Christmas comes early with find

Archaeologists in Turkey have made a discovery that could settle a century-old debate . . . and disappoint millions of children around the world.

They have unearthed what they believe to be the tomb of Father Christmas — St Nicholas — beneath a church in Demre, Antalya, birthplace of the 4th-century bishop. Cemil Karabayram, head of Antalya’s monument authority, said the crypt was discovered during electronic surveys of the church. “We believe this shrine has not been damaged at all, but it is quite difficult to get to it as there are mosaics on the floor.”

He said he was optimistic about uncovering St Nicholas’s remains.

The temple is almost intact but currently inaccessible due to the presence of stone reliefs that need to be preserved.

At the time of his death in AD 343, St Nicholas was interred at the church in Demre, where he lay undisturbed until the 11th century. It was previously thought his remains were smuggled to Bari, Italy, by merchants in 1087. Turkish experts claim the wrong bones were removed and those taken abroad belong to another local priest rather than the legendary bishop.

St Nicholas of Myra was known for his generosity towards children. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, a practice celebrated on his feast day, December 6. On one occasion, according to stories, he climbed down a chimney to leave his donation.

He was popularised in 16thcentury Europe as Father Christmas, who gave presents to young children. Dutch arrivals to the US called their version of St Nicholas “Sinterklaas”.