time

"ticking away the moments that make up a dull day

you fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way

kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town

waiting for someone or something to show you the way"

It is time for joy and celebration .
Today is “Mos Nicolae” – Saint Nicholas day . In Romania , this is the beginning of the winter and also the beginning of the holidays season .

Saint Nicholas "victory of the people” (in greek) was a Greek saint and Bishop of Myra (in modern-day Antalya province, Turkey) in the third century . He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus.
Among Orthodox Christians, the historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, children and also the patron saint of many cities around the world . He is also the patron saint of all of Greece.

There are a lot of legends and tales of his life , deeds and miracles . In the Middle Ages he was celebrated as true people's saint .
He is considered to be the “original” Santa Claus but the association with Christmas was made in modern times ( in Romania in the 19th century ). Saint Nicholas Day is a festival for children in much of Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. The metamorphosis of Saint Nicholas into the commercially more interesting Santa Claus, took several centuries in Europe and America .In Romania children typically leave their boots on the windowsill or by the door on the evening of December 5. By next morning Nicholas - Mos Nicolae /Sfantul Nicolae (in Romanian) leaves candy and gifts if they have been good, or a small tree branch / rod (nuielusa – in Romanian) if they have been bad (most kids end up getting lots of candy but also a small rod) .

You can find the “time” on the black church’s tower . the church was under renovation for 15 years I think and when they finished they replaced the old , tired clock with this new , beautifully painted modern one . as you can see , the year was 1999 . great job !