The history of Santa Claus may surprise you. Santa Claus’s real name is St. Nicholas, and he was a bishop in fourth century turkey. He was a very rich man whose parents died when he was young and left him with a lot of money. He already had a reputation for giving to the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed them. Following Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his inheritance to assist the poor, the sick, and the suffering. Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith; he was exiled and imprisoned. He was released and attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He later died in December, 6 AD 343 in Turkey.