Skip to content

We ask you, urgently: don’t scroll past this

Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources—essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.

Help Now >

Scientists reconstruct the face of St. Nicholas

What does Santa Claus really look like?

Scientists at a university in Liverpool have unveiled what they say is the most realistic portrait ever created of St. Nicholas of Myra, the popular 4th century bishop best known as the inspiration for the modern-day figure of Santa Claus.

The face of St. Nicholas, reconstructed by scholars.

The face of St. Nicholas, reconstructed by scholars.

Highlights

By CNA News
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
12/7/2017 (7 years ago)

Published in Christian Saints & Heroes

Keywords: St. Nicholas, face, Santa Claus

Liverpool, England (CNA) - Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University's Face Lab used a facial reconstruction system and 3D interactive technology to create the portrait, which was unveiled on Dec. 6, 2014 - the feast day of St. Nicholas.

University Professor Caroline Wilkinson said the reconstruction relied on "all the skeletal and historical material" available, the BBC reports. A university spokeswoman said the new image uses "the most up-to-date anatomical standards, Turkish tissue depth data and CGI techniques."
Among the features depicted in the saint's image is a broken nose, which Wilkinson said had "healed asymmetrically, giving him a characteristic nose and rugged facial appearance."

St. Nicholas lived 270-343 A.D. He was the bishop of Myra, in southern Turkey.

During his years as bishop, he was imprisoned during the Diocletian persecution, then later released when Constantine came to power.

He was known for his staunch defense of the faith, as well as his often anonymous generosity toward those in need.

Stories surrounding the saint abound. He is believed to have once rescued three sisters from being sold into slavery by throwing bags of gold through an open window into their house to pay their family's debts.

Another popular story holds that he became so enraged by the heretic Arius -- who claimed that Christ was not truly God -- that he punched him during a heated debate at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.

Based on the broken nose in the saint's facial reconstruction, maybe Arius punched him back.

This article was originally published on CNA Dec. 11, 2016.
Correction: This article initially said the facial reconstruction was unveiled in 2016. It was unveiled in 2014.

---


'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'


Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Advent / Christmas 2024

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.