St Nicholas & the Boy Bishop arrive

St Nicholas at the Crib

The original, true and real Santa Claus & Father Christmas, St Nicholas of Myra, visited St Matthew's as part of our 11.00am Eucharist service. The congregation and local schools each gave individual wrapped Christmas presents which were blessed and later delivered to the Whitechapel Mission to distribute to and brighten the Christmas of more than 50 needy children.

St Nicholas was accompanied by a Nicholas or Boy Bishop. This was once a popular tradition throughout Europe, reaching its height in the 16th century, and continuing in some places until the 19th century.  Being a Boy Bishop for the church was a bit like being "mayor-for-a-day".  The custom of selecting a youthful Nicholas Bishop has been revived and updated in some English cathedrals and parishes. Now, as before, the boy, or sometimes girl, is fully fitted out as a bishop, with cope, mitre and carrying a Bishop's crozier.

St Nicholas's visit was kindly arranged by the Revd Canon Dr James M Rosenthal, of the St Nicholas Society, who also took the service.

Revd Canon Dr James M Rosenthal leads the service before arrival of St Nicholas