The Mikulas tradition takes place on the evening of December 5th. This day is almost as important as Christmas in the Czech Republic. Mikulas honors Saint Nicholas, a bishop born in Greece during the 3rd century. He was the patron saint of children and the downtrodden.
In the Czech tradition Mikulas walks the streets accompanied by an angel and a devil. The children are asked to recite a song or a poem.
Now comes the test, Mikulas asks the children if they have been good during the past year. If good is the answer the kids are given candies, fruits or nuts by the angel. If bad, the kids receive lumps of coal or a potato by the devil, so children are forewarned what they might expect at Christmas, so shape up.
Growing up in Cleveland during the 1940’s and 50’s our family tradition was to hang a sock up on December 5th then go up to bed. The next morning, we would pile out of bed and rush downstairs to see how Mikulas had treated us. I for one, was often but not always the recipient of a lump of coal or a potato. My older sister, much wiser than me, and my younger brother were more apt to get candy, pencils or a coloring book.
So, there you have it, the tradition in the Czech Republic and how Mikulas Day was experienced in my home.
praguego.com/honest-tips/saint-nicholas-day/
praguevisitor.eu/czech-christmas/
tresbohemes.com/2016/12/tradition-svaty-mikulas/