Changes

== The Real Person ==

== The Real Person ==

=== Early Life ===

=== Early Life ===

Nicholas was born between 260 and 280 AD into a wealthy family in the village of Patara, in the [[Rome|Roman]] province of [[Lycia]], part of ancient [[Asia Minor]] and also part of modern [[Turkey]].<ref name=NickCtr>Authors not available, "[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38 Who is Saint Nicholas?]," ''[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23 The Saint Nicholas Center]'', 2002-2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=NickCenter2>Authors not available, "[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=37 Was Saint Nicholas a Real Person?]," ''[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23 The Saint Nicholas Center]'', 2002-2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=CT>Ted Olsen, "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/christmas/nick.html The Real Saint Nicholas]," ''[http://www.christianitytoday.com Christianity Today]'' holiday newsletter. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref> His parents perished in an [[epidemic]] while he was still a young man. Inspired by the words of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] to the rich young ruler<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Mark|chap=10|verses=21|version=KJV}}</ref>, Nicholas literally sold what he had and used it all to aid the poor, the infirm, and the suffering. He swiftly gained a reputation as a man of [[God]] and became quite popular in the city of Myra because of his many charitable activities.<ref name=NickCtr/> Indeed, in a highly unusual move, won election as Bishop of that city, though he was a layman.<ref name=NickCenter2/><ref name=CT/>

Nicholas was born between 260 and 280 AD into a wealthy family in the village of Patara, in the [[Rome|Roman]] province of [[Lycia]], part of ancient [[Asia Minor]] and also part of modern [[Turkey]].<ref name=NickCtr>Authors not available, "[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38 Who is Saint Nicholas?]," ''[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23 The Saint Nicholas Center]'', 2002-2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=NickCenter2>Authors not available, "[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=37 Was Saint Nicholas a Real Person?]," ''[http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23 The Saint Nicholas Center]'', 2002-2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=CT>Ted Olsen, "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/christmas/nick.html The Real Saint Nicholas]," ''[http://www.christianitytoday.com Christianity Today]'' holiday newsletter. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref> His parents perished in an [[epidemic]] while he was still a young man. Inspired by the words of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] to the rich young ruler<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Mark|chap=10|verses=21|version=KJV}}</ref>, Nicholas literally sold what he had and used it all to aid the poor, the infirm, and the suffering. He swiftly gained a reputation as a man of [[God]] and became quite popular in the city of Myra because of his many charitable activities.<ref name=NickCtr/> Indeed, in a highly unusual move, Nicholas won election as Bishop of that city, though he was a layman.<ref name=NickCenter2/><ref name=CT/>

The Roman [[Emperor]] [[Diocletian]], one of the worst of the persecutory Emperors, banished Nicholas and had him imprisoned.<ref name=NickCtr/><ref name=CT/> Then, in 305 AD everything began to change with the coming of [[Constantine]]. Roman persecution in the eastern half of the Empire continued until AD 311--and then co-Emperor [[Galerius]] died, and his successor [[Licinius]] instituted a tolerant policy. Nicholas thus won release from prison and returned to Myra.<ref name=NickCtr/>

The Roman [[Emperor]] [[Diocletian]], one of the worst of the persecutory Emperors, banished Nicholas and had him imprisoned.<ref name=NickCtr/><ref name=CT/> Then, in 305 AD everything began to change with the coming of [[Constantine]]. Roman persecution in the eastern half of the Empire continued until AD 311--and then co-Emperor [[Galerius]] died, and his successor [[Licinius]] instituted a tolerant policy. Nicholas thus won release from prison and returned to Myra.<ref name=NickCtr/>