He rested in peace more than 1600 years, and NOW someone has an issue with him?
Before Coca Cola turned a certain ‘Jolly old elf’ into a seasonal mascot, there was a Bishop Nicholas (later Sainted, hence the name) whose life and generosity became the foundation of what later became modern Saint Nicholas traditions, using the family wealth he had inherited to bless the lives of others.
Those of us who prize the creeds will remember him for the day he went to a synod and punched (or possibly slapped?) arch-heretic Arius in the face over a particularly critical question of doctrine that became enshrined in the creeds.
His natural life came to an end, as all lives do, on December 6th of 343 AD. He was buried in Turkey, where he lived. His remains were carried away to Italy (oddly, in two trips) and were reunited in what would have been his final resting place in Venice. There he remained until the current news cycle.
But not all of him was laid to rest in Venice. Some portion of his remains became part of a tradition in the aptly-named Nicholas-De-Port, near the German border in France. One man was caught on camera breaking the glass, seizing some portion of his bones, and destroying them.
According to statements from church authorities, he admitted to breaking the protective display case, taking the relic, and then destroying it by burning and crushing it.
Suspect: I destroyed it because I considered it idolatry
According to information released by the Saint-Nicolas-en-Lorraine parish, the suspect stated that he had acted spontaneously, driven by the desire to destroy the relic.
He considered the veneration that believers give to the bones of saints to be a form of idolatry or religious fetishism.
The investigations also relied on footage from the basilica’s security cameras, which helped identify the suspected perpetrator. — Express
Not that ClashDaily is a big fan of the ‘holy relics’ trend or anything, but…
Stole and destroyed human remains over claims of idolatry? Huh. That’s weirdly specific. And no description or name of the offender was offered? How odd.
Whatever motive could be possibly be driving such a crime?
Apropos of nothing, this seems a relevant point to bring up:
The twenty-first century has witnessed a noticeable rise in systematic discrimination and hostility targeting Christians across several European countries. This trend has generated growing concern within human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and religious communities both inside and outside the European Union. In parallel, the EU has taken what many consider a significant step by formally recognizing the concept of “Christianophobia” as a distinct form of discrimination requiring legislative and institutional attention.
First: Christianophobia — Defining the Phenomenon and Its Scope
The term Christianophobia refers to hostility, hatred, or discrimination directed against individuals or groups because of their Christian faith. As acknowledged by the European Parliament, it is understood as part of a broader pattern of intolerance that undermines freedom of religion and belief. This phenomenon may manifest in various forms, including:
Hate crimes and incitement against Christians
Attacks on churches and religious properties
Marginalization of Christian symbols and heritage in public discourse
Legal or institutional discrimination in certain contexts
The concept is not framed merely as an emotional or political claim; rather, it is supported by documented incidents and research indicating an increase in acts of hostility and bias against Christians in parts of Europe. —Times
Isn’t it good that we have no such hostility to things we hold sacred closer to home?
Oh, wait…
