Saint Nicholas of Myra was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent who served in the city of Myra in Anatolia during the Roman Empire. He is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession. Saint Nicholas is regarded as the patron saint of sailors, merchants, children, students and several other groups in various European cities and countries. His habit of secret gift-giving is one source of the folklore of Santa Claus.