St. Nicholas was buried near the sacred area of the city of Myra,&rdquo; Findik said. &ldquo;The fact that we have found a sarcophagus near the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/punk-picks-worst-church-possible-burglarize-meets-jiu-jitsu-pastor-put-hurry-police\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">church<\/a>, which is thought to house his tomb, may indicate that this is indeed the sacred area we have been searching for.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a significant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/mysterious-construct-appears-melting-glacier\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archaeological confirmation<\/a> of historical sources regarding the burial place of St. Nicholas.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">&#128680;&#9888;&#65039;Archaeologists in Turkey have reportedly uncovered what they believe to be the tomb of Saint Nicholas, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Santa Claus.<\/p>\n<p>Source: X <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Hg5RZltRvD\">pic.twitter.com\/Hg5RZltRvD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dr. Noel JR (@mwango_noel) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mwango_noel\/status\/1865318299052966398?\">December 7, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The 4th Century saint that flourished in Asia Minor was not quite the jolly red-suited man that can be seen swigging Coca-Cola when the holidays begin.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Saint-Nicholas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Britannica<\/a>, no proof of the Lycian St. Nicholas&rsquo; existence can be found in historical documents. Discovery of hard evidence of the saint on the recently-found tomb would undoubtedly be big news.<\/p>\n<p>The real St. Nicholas is believed to have been a bishop of Myra.<\/p>\n<p>He was likely imprisoned and tortured under Emperor Diocletian but later freed by Constantine the Great. The saint is also believed to have attended the Council of Nicaea, where he is said to have struck a heretic.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of throwing hands with heretics, St. Nicholas was also known for his legendary generosity.<\/p>\n<p>After his death, the legend of his storied and devout life grew, and a shrine was erected at the Myra church by the 6th Century. In 1087, sailors stole some of his alleged remains and took them back to their native Italy.<\/p>\n<p>The bones these pious pirates pilfered were enshrined at the San Nicola Basilica in Bari, Italy, where the relics remain on display.<\/p>\n<p>Britannica stated, the legend of St. Nicholas, enflamed by the relocation of the relic bones, spread throughout Europe and persisted until it was abandoned by Protestant countries after the Reformation.<\/p>\n<p>The lone exception was Holland, where he was venerated in the Dutch tongue as Sinterklaas.<\/p>\n<p>Colonists from the Low Countries brought tales of Sinterklaas to the unforgiving winter nights of New Amsterdam &mdash; now New York City. The legend was then absorbed and anglicized by English colonists as Santa Claus.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you know him as Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, St. Nicholas, or just Ol&rsquo; Saint Nick, the figure stands as an enduring testament to Christianity&rsquo;s foundational place in Western culture.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Christmas neared, archaeologists in southern Turkey reportedly discovered a sarcophagus believed to belong to a figure associated with the Santa Claus legend. Turkiye Today reports that excavations at St. Nicholas Church in Demre, Antalya, have been ongoing since 1989 in the vicinity of this find. The grave thought to be that of Saint Nicholas was only recently uncovered, and as of December 6, efforts were still being made to fully reveal it. Earlier this month, only the lid had been exposed. The excavation is led by Ebru Fatma Findik, an associate professor at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, with support from Turkey\u2019s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.<\/p>\n<p>The sarcophagus is crafted from local limestone sourced from nearby quarries and lies nearly two meters underground. A significant challenge for archaeologists is how to excavate the grave while preserving any inscriptions on its surface that could provide important information about its occupant. Findik expressed hope for discovering an inscription on the sarcophagus that would clarify its contents and help date it accurately.<\/p>\n<p>The location of the discovery adds weight to its significance; some sources suggest St. Nicholas was buried near Myra&#8217;s sacred area. Findik noted that finding a sarcophagus close to what is believed to be his tomb may confirm historical accounts regarding St. Nicholas&#8217;s burial site.<\/p>\n<p>Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity rather than resembling today&#8217;s jolly Santa Claus figure associated with holiday advertising campaigns like Coca-Cola commercials. Historical records do not provide concrete evidence of his existence; however, finding tangible proof within this newly discovered tomb would be monumental news.<\/p>\n<p>St. Nicholas served as bishop in Myra and faced imprisonment under Emperor Diocletian before being released by Constantine the Great; he also attended the Council of Nicaea where he famously confronted heretics physically. Following his death, stories about his virtuous life grew leading to a shrine established at Myra church by the 6th century.<\/p>\n<p>In 1087 sailors took some remains attributed to him back to Italy where they are now housed at San Nicola Basilica in Bari\u2014this act helped spread legends about him across Europe until Protestant countries largely abandoned them after Reformation times except for Holland where he became known as Sinterklaas\u2014a tradition brought over by colonists which evolved into Santa Claus in New York City.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of whether referred as Santa Claus or Sinterklaas or simply Saint Nick\u2014the character symbolizes Christianity\u2019s deep-rooted influence on Western culture<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2383514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/St-Nicholas-Tomb.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[20865,6922,45125,47380],"class_list":["post-2383513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-archaeology","tag-christmas","tag-historical-discovery","tag-st-nicholas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/St-Nicholas-Tomb.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2383513"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383513\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2383517,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383513\/revisions\/2383517"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2383514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2383513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2383513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2383513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}