- Freepik
VIVA – An abandoned medieval village in Ireland is thought may hold a mysterious Christmas legend. Amidst green hilly pastures full of grazing sheep and graveyards with headstones dating back to the 13th century, the ruins of St. Nicholas Church loom over the family home of Maeve and Joe O'Connell.
Those who rest forever here are early residents of the estate, parishioners of the church, and according to local legend, St. Nicholas of Myra. Yes, Saint Nick inspired Santa Claus.
Today, the O'Connell families are the owners and sole (living) residents of Jerpoint Park, an abandoned mid-12th-century town. The 120-hectare town is located 20 kilometers south of the Irish city of Kilkenny.
Located along the crossing point of the River Nore and the Little Arrigle River, the settlement (formerly called Newtown Jerpoint) is thought to have been founded by the Normans, who arrived in Ireland in 1160 AD.
According to a conservation plan drawn up by the Irish Heritage Council, the town flourished until the 15th century, with archaeological evidence of houses, markets, towers, bridges, roads, mills, water management systems, and the nearby Jerpoint Abbey, which still stands today.
As quoted from the BBC website, Sunday, December 25, 2022, the O'Connells, believe that local legends can explain such extraordinary claims. "Legend says it's always been here," Maeve said as he showed me around the property, accompanied by Tim, a friendly chocolate Labrador.
Santo Nicholas dari Myra yang menginspirasi Sinterklas.
- Alamy/BBC
He looked at the ornate stone statue in the church cemetery. The flat tombstone depicts a standing male figure, with both thumbs together, and palms facing outward, referring to the generous nature of the person buried. "He was a giver," Maeve says.
The symbolism requires little explanation for anyone who, as a child, received gifts from Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and the many other monikers of St. Nicholas.
Although Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of believers, the one who inspired those legendary figures was a mortal man, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Turkey.
Before becoming a saint, Nicholas was an orphaned boy born in the ancient Roman city of Patara. St. Nicholas gave his inheritance to "the needy, the sick, and the poor", according to Vatican News.
He became Bishop of Myra, which is now part of Turkey; attended the Council of Nicea in 325, which declared Jesus to be the son of God; died in Myra on December 6, 343, and was buried there.
However, the exact location of St. Nicholas' tomb remains an enigma to historians. Some believe his tomb is intact under the floor of St. Nicholas Church in Antalya, Turkey.
Others claim St. Nicholas' body was stolen and moved to Bari, Italy, in a crypt under the Basilica di San Nicola. Furthermore, many argue that St. Nick's remains were taken, and then sold, traded, or gifted to people and churches around the world.
