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30 November 2021
Anecdotes
Saint-Nicolas is known for rewarding good children, but did you know that he was also the patron saint of boatmen? He has a strong presence in Creil Sud Oise, and has long been celebrated in the south of the Oise!
Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of good children
6 December is Saint Nicholas Day.
Known for rewarding children's good behaviour with gifts or treatsHe is celebrated like Santa Claus in many parts of the world, including in France, where he is also known as Father Christmas. Lorraine, of which he is the patron saint.
But Saint-Nicolas also has a role that is perhaps a little less well known, but which has a very strong link with our region: he's the patron saint of boatmen!
Saint-Nicolas, patron saint of boatmen
The Inland waterway transport was a highly developed activity until the arrival of the railways.and closely linked to the world of quarrymen. The stone transport of our many careers was via the river Oiseon boats that were called " Besognes ".
These stones transported in this way were used to build many buildings in the area, but also in Paris.
A boss with a strong presence in Creil Sud Oise
Our churches are built using local stone, numerous references to Saint-Nicolas.
One example is the hamlet of Barisseuse, not far from Saint-Vaast-lès-Mellowhich features a chapel named Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Nicolas.
À Saint-Leu-d'EsserentThe large church commonly known as the "Abbatiale" is actually called the "Abbey Church".Saint-Nicolas church.
Inside the church, there is a carved stone altarpiece depicting part of the legend of Saint Nicholas, with the famous story of the resurrection of the 3 children who were held captive by a butcher.
Patron saint of boatmen: why?
So why is Saint Nicolas the patron saint of boatmen?
The story of the three rescued children in the salt cellar can be interpreted as an allegory of sailors saved from shipwreckon the ferry symbolising the boat, and the salt the sea.
All along France's waterways are chapels dedicated to Saint Nicolas.