aindreas.com

The remains of St Nicholas of Myra, the philanthropist who lived in the 4th century and was the bishop of Lycia, are believed to have been moved to Jerpoint Abbey some 800 years ago.

The bishop was originally buried at a local church in Myra, in modern day Turkey, when he died. Historians now believe his body was later moved to the abbey in Ireland by early crusaders. 

Chairman of Callan Heritage Society Philip Lynch said that the remains were twice transferred across Europe in the 12th century. 

Mr Lynch said a French family called the de Frainets moved the saint’s remains from Myra to Italy in 1169. A relative called Nicholas de Frainet then took the remains to Ireland when his family relocated there and built a dedicated Cistercian abbey to the saint at Jerpoint. 

“St Nicholas Church is still standing and there is a slab on the ground which marks St Nicholas’s grave,” he said.
He was known for offering anonymous gifts to those that were less fortunate and is said to have put coins in the shoes of people who left them out for him.He became the original ‘Santa Claus’.