'''Saint Nicholas''' (ca. 270-6 December 343 AD) ([[Greek]]: Νικόλαος, Nikolaos, "victory of the people") was a bishop in the pre-[[Constantine]] church, a delegate to the [[Council of Nicaea]], and a true champion of justice--a quite honorable enough memory for any man. Today, most people remember only his name, a name they attach to a [[God-substitute|God-substitutionary]] [[mythology|mythical]] figure with a reputation for secret gift-giving and the bestowing of rewards according to works rather than grace. | '''Saint Nicholas''' (ca. 270-6 December 343 AD) ([[Greek]]: Νικόλαος, Nikolaos, "victory of the people") was a bishop in the pre-[[Constantine]] church, a delegate to the [[Council of Nicaea]], and a true champion of justice--a quite honorable enough memory for any man. Today, most people remember only his name, a name they attach to a [[God-substitute|God-substitutionary]] [[mythology|mythical]] figure with a reputation for secret gift-giving and the bestowing of rewards according to works rather than grace. |