Muslims invaders conquered the region in the A.D. 1000s, killing Christians and converting churches into mosques. Christians transferred the bones of Nicholas to Italy, and the tradition of Saint Nicholas (now Santa Claus) became popular in the West. | Muslims invaders conquered the region in the A.D. 1000s, killing Christians and converting churches into mosques. Christians transferred the bones of Nicholas to Italy, and the tradition of Saint Nicholas (now Santa Claus) became popular in the West. |