NICHOLAS2. No historical evidence of St. Nicholas's life exists. Legend says that he died on December 6, A.D. 345 or 352. He was supposed to have been bishop of Myra or Lycia sometime during the fourth century and became patron saint of students. He was sometimes reputed to have been holy from infancy, feeding from his mother's breast only once on Wednesdays and Fridays. In Germany, the legend that he provided dowries for poor girls was combined with local folklore, and St. Nicholas became bringer of secret presents for children on the eve of his feast day (NCE X: 454; Legenda aurea III).
The holiness of the schoolboy martyr reminds the Prioress of the holiness of the infant St. Nicholas, PrT 513-515.