Twelve Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Duluth celebrated St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6 by spreading holiday cheer in similar fashion to Bishop Nicholas - the Turkish saint after whom Santa Claus is named. Nine volunteers from the church handed out free coffee, hot cocoa and cookies on the sidewalk in front of the church to neighbors and other passers-by.
St. Nicholas Day commemorates Bishop Nicholas' generosity to help his poor neighbor who was unable to provide his three daughters with marriage dowries - virtually dooming them to poverty. Saint Nicholas is said to have stealthily and anonymously tossed through the window three bags of gold that landed in stockings drying by the fire.
