Liturgy, Songs, and Carols for the Feast of St. Nicholas

on Nov. 16, 2025 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Learn about the origin story of jolly old St. Nicholas through medieval songs, devotionals, carols, and short stories from before he got his red suit and sleigh.


We know that Santa Claus, sometimes known as St. Nicholas, delivers gifts on the night before Christmas. But who was thi mysterious saint, and how was he known to people in medieval Europe? Back then, Christmas was a solemn feast that honored the Christ child, while St. Nicholas’s feast day, December 6th, was much more the jolly, gift-giving event of the Advent season.  

This concert presents music that spans from liturgical chant to informal songs, showcasing that people of all stations in life made merry in honor of St. Nicholas. Music associated with St. Nicholas is tuneful, jubilant, and full of references to the stories and miracles surrounding his life. We will feature some texts that have different melodies associated with them, attesting to the popularity of these stories and the way they transmitted across Europe.

We’ll round out the concert with a few favorite tunes from the Advent and Christmas season. Please join us for this joyous and festive occasion!

Ticket Information

Pricing
$20/$5 (suggested donation)
Tickets by Phone
309-368-2174
Info via Email
sciviasensemble@gmail.com

Scivias Medieval Ensemble

Scivias serves to reimagine and rearrange medieval music for treble voices at a professional level. The ensemble is devoted to educating the Rochester community about the delightful sounds of music from the 11th to the 15th centuries.