OT: terribly bad joke to share

[SaQSoN]

Originally Posted by MiloMorai

Go to the link I posted Max.

"In Russia, under the influence of communism, St. Nicolas evolved into the secular Father Frost. He distributes toys to children on New Year's Eve."

Marvelous! "Under influence of communism". Ha-ha. So, this guys, who wrote that, have no idea, that St.Nicolas is Catholic saint, while most of the Russia and neighboring countries are Orthodox Christians and hence don't care about Catholic mythic figures. Therefore the St.Nicolas myth have never been popular, or even widely known in Russia, until late XX century.
On contrary, a similar figure, "Old Man Frost" (Дед Мороз literary translates into Grand-Farther Frost, yet, a correct translation would be "Old Man Frost") is a reminder of pre-christian period of Russian mythology and is a part of the Slavic Pagan pantheon.
Apparently, this myth blended into Russian Orthodox Christian tradition thousand years ago and, similarly to St.Nicolas, become an icon of Orthodox Christmas.

During the Soviet period of Russian history religion was banned at first and religious holidays weren't celebrated. But the Old Man Frost and generally Christmas celebration was so popular, particularly among children, that in late 1920-s it was "resurrected", along with the Christmas tree as a part of the New Year celebration, which wasn't anymore a religious holiday and thus could go along with the Communist ideology.

Back on topic: I, obviously, know about Santa and his deers. I even know, one of them, supposedly, called Rudolf. But I still don't get it. And it seems, not just me.

[MiloMorai]

Guess you had better edit Wiki SaQSoN.

In 325, he was one of many bishops to answer the request of Constantine and appear at the First Council of Nicaea. There, Nicolas was a staunch anti-Arian and defender of the Orthodox Christian position, and one of the bishops who signed the Nicene Creed.

Saint Nicholas is a popular subject portrayed on countless Eastern Orthodox icons, particularly Russian ones. He is depicted as an Orthodox bishop, wearing the omophorion and holding a Gospel Book. Sometimes he is depicted wearing the Eastern Orthodox mitre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas