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[Josh reading]
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["We wish you a merry
Christmas" music playing]
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The story of Santa
is one we think we all know.
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But where did it come from?
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This legend that glows
long before Santa
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and Saint Nick were the same.
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It was Nick, a mere mortal
who started the flame.
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So who was this guy,
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the first man
with the sack?
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To discover the answers
we need to go back.
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["Carol of the Bells"
music playing]
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[Josh] Almost 2000 years
to a pre Santa time
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when Nick was a bishop.
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In his miracle Prime.
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It said he saved
a poor family,
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by giving them gold.
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And rescued those
drowning from
an ocean so cold.
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Did he resurrect children
who were pickled and dead.
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Or invade the dreams
of the emperor
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to dance in his head.
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His life also holds answers
to mysteries we share,
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like leaving
gifts out of sight
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or hanging stockings
with care.
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To unravel the legends.
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Saint Nick left clues behind.
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His body was buried
forever enshrined.
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But there's a twist
in the tale
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that leads us back to today.
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You see, his tomb was invaded,
his bones spirited away.
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His grave
was robbed twice.
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Believe it or not.
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And his final location
is argued a lot.
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Some say he's in Bari
or is it in Venice he rests.
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One guy is convinced
that he's in the Midwest.
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Can his bones be examined?
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Can we help crack the case?
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And could DNA
finally give Santa a face?
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The search for Saint Nick
and his bones is my mission.
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So let's find the fellow
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behind our
Christmas traditions.
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[narrator] The past
is all around us.
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Oh this is crazy.
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[narrator] A world of mystery.
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-[Josh] This is a plane.
-[man] Yeah.
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Ha-ha!
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[narrator] Danger.
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We are about
to be underwater.
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Whoa!
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[narrator] And adventure.
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[Josh] It's just
straight down.
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[gasping]
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[Josh] I travel
to the far corners
of the earth
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to uncover
where legends end.
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[shouting, laughs]
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And history begins.
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Let's punch it.
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I'm Josh Gates,
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and this is...
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[Josh reading]
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If you were
to close your eyes
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and summon the world
of Santa Claus,
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You'd almost certainly
picture yourself
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standing on freshly
fallen snow
at the North Pole.
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And not well here
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But it turns out
the legend of Santa
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or Noel Baba,
as he's known
in these parts,
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begins nearly 4000 miles
from Santa's workshop.
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Here on the edge
of the Mediterranean.
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Welcome
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to Turkey.
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This rugged spit of land
in the Mediterranean Sea
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is Gemiler Island,
the place of boats.
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It is said that sailors
stopped here
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for divine blessing
on their way to the Holy Land.
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But it is also known
as Saint Nicholas Island.
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And that's because
about 1700 years ago,
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a famous bishop
by that name
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was reportedly
laid to rest here.
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The centuries old
rumor says
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that this long
abandoned church,
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still sporting a set
of stunning mosaic floors,
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is the original
burial place of the man,
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who would eventually
become Santa.
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There's just one small issue.
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There is absolutely
no physical evidence
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that he was ever
interred here.
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And this
is the problem
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with the historical
Saint Nick.
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He's intertwined
with the world's most
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heartwarming holiday legend.
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So to find the man
behind the man
in the red suit,
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we have to follow
a very faint trail.
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One that leads
to the mainland.
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My Christmas wish comes true
in the form of a lift
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from some local fishermen.
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From here, it's a trip
along the rugged coast
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and through the mountains.
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To the historic
town of Myra,
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home to the haunting
cliff cut tombs
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from when this was a region
known as Lycia.
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It was near here
that a boy was born
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two well off Greek
Christian parents,
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At that time,
being Christian
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was a dangerous,
even fatal calling
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because the religion
was forbidden
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by law in the Roman Empire.
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This ancient city
was clearly constructed
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at a time of pagan gods
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with temples to Artemis
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and a soaring Greek
theater built to sing
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the praises
of many deities,
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But all that changes
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when Constantine
becomes emperor in 306
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and the Roman Empire
embraces Christianity.
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Suddenly, in the middle
of his life,
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a man named Nicholas
is free to preach.
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To learn how a simple priest
became a global phenomenon.
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I'm meeting author
and Saint Nicholas
biographer Jeremy Seal.
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Nice to meet you.
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[Jeremy] Nice to meet you too.
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[Josh] And I take it
from walking around here
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that this was once
a pretty bustling place?
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[Jeremy] Yeah,
an important place,
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connected by its port
at Andriaki,
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just down the road
to all the big cities
of the period.
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So we're talking about
Alexandria to the South,
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Jerusalem to the south,
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and then north to Rome,
Constantinople--
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-The North Pole
-[Jeremy] And indeed
the North Pole.
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-We won't forget that.
-Absolutely.
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Which brings us
to Saint Nicholas.
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Indeed it does.
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You wrote the book on him?
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-I did, indeed.
-[Josh] Literally.
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[Jeremy] Yes, literally.
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[Josh] I have
a lot of questions.
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-And so you
should have. Yeah.
-[Josh] Yeah.
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First of all, I can't find
much biographical information
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for him from when
he was alive.
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Nothing at all.
To be honest with you.
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-[Josh] Yeah.
-And the earliest references
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that we can rely upon
really from a couple
of hundred years later.
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[Josh] Those accounts
suggest that
a young Nicholas
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lived a quiet life.
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Until Christianity is embraced
by the Roman Empire.
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And it seems like
when that happens,
his life takes off.
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Yeah, I mean, he becomes
at a very early age
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the bishop here at Myra.
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So suddenly he's
catapulted to prominence.
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[Josh] It is said that
he distributes his parents
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considerable wealth
to the poor and becomes
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a zealous advocate
for Christianity.
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Time passes
and an older Nicolas
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attends the famed
Council of Nicaea
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in the year 325,
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where bishops come
to debate the nature
of the Holy Trinity.
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When one bishop
suggests that Jesus
was not equal to God,
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Nicholas physically
assaults the delegates.
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So Nicholas is the person
who stands up.
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slaps him down,
and because of that--
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Sorry, literal--
literally slaps?
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Literally slaps him.
Slaps him around the face.
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It is so said.
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And because of that,
ends up spending
some time in prison.
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So he's a man who clearly
stands for his principles,
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he knows what he thinks.
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I think we can certainly
say that much of him.
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Santa means business.
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[Jeremy] Indeed he does.
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-Right.
-[Jeremy] Indeed
he does. Yes.
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And then we get
all of these story...
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-Yeah.
-...about his miracles.
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-[Jeremy] Yeah.
-And there are a lot
of these stories
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Exceptionally so.
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One of which
actually might connect
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to how you celebrate
Christmas today.
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-Really? Okay.
-[Jeremy] Yeah.
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The story is called
The Three Daughters.
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[Josh] The story goes
that an impoverished nobleman
lacks the dowry with which
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to marry off
his three daughters.
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And in desperation,
considers selling them
into prostitution.
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Until Nicholas
miraculously intervenes,
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dropping three
bags of gold
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through the family's
open window.
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Giving them
an anonymous present.
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So this worldwide
cultural tradition
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now of giving gifts
on Christmas night...
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Yeah.
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Comes from this man
trying to save three women
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from a life of desperation.
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Believe it or not, it does.
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But hold on to your hat
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-because it gets even
crazier than that.
-Okay.
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[Jeremy] In the version
that I've told you,
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he gives the gifts
through the window,
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but there is a moment
in the 1300s
when that changes.
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Where Sir Nicholas
is not putting
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the bags of gold
through a window,
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but he's actually dropping
them down a chimney.
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That's it. We just
solved Christmas.
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-We can go-- We can go
back for Christmas now.
-We can go home now
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Exactly. Yeah
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And there are lots
of elements like that.
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You think about
the Christmas story
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and in fact, you can
trace all of them
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to at some point,
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as this story
kind of develops
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-and changes and shifts
over the centuries.
-Right.
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One of the elements,
of course, is the idea
of stockings.
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And I think that
goes back to shoes.
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[Josh] In some tellings
of the story
of The Three Daughters,
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the gold coins land
in one of the girl's shoes
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or even in their laundered
socks drying by the fire.
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Which eventually become
stockings hung by
the chimney with care.
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An incredible story.
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This is just one
of a huge
number of stories
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associated with Nicholas,
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which take very
different approaches
to the man.
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Right. There are a lot
of stories about him
that involve miracles.
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There are, indeed,
you've got stories,
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particularly about his role
as a protector of sailors.
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[Josh] As paganism gave
way to Christianity,
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the functions
of the old gods
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were adopted
by patron saints.
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And Nicolas got one
of the sweetest
gigs in Christendom.
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As the patron saint
of those at sea,
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with stories of him
miraculously saving
drowning fishermen.
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And that probably
helps his story
spread even further.
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I think so.
It's kind of viral
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because they go out
in the world, of course,
and they talk.
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Sailors are the ones
that initiate this
telephone game.
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That's what makes
them go viral.
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-Indeed. Exactly, exactly.
-Going all over the world.
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-Exactly.
-Incredible.
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That is why,
if you look at the map now,
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you will see Saint Nicholas
attached to capes, headlands,
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ports, churches
and churches and ports
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all over
the Christian world.
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That's incredible.
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[Josh] Saint Nicholas, though,
isn't just remembered
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as miraculously
protecting fishermen.
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His resume is much
broader than that.
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There's a story
that he casts a demon
out of a tree, as one does
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and that he somehow
resurrects three dead boys
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who were murdered
and pickled in a barrel.
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-[Jeremy] He resurrects--
-[Josh] He resurrects
these pickled boys?
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[Jeremy] These pickled boys
who are lying in a barrel.
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And hey, here's the thing
about the barrel,
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the visual representation
of the barrel,
250
00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:36,667
comes to the notice
of brewers,
251
00:10:36,667 --> 00:10:39,200
who, because of that
made Saint Nicholas
252
00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:40,867
the patron Saint
of brewing.
253
00:10:40,867 --> 00:10:42,967
[Josh] So because he's
supposed to reanimate
254
00:10:42,967 --> 00:10:44,767
three dead pickled boys...
255
00:10:44,767 --> 00:10:46,000
-[Jeremy] From a barrel.
-[Josh] ...from a barrel
from a barrel...
256
00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,367
-[Jeremy] Importantly. Yeah.
-...he becomes
the patron saint
257
00:10:48,367 --> 00:10:49,367
of beermakers?
258
00:10:49,367 --> 00:10:50,200
Exactly that.
259
00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,266
And because he
looks after children,
260
00:10:52,266 --> 00:10:54,200
he becomes the patron
saint of children.
261
00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:55,567
Who else is he
the patron saint of?
262
00:10:55,567 --> 00:10:56,900
Because of the
three daughters,
263
00:10:56,900 --> 00:10:59,000
He's the patron saint
of unmarried people.
264
00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,867
And actually prostitutes.
265
00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:05,367
Not to mention,
wrongly imprisoned criminals
and perfumers.
266
00:11:05,367 --> 00:11:06,900
-People who
make perfume?
-[Jeremy] That's it.
267
00:11:06,900 --> 00:11:08,567
-Sure.
-[Jeremy] Yeah.
268
00:11:08,567 --> 00:11:09,800
[Josh] This is what
makes him unique.
269
00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:11,467
He's like a saint
for all seasons.
270
00:11:11,467 --> 00:11:12,934
[Jeremy] Exactly.
271
00:11:12,934 --> 00:11:16,367
He's like a blotting paper,
and all these ideas
basically bleed into it.
272
00:11:16,367 --> 00:11:19,767
Amazing. So how do we
unravel the mysteries
of who he really was
273
00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:21,767
and where he
physically ended up?
274
00:11:21,767 --> 00:11:24,166
Well, it's kind of like
any good police case.
275
00:11:24,166 --> 00:11:25,767
And as in any
good police case,
276
00:11:25,767 --> 00:11:27,033
you've got to start
with the body.
277
00:11:27,467 --> 00:11:28,900
Okay.
Where's the body?
278
00:11:28,900 --> 00:11:30,133
Come with me.
279
00:11:31,767 --> 00:11:33,266
[Josh] Jeremy leads me
beyond the ruins
280
00:11:33,266 --> 00:11:36,000
to a palatial
house of worship.
281
00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:38,533
Wow.
282
00:11:46,667 --> 00:11:48,667
What a stunning space.
283
00:11:48,667 --> 00:11:49,800
This is amazing.
284
00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,467
Welcome to the
Church of Saint Nicholas
in Myra, Josh.
285
00:11:52,467 --> 00:11:54,400
It's a very, very
important place,
286
00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,400
very important
in the Christian story.
287
00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,166
Very important
in Saint Nicholas story.
288
00:11:58,166 --> 00:11:59,867
When does
all of this date from?
289
00:11:59,867 --> 00:12:04,567
Well, Saint Nicholas
dies in about 340 AD.
290
00:12:04,567 --> 00:12:06,400
-Okay.
-[Jeremy] He's born
in 270,
291
00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,700
so we take him to be
about 70 years old
292
00:12:08,700 --> 00:12:12,000
and we assume that
there would have
been a church here.
293
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:13,600
Uh, for which
he was the bishop.
294
00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,100
-So he would have been
ministering here.
-[Jeremy] Indeed.
295
00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:19,567
[Josh] After his death,
the church becomes a shrine.
296
00:12:19,567 --> 00:12:22,767
Today everywhere you look,
there's iconography.
297
00:12:22,767 --> 00:12:26,667
Including frescoes depicting
Nick's divine interventions
298
00:12:26,667 --> 00:12:28,867
And according
to historic sources,
299
00:12:28,867 --> 00:12:31,467
Nick was buried
inside the church.
300
00:12:31,467 --> 00:12:34,100
Making this building
an important pilgrimage site.
301
00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:36,200
And all of this
grand architecture
302
00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:37,667
that gets built up
over time.
303
00:12:37,667 --> 00:12:39,467
It's not just because
Saint Nicholas
304
00:12:39,467 --> 00:12:40,634
was a bishop here, right?
305
00:12:40,634 --> 00:12:42,667
-[Jeremy] No, it's because
he was buried here.
-Right.
306
00:12:42,667 --> 00:12:45,533
So now what
should be a simple
follow up question?
307
00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:46,867
Where is he?
308
00:12:46,867 --> 00:12:49,867
So there have been
recent excavations
right here.
309
00:12:49,867 --> 00:12:53,166
And while they
did get down to earlier
levels of the church
310
00:12:53,166 --> 00:12:54,667
and they found some
beautiful mosaics,
311
00:12:54,667 --> 00:12:56,800
for example,
they did not find a crypt.
312
00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:58,800
So if he wasn't
buried right here,
313
00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:00,100
where was he buried?
314
00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:02,767
-Well, let me show you
where the pilgrims go.
-[Josh] Sure.
315
00:13:02,767 --> 00:13:04,600
Let's follow
the pilgrims, please.
316
00:13:10,667 --> 00:13:14,367
So here we are,
Josh, the popularly
317
00:13:14,367 --> 00:13:17,400
accepted sarcophagus
of Saint Nicholas.
318
00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:19,000
[Josh] Okay.
And we do have this
319
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,700
really a grand, ornate
marble sarcophagus here--
320
00:13:22,700 --> 00:13:23,567
From the right period.
321
00:13:23,567 --> 00:13:24,834
-From the right period?
-[Jeremy] Yeah.
322
00:13:24,834 --> 00:13:29,400
Okay. Now I can't
help but notice
one glaring problem.
323
00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,700
It does appear to be
slightly broken into.
324
00:13:31,700 --> 00:13:34,367
Yeah, the front is missing,
so it's worth saying,
325
00:13:34,367 --> 00:13:36,200
that even though
Saint Nicholas
326
00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:38,100
was buried somewhere
in this church.
327
00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:40,567
He's not here now,
and that is because
328
00:13:40,567 --> 00:13:43,600
the bones
of Saint Nicholas
were stolen.
329
00:13:43,867 --> 00:13:44,800
I'm sorry.
330
00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:46,100
Santa's bones
are missing.
331
00:13:46,100 --> 00:13:47,634
They are indeed missing.
332
00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:54,767
Santa's bones
are missing?
333
00:13:54,767 --> 00:13:56,300
They are indeed missing.
334
00:13:56,300 --> 00:13:58,166
[Josh] I'm with historian
Jeremy Seal
335
00:13:58,166 --> 00:14:01,500
in the ancient ruins of Myra
in modern day Turkey.
336
00:14:01,500 --> 00:14:04,166
We're learning about
the true story
of Saint Nicholas.
337
00:14:04,166 --> 00:14:06,300
The historical bishop
who inspired
338
00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:08,600
the legendary Santa Claus
339
00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:10,767
here in the church
that was once his tomb.
340
00:14:10,767 --> 00:14:12,467
There's only
one thing missing.
341
00:14:12,467 --> 00:14:15,500
The remains
of Saint Nicholas himself.
342
00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:17,767
They were taken
by a group of sailors
343
00:14:17,767 --> 00:14:19,700
from the city
of Bari in Italy.
344
00:14:19,700 --> 00:14:20,667
Okay.
345
00:14:20,667 --> 00:14:22,900
The Italians,
like all Christian sailors,
346
00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:24,567
were fond of their
patron saint,
347
00:14:24,567 --> 00:14:26,300
and decided
to steal him.
348
00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:30,867
It's not exactly Danny Ocean
at the Bellagio, either.
349
00:14:30,867 --> 00:14:34,066
They smash open the tomb
and take the remains.
350
00:14:34,066 --> 00:14:37,600
One sailor named Mateo
even jumps into the crypt.
351
00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,700
Crushing a few
of the smaller bones
under his feet.
352
00:14:41,166 --> 00:14:42,900
The rest sailed
triumphantly
353
00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:46,200
with the [clears throat]
skeleton crew, back to Bari.
354
00:14:46,967 --> 00:14:49,000
[Jeremy] The account
is very well attested
355
00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:52,166
by a well respected
scribe called Nicephorus.
356
00:14:52,166 --> 00:14:55,200
Who writes in great detail
about what happened.
357
00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,767
He describes it
as a great triumph
for the sailors.
358
00:14:58,767 --> 00:15:00,700
Why? Why do this?
359
00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,600
There's probably
a few reasons.
360
00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:04,700
The main one,
of course, is that relics.
361
00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:08,567
in this period
are very highly regarded.
362
00:15:08,567 --> 00:15:10,667
[Josh] The word "relic"
this case means
363
00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:13,166
pieces of actual
human remains.
364
00:15:13,166 --> 00:15:14,600
In the time
of the Crusades,
365
00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:16,500
the relics
of a Catholic Saint,
366
00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:20,467
would be a major draw
for pilgrims
and other tourists.
367
00:15:20,467 --> 00:15:22,000
We have Santa's village.
368
00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:24,000
They had Santa's bones.
369
00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,000
So if this all did happen,
is this our sarcophagus?
370
00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,000
Is this the one that
the sailors from Bari
broke into?
371
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,700
It's tempting
to think that
372
00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:33,800
but I don't think so.
Have a look at it.
373
00:15:34,967 --> 00:15:37,000
The first thing
you notice on the top
374
00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,600
is that there are two
now beheaded figures
375
00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,767
which suggest it must
have been the sarcophagus
of a couple.
376
00:15:42,767 --> 00:15:44,567
-So, Mrs. Claus?
-[Jeremy chuckles]
Yeah, very good.
377
00:15:44,567 --> 00:15:45,500
Very good.
378
00:15:45,500 --> 00:15:47,567
The thing is that
actually Saint Nicholas
379
00:15:47,567 --> 00:15:49,867
was famously
celibate and single.
380
00:15:49,867 --> 00:15:51,266
Sure. Of course.
381
00:15:51,266 --> 00:15:55,000
The second one,
is that the accounts
describe
382
00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,100
the sailors breaking in
from the top.
383
00:15:57,100 --> 00:15:59,667
It's a vault,
based in the floor,
384
00:15:59,667 --> 00:16:03,266
and this clearly isn't
that the breaking in
is from the side.
385
00:16:03,266 --> 00:16:05,300
So if he wasn't buried
in front of the altar
386
00:16:05,300 --> 00:16:08,000
and he's not buried here,
where was he buried?
387
00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:09,500
Come with me.
388
00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:12,467
[Josh] It seems that Santa
has been down more
389
00:16:12,467 --> 00:16:14,200
graves than chimneys.
390
00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,100
Jeremy thinks there's
another location
391
00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:19,467
in Nicholas Church
that befits the saint.
392
00:16:19,467 --> 00:16:22,767
This is the last
possible contender
393
00:16:22,767 --> 00:16:24,367
as the burial place
for Saint Nicholas.
394
00:16:24,367 --> 00:16:26,500
You see the slab
below us.
395
00:16:26,500 --> 00:16:27,367
There's some Greek here.
396
00:16:27,367 --> 00:16:28,667
You're seeing it.
You're seeing Greek.
397
00:16:28,667 --> 00:16:30,367
You're seeing Greek
of the period.
398
00:16:30,367 --> 00:16:32,467
And while it's a little
bit broken up,
399
00:16:32,467 --> 00:16:35,000
so it's hard to read
exactly what it says.
400
00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,367
The word grace is clear,
which suggests to us
401
00:16:37,367 --> 00:16:38,967
it could be
the embodiment of grace
402
00:16:38,967 --> 00:16:40,567
-or the place of grace.
-[Josh] Right.
403
00:16:40,567 --> 00:16:45,066
Some suggestion
that this was, at the very
least, the resting place
404
00:16:45,066 --> 00:16:47,367
of an important
and significant figure.
405
00:16:47,367 --> 00:16:50,467
[Josh] But if Nick
was here, he's not now.
406
00:16:50,467 --> 00:16:52,367
Scans of the floor
in this section,
407
00:16:52,367 --> 00:16:54,767
have not revealed
his crypt.
408
00:16:54,767 --> 00:16:56,900
Okay, I'm quickly l
earning that the search
409
00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:58,667
for Saint Nicholas
is not straightforward.
410
00:16:58,667 --> 00:16:59,967
It's going to be
full of dead ends.
411
00:16:59,967 --> 00:17:01,567
It's going to be
full of contradictions.
412
00:17:01,567 --> 00:17:04,567
There are some who believe
that he never left the church
413
00:17:04,567 --> 00:17:06,867
that he's still here,
which suggests that
414
00:17:06,867 --> 00:17:09,467
the Italians took
the wrong bones.
415
00:17:09,467 --> 00:17:10,700
What do you think?
416
00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:12,600
-I think the Italian's
got the right bones.
-[Josh] You do?
417
00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,367
The accounts,
they are very detailed,
418
00:17:15,367 --> 00:17:16,600
and that persuades me.
419
00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,100
But if you want
to prove it,
420
00:17:18,100 --> 00:17:20,300
-you're gonna
have to go elsewhere
-Elsewhere?
421
00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:21,834
Like to Italy?
422
00:17:21,834 --> 00:17:24,100
Like to Italy.
That would be my
best suggestion.
423
00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:25,266
Thank you, sir.
424
00:17:25,266 --> 00:17:27,200
-I really appreciate
it, Jeremy. All the best
-Pleasure.
425
00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,500
[Josh] Jeremy has
given me exactly
what I wanted this Christmas.
426
00:17:32,500 --> 00:17:33,800
A mystery.
427
00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,700
Did Italian sailors
truly take the bones
of Saint Nicholas?
428
00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:42,166
And what might they tell us
about the mortal who
became a legend?
429
00:17:42,166 --> 00:17:44,700
To find out, I follow
the path of Saint Nicholas
430
00:17:44,700 --> 00:17:48,767
stolen remains 780 mile
s as Santa's sleigh
431
00:17:48,767 --> 00:17:52,033
flies to the coastal
Italian city of Bari.
432
00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,734
Where I arrive under cover
of darkness,
433
00:17:58,967 --> 00:18:02,400
Well, it is well before
dawn here in the historic
city of Bari.
434
00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:05,100
But even in the dark,
this place makes
an impression.
435
00:18:05,100 --> 00:18:07,266
Between the
massive city walls.
436
00:18:07,266 --> 00:18:09,100
And the imposing
fortifications.
437
00:18:09,100 --> 00:18:12,400
It's clear this has
always been a place
worth defending.
438
00:18:14,700 --> 00:18:16,900
Bari is and has been
for centuries
439
00:18:16,900 --> 00:18:20,500
a crucial Italian port
on the Adriatic Sea.
440
00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:22,867
But since the alleged bones
of Saint Nicholas
441
00:18:22,867 --> 00:18:25,000
arrived here in 1087,
442
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,000
It's also been
a holy city.
443
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,767
And as I make my way
down into the old town,
444
00:18:29,767 --> 00:18:32,400
it's clear I'm not
the only pilgrim here.
445
00:18:34,567 --> 00:18:35,800
A little crowded.
446
00:18:36,567 --> 00:18:39,667
Turns out Saint Nicholas,
very popular here.
447
00:18:39,667 --> 00:18:42,266
Once the people of Bari
reportedly got their hands
448
00:18:42,266 --> 00:18:45,266
on the saint's remains,
the city set about erecting
449
00:18:45,266 --> 00:18:47,467
a building worthy
of housing them.
450
00:18:47,467 --> 00:18:50,000
One hundred years
later, in 1197
451
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,567
they finished this,
the stunning
452
00:18:52,567 --> 00:18:54,767
Basilica of Saint Nicholas.
453
00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:58,500
It may seem a little
early to go to church,
but this morning
454
00:18:58,500 --> 00:19:00,800
it's the most
popular place in town.
455
00:19:07,467 --> 00:19:09,900
You know, when we think about
celebrating Old Saint Nick?
456
00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:12,200
We think, of course,
December 25.
457
00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,667
But here in the city of Bari,
it is today.
458
00:19:14,667 --> 00:19:17,800
The early morning
of December 6,
that really matters.
459
00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:20,000
This is the feast
of Saint Nicholas
460
00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:22,367
when thousands of people
cram into this square
461
00:19:22,367 --> 00:19:24,166
to commemorate
Nicholas's death
462
00:19:24,166 --> 00:19:26,433
nearly 1700 years ago.
463
00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,800
Even at this early hour,
it's a party
464
00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:31,166
with plenty of chances
465
00:19:31,166 --> 00:19:33,000
to grab a Saint Nick Selfie.
466
00:19:33,467 --> 00:19:34,600
Thank you, Saint Nick.
467
00:19:34,767 --> 00:19:35,967
Grazie.
468
00:19:35,967 --> 00:19:38,533
You can even
say hi to his more
modern incarnation.
469
00:19:39,066 --> 00:19:40,166
There he is, Santa Claus.
470
00:19:40,166 --> 00:19:41,166
Everybody, I found him.
471
00:19:41,166 --> 00:19:43,367
Not just Saint Nick,
Santa Claus.
472
00:19:43,367 --> 00:19:45,400
And because it's Italy,
there's food.
473
00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,200
And that food is good.
474
00:19:49,867 --> 00:19:50,767
Well, that's that.
475
00:19:50,767 --> 00:19:52,166
The best hot chocolate
476
00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:53,800
that I've ever had
in my entire life.
477
00:19:55,867 --> 00:19:57,400
And the best donuts.
478
00:19:58,000 --> 00:19:59,467
I'm never
leaving this town.
479
00:19:59,467 --> 00:20:01,266
There's even a Christmas
tree lighting
480
00:20:01,266 --> 00:20:03,900
that's verging
on a Vegas style light show.
481
00:20:04,967 --> 00:20:07,000
Christmas trees
aren't directly tied
482
00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,867
to the historical Saint Nick,
483
00:20:08,867 --> 00:20:10,567
putting greenery
inside dates
484
00:20:10,567 --> 00:20:12,500
all the way back
to ancient Egypt.
485
00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:16,200
And later by various cultures
to celebrate the solstice.
486
00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:17,700
But you can thank
the Germans
487
00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,166
for putting entire
trees indoors.
488
00:20:20,166 --> 00:20:23,100
They set up paradise
trees around Christmas time.
489
00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:25,500
Meant to evoke
the Garden of Eden.
490
00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,734
The practice spread
throughout Europe,
and the world.
491
00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:40,433
Most intense tree
lighting ceremony ever.
492
00:20:45,066 --> 00:20:46,467
[crowd cheering]
493
00:20:46,467 --> 00:20:47,600
[whoops]
494
00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,033
Merry Christmas.
495
00:20:57,066 --> 00:20:59,900
Once the tree is lit
and dawn approaches,
496
00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:03,667
the basilica doors open
and the mood turns reverent.
497
00:21:03,667 --> 00:21:04,867
More than
a thousand people
498
00:21:04,867 --> 00:21:07,367
file inside
for a special mass.
499
00:21:07,367 --> 00:21:09,800
Honoring the saint
who became Santa.
500
00:21:16,667 --> 00:21:18,700
[priest reading]
501
00:21:29,066 --> 00:21:30,266
[Josh] Mass concludes
502
00:21:30,266 --> 00:21:32,066
and the parishioners
file out
503
00:21:32,066 --> 00:21:35,600
with the church's statue
of Saint Nicholas in tow.
504
00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:37,567
From here it will be
paraded through
505
00:21:37,567 --> 00:21:40,367
the streets of Bari
for all to see.
506
00:21:40,367 --> 00:21:43,100
I, however, stay behind
as the sun rises,
507
00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:44,400
to meet
the current steward
508
00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,867
of Saint Nicholas Church
and possibly his bones.
509
00:21:47,867 --> 00:21:49,600
Father Giovanni Distante.
510
00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:50,767
Father, Distant.
511
00:21:50,767 --> 00:21:51,567
Buongiorno.
512
00:21:51,567 --> 00:21:53,300
Buongiorno.
Very nice to meet you.
513
00:21:53,300 --> 00:21:56,867
The morning mass
was beautiful.
514
00:21:56,867 --> 00:21:57,800
[in Italian]
515
00:21:57,800 --> 00:21:59,000
[in English] Fantastic.
516
00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:00,900
A pilgrimage of love
of the whole city
517
00:22:00,900 --> 00:22:03,166
of Bari towards
its patron saint.
518
00:22:03,166 --> 00:22:05,800
Yes, I have many questions
about Saint Nicholas.
519
00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:09,400
[in Italian] Let me show you
the place that will
answer them.
520
00:22:09,867 --> 00:22:10,734
Please.
521
00:22:12,100 --> 00:22:14,166
Father Distante
is giving us access
522
00:22:14,166 --> 00:22:15,800
to the lower level
of the church.
523
00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:19,000
The subterranean crypt
below the altar.
524
00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,634
[Father Distante in English]
This is the tomb
of Saint Nicholas.
525
00:22:28,567 --> 00:22:30,433
[Josh] So this
is the actual tomb.
526
00:22:31,467 --> 00:22:32,700
[Father Distante]
This is where
his bones have laid
527
00:22:32,700 --> 00:22:34,800
since sailors
brought him to Bari.
528
00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,300
[Josh] Wow!
529
00:22:37,867 --> 00:22:39,767
This tomb has
been here for almost
530
00:22:39,767 --> 00:22:42,000
a thousand years
with great respect.
531
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,000
Are we certain that
these are the bones
of Saint Nicholas?
532
00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:45,967
[Father Distante] Absolutely.
533
00:22:45,967 --> 00:22:49,100
The bones were placed
in this tomb in 1089,
534
00:22:49,100 --> 00:22:50,934
shortly after they
arrived in Bari.
535
00:22:51,867 --> 00:22:53,033
They've been here
ever since.
536
00:22:53,033 --> 00:22:56,467
And then, of course,
there's the holy manna
to consider.
537
00:22:56,467 --> 00:22:59,400
I've heard of this manna.
Tell me about this.
538
00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:03,166
This is a a liquid
that is produced
by the bones?
539
00:23:03,166 --> 00:23:04,000
[Father Distante] Correct.
540
00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:06,700
It exudes from the bones
of the saint.
541
00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:09,200
[Josh] Manna originally
referred to the edible,
542
00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:10,500
resinous substance
543
00:23:10,500 --> 00:23:12,700
with which God
sustained the Israelites
544
00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:16,100
during their 40 years
wandering in the Sinai desert.
545
00:23:16,100 --> 00:23:19,367
In more modern times, though,
manna refers to a substance
546
00:23:19,367 --> 00:23:21,700
with a divine
origin or purpose.
547
00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:25,667
Like a liquid that exudes
from the bones of a saint.
548
00:23:25,667 --> 00:23:27,400
[Father Distante] We extract
the manna periodically,
549
00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:29,500
and mix a few drops
with blessed water
550
00:23:29,500 --> 00:23:31,900
to share Nicholas's
blessings with the world.
551
00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,500
This is for me.
552
00:23:34,500 --> 00:23:37,066
Aw. That's very, very
nice of you. Thank you.
553
00:23:37,066 --> 00:23:39,300
So some manna of my own.
554
00:23:39,300 --> 00:23:40,700
Now will it
make me younger?
555
00:23:41,467 --> 00:23:42,700
[Father Distante]
It's a question of faith
556
00:23:43,367 --> 00:23:45,000
and faith
can move mountains.
557
00:23:45,867 --> 00:23:47,667
One thing about
the manna that is special
558
00:23:47,667 --> 00:23:50,000
is that it's pure
fresh water.
559
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,000
We're able to extract it
from this hole
560
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,600
that goes down
into the crypt.
561
00:23:55,166 --> 00:23:57,166
That's where the manna
is extracted from.
562
00:23:57,166 --> 00:23:59,467
Does this opening
look down into the tomb?
563
00:23:59,467 --> 00:24:02,367
[Father Distante]
Yes. Would you like
to take a look?
564
00:24:02,367 --> 00:24:04,967
[Josh] What happens next
takes my breath away.
565
00:24:04,967 --> 00:24:08,767
We are being given
access to peer beneath
the crypts, altar.
566
00:24:08,767 --> 00:24:12,600
And to look down into the tomb
of Saint Nicholas himself.
567
00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:15,867
[whispers] Okay, let's see
what we can see.
568
00:24:15,867 --> 00:24:16,834
This is incredible.
569
00:24:16,834 --> 00:24:21,066
You can actually see
way down into the tomb,
570
00:24:21,066 --> 00:24:23,767
Oh, and there
is a bone down there.
571
00:24:23,767 --> 00:24:26,000
You can see a bone
in the liquid.
572
00:24:31,867 --> 00:24:33,133
There is a bone there.
573
00:24:33,467 --> 00:24:34,467
Oh my word.
574
00:24:34,467 --> 00:24:37,500
In Bari Italy's
Basilica of Saint Nicholas.
575
00:24:37,500 --> 00:24:39,900
I'm talking
to Father Giovanni Distante
576
00:24:39,900 --> 00:24:42,900
who has granted me
an exceedingly rare privilege
577
00:24:42,900 --> 00:24:44,000
with my own eyes.
578
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:47,166
I am gazing upon what may be
the bones of the saint
579
00:24:47,166 --> 00:24:49,200
who would become
Santa Claus.
580
00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:52,000
In the nearly 1000 years
this has been here.
581
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,367
Has it been opened ever?
582
00:24:54,367 --> 00:24:57,767
The church was undergoing
preservation work in 1953
583
00:24:57,767 --> 00:25:00,066
and for a time
we opened the crypt.
584
00:25:00,700 --> 00:25:02,000
And then
a few years ago,
585
00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,367
a doctor was able
to examine the remains
586
00:25:04,367 --> 00:25:07,000
from outside the crypt
with a special camera.
587
00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,800
I can arrange for you
to speak with him.
588
00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:12,000
[Josh] Thank you
very much.
589
00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,033
I really appreciate it.
This was really,
really special.
590
00:25:16,867 --> 00:25:21,066
While physical access
to the supposed
Saint Nick is impossible.
591
00:25:21,066 --> 00:25:23,667
Fortunately, one man
has had the opportunity
592
00:25:23,667 --> 00:25:26,300
to see the remains
up close and personal.
593
00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:31,367
Bari's chief medical examiner,
Professor Francesco Introna.
594
00:25:31,367 --> 00:25:34,500
I have read that you
might know more about
these bones
595
00:25:34,500 --> 00:25:36,266
than anybody else
alive today.
596
00:25:36,266 --> 00:25:37,400
Yes, that's true.
597
00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:38,867
I have seen them.
598
00:25:38,867 --> 00:25:39,867
-You have seen them?
-[Francesco] Yes.
599
00:25:39,867 --> 00:25:43,567
We had the opportunity
to look into the crypt.
600
00:25:43,567 --> 00:25:44,867
We sent
the camera inside
601
00:25:44,867 --> 00:25:46,900
Like a snake
camera, inside.
602
00:25:46,900 --> 00:25:49,767
A snake camera
that we use in medicine.
603
00:25:49,767 --> 00:25:51,667
Wow. What did you see?
604
00:25:51,667 --> 00:25:53,500
I can show you
if you like.
605
00:25:53,500 --> 00:25:55,467
-You can show me?
-Yes, absolutely.
606
00:25:55,467 --> 00:25:57,900
Oh, this is awesome.
607
00:25:57,900 --> 00:26:00,166
We are getting a once
in a millennium view.
608
00:26:00,166 --> 00:26:02,900
Inside the purported tomb
of Saint Nick.
609
00:26:03,500 --> 00:26:04,700
I follow
the camera's image
610
00:26:04,700 --> 00:26:07,000
as it snakes down
the narrow hole.
611
00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:08,967
And into the crypt itself.
612
00:26:08,967 --> 00:26:11,166
Are these all bones?
613
00:26:11,166 --> 00:26:12,700
[Francesco] Yeah,
these are all bones.
614
00:26:12,700 --> 00:26:18,367
And what you see
that is shining is the manna.
615
00:26:18,367 --> 00:26:19,500
-[Josh] That's the liquid,
right?
-[Francesco] Yes.
616
00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:21,100
[Josh] Oh, and then
is that a rib bone?
617
00:26:21,100 --> 00:26:23,667
A rib. This is ribs.
This is a vegetable.
618
00:26:23,667 --> 00:26:25,000
-Part of vertebrae.
-[Josh] Wow!
619
00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:26,367
Incredible.
620
00:26:26,367 --> 00:26:29,467
I cannot believe
how many remains
are in here.
621
00:26:29,467 --> 00:26:32,467
[Francesco] And now
you can see
the major part
622
00:26:32,467 --> 00:26:34,600
of the skeleton
that is the skull.
623
00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,266
Oh, my God.
624
00:26:37,266 --> 00:26:39,000
The entire
skull is there.
625
00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:40,667
[Francesco] The entire
skull is there
626
00:26:40,667 --> 00:26:43,100
The man that would
become the inspiration
627
00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:44,600
-for the story
of Santa Claus.
-[Francesco] Absolutely.
628
00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:46,400
We are looking
at his skull.
629
00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,200
-Absolutely.
-How is it possible?
630
00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,367
That skeletal remains
631
00:26:51,367 --> 00:26:53,867
that are 1700 years old
632
00:26:53,867 --> 00:26:56,200
that are sitting in liquid
633
00:26:56,867 --> 00:26:58,867
are not
completely dissolved.
634
00:26:58,867 --> 00:27:00,767
It's impossible
to explain,
635
00:27:00,767 --> 00:27:02,867
I think it's a miracle.
636
00:27:02,867 --> 00:27:04,166
-[Josh] A miracle?
-Yes.
637
00:27:04,166 --> 00:27:05,667
You're not supposed
to talk like that.
638
00:27:05,667 --> 00:27:06,867
You're a scientist.
639
00:27:06,867 --> 00:27:08,767
I am a scientist.
640
00:27:08,767 --> 00:27:10,400
But I believe
in Saint Nicholas.
641
00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:12,266
-There you go.
-[chuckles]
642
00:27:12,266 --> 00:27:15,667
[Josh] And Saint Nick,
the miracle man appears
to have struck again
643
00:27:15,667 --> 00:27:17,467
with bones
sitting in liquid
644
00:27:17,467 --> 00:27:19,800
that have defied
decomposition.
645
00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:23,100
This video is the last time
anyone saw the bones,
646
00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:24,467
but not the only time.
647
00:27:24,467 --> 00:27:26,867
They were physically
examined once
648
00:27:26,867 --> 00:27:28,166
in the 1950s.
649
00:27:28,166 --> 00:27:30,367
During construction work
on the building.
650
00:27:30,367 --> 00:27:33,300
1953 they come out
of the crypt,
651
00:27:33,300 --> 00:27:36,500
and a report is commissioned
on them. Correct?
652
00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:39,800
[Francesco] Yes.
This is a report
of Professor Luigi Martino
653
00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:41,000
[Josh] Wow!
654
00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,400
So let's talk about
the conclusions
from his study here.
655
00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:46,500
What does he say
about this individual?
656
00:27:46,500 --> 00:27:49,266
What does he learn
from the examination
of these bones?
657
00:27:49,266 --> 00:27:51,967
We learned several
important things.
658
00:27:51,967 --> 00:27:55,367
First, all the skeletons
and all the bones
659
00:27:55,367 --> 00:27:58,967
that are in Bari
belongs to just one man.
660
00:27:58,967 --> 00:28:00,400
-That's huge.
-[Francesco] That's huge.
661
00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:01,467
Okay check.
662
00:28:01,467 --> 00:28:04,100
Second thing
that we have learned
663
00:28:04,100 --> 00:28:06,900
is that we know
that this
664
00:28:06,900 --> 00:28:11,500
this-- uh, this man
died when he was 75
665
00:28:11,500 --> 00:28:13,166
80-years-old.
666
00:28:13,166 --> 00:28:15,066
Okay, that's a big check,
667
00:28:15,066 --> 00:28:19,266
because this generally
aligns with
668
00:28:19,266 --> 00:28:20,767
-the age of Saint Nicholas.
-[Francesco] Yes.
669
00:28:20,767 --> 00:28:23,333
[Josh] So that information
checks off some big boxes.
670
00:28:23,867 --> 00:28:25,467
Are you convinced
671
00:28:25,467 --> 00:28:27,867
that these are the remains
of Saint Nicholas?
672
00:28:27,867 --> 00:28:29,133
I swear.
673
00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:31,066
[chuckles]
674
00:28:31,066 --> 00:28:32,667
You're 100% convinced.
675
00:28:32,667 --> 00:28:34,000
[chuckles] Yes.
676
00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:36,367
When you put all of these
bones together,
677
00:28:36,367 --> 00:28:38,767
how much of the skeleton
is accounted for?
678
00:28:38,767 --> 00:28:40,867
Around 80%.
679
00:28:40,867 --> 00:28:43,367
[Josh] The report
by doctor Luigi Martino
680
00:28:43,367 --> 00:28:46,800
described each and every
identifiable bone.
681
00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:48,567
Most of the skeleton
is here,
682
00:28:48,567 --> 00:28:51,500
but a few critical pieces
are missing.
683
00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:53,600
Among them,
the left pubic bone,
684
00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:57,200
his right ribcage
and left jawbone.
685
00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,667
Where do you think
the other 20%
could reliably be?
686
00:29:00,667 --> 00:29:02,100
Venice, for example.
687
00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:03,533
-Venice?
-[Francesco] Venice.
688
00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:07,567
[Josh] In the year 1100,
another expedition of sailors
689
00:29:07,567 --> 00:29:11,367
raided the original tomb
of Saint Nick in Myra, Turkey,
690
00:29:11,367 --> 00:29:13,367
this time from Venice.
691
00:29:13,367 --> 00:29:14,967
And while the sailors
from Bari
692
00:29:14,967 --> 00:29:16,600
had taken most
of the bones.
693
00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:20,100
What was left, it is said,
was grabbed by the Venetians
694
00:29:20,100 --> 00:29:22,367
and taken back
to be venerated.
695
00:29:22,367 --> 00:29:23,700
So it's possible that
696
00:29:23,700 --> 00:29:25,467
Saint Nicholas
is also in Venice,
697
00:29:25,467 --> 00:29:26,767
Could be.
698
00:29:26,767 --> 00:29:28,600
[Josh] If the bones
in Venice complete
699
00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:31,266
the missing 20%
of the skeleton in Bari,
700
00:29:31,266 --> 00:29:35,367
it would all but prove
that both groups
of sailors did in fact,
701
00:29:35,367 --> 00:29:38,200
steal parts from the same
skeleton in Myra
702
00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:41,000
and that it may well be
the real Saint Nick.
703
00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:43,767
So I bid arrivederci
to Doctor Introna.
704
00:29:43,767 --> 00:29:46,467
And fly 450 miles north
705
00:29:46,467 --> 00:29:49,600
to a place that's literally
swimming in history.
706
00:29:59,467 --> 00:30:01,467
Welcome to the floating city.
707
00:30:01,467 --> 00:30:03,667
For a millennium,
this was the seat
708
00:30:03,667 --> 00:30:06,567
of one of the world's
great maritime powers,
709
00:30:06,567 --> 00:30:09,467
a nexus of trade,
art, architecture,
710
00:30:09,467 --> 00:30:11,500
and powerful
religious forces
711
00:30:11,500 --> 00:30:15,333
that gave rise to one
seriously beautiful place.
712
00:30:18,767 --> 00:30:21,567
In a world that looks
increasingly the same,
713
00:30:21,567 --> 00:30:24,700
there truly is no
place like Venice.
714
00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:27,767
Over a hundred islands
clustered in a lagoon,
715
00:30:27,767 --> 00:30:31,367
that occasionally rises
higher than anyone
is comfortable with.
716
00:30:31,367 --> 00:30:32,800
There are no cars here.
717
00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,100
The only streets
are these canals,
718
00:30:35,100 --> 00:30:37,300
which are
the city's lifeblood.
719
00:30:37,300 --> 00:30:40,967
Venice is not
a charming mix
of the old and the new
720
00:30:40,967 --> 00:30:44,166
It is old
and it is magnificent.
721
00:30:44,166 --> 00:30:46,667
Like Bari,
Venice is a city of sailors.
722
00:30:46,667 --> 00:30:49,166
Saint Nicholas
Primary Fan Club.
723
00:30:49,166 --> 00:30:51,266
Also like Bari,
when the sailors
724
00:30:51,266 --> 00:30:53,867
reportedly brought back
some of Saint Nick's remains,
725
00:30:53,867 --> 00:30:55,567
they needed
a place to put them,
726
00:30:55,567 --> 00:30:57,567
which was right here.
727
00:30:57,567 --> 00:30:59,133
But not so fast.
728
00:31:00,266 --> 00:31:04,100
All right. Well behind me
is the Church
of San Nicolo al Lido.
729
00:31:04,100 --> 00:31:06,100
But unlike
the basilica in Bari,
730
00:31:06,100 --> 00:31:08,467
where I could get
within inches of their bones,
731
00:31:08,467 --> 00:31:11,400
access here
is much more restricted.
732
00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,000
So much so that
I am actually not allowed
733
00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:16,166
to appear
on camera inside.
734
00:31:16,166 --> 00:31:18,800
But I have received
a blessing from on high
735
00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:20,500
to send a camera in.
736
00:31:20,500 --> 00:31:22,467
So let's see
what they've got.
737
00:31:22,467 --> 00:31:24,033
[Evan] Okay.
I'm rolling. Here we go.
738
00:31:26,700 --> 00:31:29,100
[Josh] My director
of photography,
Evan B. Stone,
739
00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:32,000
passes through the main doors
into the church's interior
740
00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:34,266
for rare filming access.
741
00:31:34,266 --> 00:31:36,100
at the end of the marble
lined apps,
742
00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:38,467
his camera
spies a high altar
743
00:31:38,467 --> 00:31:40,200
containing a sarcophagus.
744
00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:44,367
That reportedly holds the rest
of Saint Nicholas remains.
745
00:31:44,367 --> 00:31:46,266
A plaque attests
to the claim,
746
00:31:46,266 --> 00:31:48,467
and historical
sources tell us
747
00:31:48,467 --> 00:31:52,467
that a Venetian expedition
did, in fact, sail to Myra.
748
00:31:52,467 --> 00:31:55,300
Unfortunately for them,
the Venetians got to Turkey
749
00:31:55,300 --> 00:31:58,133
13 years behind
their rivals from Bari.
750
00:31:59,667 --> 00:32:02,200
According to legend,
the Venetians hold the monks
751
00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:04,900
guarding the rest
of the remains
at knife point,
752
00:32:04,900 --> 00:32:09,200
swipe the bones
and hightail it back
here to Venice.
753
00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:11,000
But did it really happen?
754
00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:14,133
Did they get the remaining
bones of Saint Nick?
755
00:32:15,367 --> 00:32:17,700
The answer to those questions
is waiting for me
756
00:32:17,700 --> 00:32:20,100
outside the church,
down one of the dark,
757
00:32:20,100 --> 00:32:22,100
winding canals of Venice
758
00:32:22,100 --> 00:32:24,567
At the Libreria
of Aqua Alta.
759
00:32:24,567 --> 00:32:27,734
That's where I'm meeting.
Historian Alessandro Trabucco.
760
00:32:30,100 --> 00:32:31,133
Alessandro.
761
00:32:31,133 --> 00:32:32,800
-Hey I'm Josh.
-Hello.
Nice to meet you, Josh.
762
00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:35,000
Great to meet you. Wow.
This place is incredible.
763
00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:36,000
Man, this is so beautiful.
764
00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:37,467
This is called
High Tide Library.
765
00:32:37,467 --> 00:32:39,166
And this is
a famous bookshop.
766
00:32:39,166 --> 00:32:41,100
Here we have in Venice.
767
00:32:41,100 --> 00:32:43,667
[Josh] It's no secret
that Venice
has a flooding problem.
768
00:32:43,667 --> 00:32:47,767
The lagoon, too,
routinely rises
far above street level.
769
00:32:47,767 --> 00:32:50,900
Aqua Alta has come up
with a novel solution.
770
00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:53,166
Putting their merchandise
in bathtubs.
771
00:32:53,166 --> 00:32:55,767
And even a gondola
to protect the books.
772
00:32:55,767 --> 00:32:58,133
when the tide
gets extra high.
773
00:32:59,567 --> 00:33:01,367
So we've got a lot
of history around us here.
774
00:33:01,367 --> 00:33:02,767
Let's talk about
some history.
775
00:33:02,767 --> 00:33:04,600
I'm here
investigating this idea
776
00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:06,400
that the bones
of Saint Nicholas
777
00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:07,867
may be here in Venice.
778
00:33:07,867 --> 00:33:09,467
So let's start with this.
779
00:33:09,467 --> 00:33:11,667
How did the
get here, supposedly?
780
00:33:11,667 --> 00:33:14,700
So supposedly,
they were taken
by the Venetians.
781
00:33:14,700 --> 00:33:17,266
They arrived there
in Myra, in Turkey
782
00:33:17,266 --> 00:33:18,967
in the year 1100.
783
00:33:18,967 --> 00:33:19,967
So that's a great story.
784
00:33:19,967 --> 00:33:23,066
The question is,
How do we know
that it's true?
785
00:33:23,066 --> 00:33:25,100
Since the year
1100 or so
786
00:33:25,100 --> 00:33:27,600
have these bones
been studied
scientifically?
787
00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:30,500
Only once. In 1992,
they were removed,
788
00:33:30,500 --> 00:33:33,100
and they were studied
by Dr. Luigi Martino.
789
00:33:33,100 --> 00:33:36,200
The same guy who studied
the bones in Bari in the 50's?
790
00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:37,867
[Alessandro] Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, sure.
The same guy.
791
00:33:37,867 --> 00:33:39,867
And so what did
Martino find?
792
00:33:39,867 --> 00:33:40,934
I show you.
793
00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:43,400
[Josh] This is
Martino's report?
794
00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:45,600
-[Alessandro] This is.
-Wow. Look at this.
795
00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:47,200
This is what
he finds?
796
00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,000
[Alessandro] Yes.
These are the fragments.
797
00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:50,667
[Josh] So this is not at all
what I was expecting.
798
00:33:50,667 --> 00:33:52,700
These are like tiny,
tiny pieces.
799
00:33:52,700 --> 00:33:53,867
[Alessandro]
Like a puzzle pieces.
800
00:33:53,867 --> 00:33:55,700
[Josh] Like puzzle pieces.
801
00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:58,567
Unlike the large specimens
in the Bari crypt,
802
00:33:58,567 --> 00:34:01,100
the bones in Venice
are quite small.
803
00:34:01,100 --> 00:34:03,000
In theory,
this makes sense.
804
00:34:03,000 --> 00:34:06,000
After all, these would merely
be the leftover fragments
805
00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,066
from a crypt
already broken into
806
00:34:08,066 --> 00:34:11,300
and trampled on
by the sailors from Bari.
807
00:34:11,300 --> 00:34:12,867
So now the million
dollar question.
808
00:34:12,867 --> 00:34:15,767
Does the study reveal
whether the bone
fragments here
809
00:34:15,767 --> 00:34:18,667
in Venice complement
the remains in Bari?
810
00:34:18,667 --> 00:34:20,266
Meaning do they
go together?
811
00:34:20,266 --> 00:34:20,900
Yes, they do.
812
00:34:20,900 --> 00:34:23,200
-[Josh] They do?
-They do.
813
00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:25,467
[Josh] Dr. Martino was able
to piece together
814
00:34:25,467 --> 00:34:28,200
the fragmented
remains here in Venice.
815
00:34:28,200 --> 00:34:29,867
When looked at
against the bones
816
00:34:29,867 --> 00:34:31,867
that were studied
in the crypt in Bari
817
00:34:31,867 --> 00:34:35,000
something incredible
becomes immediately clear.
818
00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:39,166
They fit together,
almost completing
the skeleton.
819
00:34:39,166 --> 00:34:41,767
I mean, this is huge
because it means
820
00:34:41,767 --> 00:34:43,867
that these are parts
of the same individual.
821
00:34:43,867 --> 00:34:46,800
And if sailors from Venice
and sailors from Bari
822
00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:49,300
grabbed parts
of the same individual
823
00:34:49,300 --> 00:34:51,100
from this tomb in Turkey.
824
00:34:51,100 --> 00:34:54,200
It's very likely
that it's Saint Nicholas.
825
00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:56,367
I mean, it really,
probably is him.
826
00:34:56,367 --> 00:34:57,900
[in English]
827
00:34:59,767 --> 00:35:00,900
-He's here.
-[Alessandro] He's here.
828
00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:02,467
-And in Bari.
-And in Bari.
829
00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:04,266
And also in the States.
830
00:35:04,266 --> 00:35:06,000
-Also in the States?
-Yes!
831
00:35:06,467 --> 00:35:07,433
Okay.
832
00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:14,467
A part of Saint Nicholas
could be in America.
833
00:35:14,467 --> 00:35:15,400
Yes.
834
00:35:15,400 --> 00:35:16,367
How?
835
00:35:16,367 --> 00:35:17,700
[in English]
836
00:35:20,166 --> 00:35:22,834
Okay. That would
be incredible.
837
00:35:25,166 --> 00:35:27,667
This is a twist
many churches around
838
00:35:27,667 --> 00:35:29,767
the world claim
to have holy relics.
839
00:35:29,767 --> 00:35:31,800
But the idea that
a piece of Saint Nick
840
00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,266
ended up in America,
841
00:35:33,266 --> 00:35:36,467
seems farfetched,
even for Santa.
842
00:35:36,467 --> 00:35:39,500
Still no stone
or bone unturned.
843
00:35:39,500 --> 00:35:41,100
Having revealed
that Saint Nick
844
00:35:41,100 --> 00:35:44,667
is almost certainly split
between Bari and Venice.
845
00:35:44,667 --> 00:35:46,900
Is there really a chance
that a piece of him
846
00:35:46,900 --> 00:35:49,433
ended up in Chicago?
847
00:35:53,100 --> 00:35:55,867
Here in the windy city,
the temperature is brisk
848
00:35:55,867 --> 00:35:58,166
and Christmas
is in the air.
849
00:35:58,166 --> 00:36:00,100
In a way, it's appropriate
that my search
850
00:36:00,100 --> 00:36:02,166
for Saint Nicholas
should lead here.
851
00:36:02,166 --> 00:36:04,767
Because so much of his
evolution into Santa
852
00:36:04,767 --> 00:36:07,767
happened right here
in the United States.
853
00:36:07,767 --> 00:36:09,767
And like all
things in America,
854
00:36:09,767 --> 00:36:12,467
Santa turns out to be
a bit of a melting pot.
855
00:36:12,467 --> 00:36:14,867
Okay, roll the package
while I look for my gloves.
856
00:36:14,867 --> 00:36:15,900
[exhales]
857
00:36:16,867 --> 00:36:18,367
Our New World Christmas
858
00:36:18,367 --> 00:36:21,066
borrows quite a few
characters from the old.
859
00:36:21,066 --> 00:36:23,767
The Dutch are the ones
who give us
the name Santa Claus
860
00:36:23,767 --> 00:36:27,367
from their name
for Saint Nicholas,
Sinterklaas.
861
00:36:27,367 --> 00:36:30,600
Elves were common
in Norse and German
mythology.
862
00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:34,667
Over here, we put them
to work as free labor
in Santa's toy factory.
863
00:36:34,667 --> 00:36:35,800
Speaking of the Germans,
864
00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:37,767
their belief
that the baby Jesus
865
00:36:37,767 --> 00:36:40,000
or Chris Kendall
brings gifts.
866
00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:42,600
Gets repurposed
as Santa's other alias,
867
00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:44,767
Kris Kringle from England.
868
00:36:44,767 --> 00:36:46,667
Charles Dickens's
Ghost of Christmas present
869
00:36:46,667 --> 00:36:48,767
becomes Father Christmas.
870
00:36:48,767 --> 00:36:52,500
A master of ceremonies
whenever the season
rolls around.
871
00:36:52,500 --> 00:36:55,000
And here in Chicago
that season is freezing.
872
00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:56,266
I feel like I'm
at the North Pole.
873
00:36:56,266 --> 00:36:57,667
Oh, yeah,
the North Pole.
874
00:36:57,667 --> 00:36:59,367
Back in the
mid-19th century,
875
00:36:59,367 --> 00:37:01,066
there was a ton
of interest
876
00:37:01,066 --> 00:37:03,166
in the ill fated
Franklin Expedition
877
00:37:03,166 --> 00:37:05,166
to the Arctic,
and because of that,
878
00:37:05,166 --> 00:37:08,567
pop culture decided
to give Santa
a magical new home
879
00:37:08,567 --> 00:37:10,000
at the North Pole.
880
00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:13,266
Then there's
the Rosetta Stone
of Christmas,
881
00:37:13,266 --> 00:37:15,100
the 1823 poem,
882
00:37:15,100 --> 00:37:17,200
a visit from
Saint Nicholas.
883
00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:20,200
You know, "'twas the night
before Christmas"
et cetera, et cetera.
884
00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:22,400
Most of the Santa
we know and love
885
00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:24,467
is in these 56 lines.
886
00:37:24,467 --> 00:37:27,100
Including the first
appearance of his reindeer.
887
00:37:27,100 --> 00:37:28,734
Well, eight of them anyway.
888
00:37:29,266 --> 00:37:30,467
During the Civil War.
889
00:37:30,467 --> 00:37:32,467
artist Thomas Nashe
uses Santa
890
00:37:32,467 --> 00:37:36,500
as a union symbol,
complete with his
iconic red suit.
891
00:37:37,100 --> 00:37:38,900
And early
in the 20th century,
892
00:37:38,900 --> 00:37:40,467
illustrator Haddon Sundblom
893
00:37:40,467 --> 00:37:43,867
turned the jolly old elf
into a pitchman for Coca Cola,
894
00:37:43,867 --> 00:37:45,600
and the image stuck.
895
00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:51,567
The Midwest even play
s a role in the holiday
lore when, in 1939,
896
00:37:51,567 --> 00:37:53,800
a copywriter working
for the headquarters
897
00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:55,667
of the Montgomery
Ward Department store
898
00:37:55,667 --> 00:38:00,266
right behind me,
came up with a stroke
of marketing genius,
899
00:38:00,266 --> 00:38:03,867
Robert L. May scribbled
a now iconic holiday tale
900
00:38:03,867 --> 00:38:07,166
that introduced the world
to Santa's Ninth Reindeer.
901
00:38:07,166 --> 00:38:10,100
That's right. Rudolph
is from Chicago,
902
00:38:10,100 --> 00:38:12,100
and he will not stop
talking about it.
903
00:38:12,100 --> 00:38:14,300
We get it.
You like horrible pizza
904
00:38:14,300 --> 00:38:15,867
and hot dogs
without ketchup.
905
00:38:15,867 --> 00:38:17,033
Enough already.
906
00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:20,100
Despite the city's
high profile,
907
00:38:20,100 --> 00:38:22,900
the purported bone
of Saint Nick
I've come to see
908
00:38:22,900 --> 00:38:25,900
is not in a historic
museum or cathedral.
909
00:38:27,600 --> 00:38:30,900
Instead, I make my way
to the suburb of Morton Grove
910
00:38:30,900 --> 00:38:34,300
and the church, known
as the Shrine of All Saints.
911
00:38:34,300 --> 00:38:36,467
Here to greet me
is the shrine's rector
912
00:38:36,467 --> 00:38:39,867
and chief collector,
father Dennis O'Neill.
913
00:38:39,867 --> 00:38:41,066
I'm Josh.
Nice to meet you.
914
00:38:41,066 --> 00:38:43,166
Hi Josh. I'm Dennis.
Welcome to the shrine
of All Saints.
915
00:38:43,166 --> 00:38:46,200
Thank you so much.
This is a really
remarkable space.
916
00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:48,867
And when we say
the shrine of all saints,
917
00:38:48,867 --> 00:38:50,367
I do see a lot
of saints here.
918
00:38:50,367 --> 00:38:51,367
Along the wall.
919
00:38:51,367 --> 00:38:52,867
Yes. There are the relics
920
00:38:52,867 --> 00:38:55,166
of over 3100
different saints.
921
00:38:55,166 --> 00:38:57,600
I'm sorry. it sounded
like you said, 3100.
922
00:38:57,800 --> 00:38:58,867
Indeed I did.
923
00:38:58,867 --> 00:39:01,266
How? Ha-- ha--
How did this come to be?
924
00:39:01,266 --> 00:39:02,266
I collected them.
925
00:39:02,266 --> 00:39:03,467
You personally
collected them?
926
00:39:03,467 --> 00:39:04,266
Yes.
927
00:39:04,266 --> 00:39:06,333
Wow. So this
is a lifelong mission.
928
00:39:06,967 --> 00:39:08,133
It has been.
929
00:39:09,166 --> 00:39:11,467
Dennis leads me
through the collection.
930
00:39:11,467 --> 00:39:14,266
Look at all of this
amazing material.
931
00:39:14,266 --> 00:39:18,000
Thousands of relics
that he has saved
on behalf of the public.
932
00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:19,500
From every
saint you can name.
933
00:39:19,500 --> 00:39:21,967
And likely
some you can't.
934
00:39:21,967 --> 00:39:23,367
This is a reliquary
that belonged
935
00:39:23,367 --> 00:39:25,667
to a Latin
Patriarch of Antioch
936
00:39:25,667 --> 00:39:28,166
It is part of the skull
of Saint Barbara,
937
00:39:28,166 --> 00:39:30,800
heel bone
of Saint Polycarp.
938
00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:33,367
Uh, and a right finger bone
of Saint Ignatius of Antioch.
939
00:39:33,367 --> 00:39:34,900
[Josh] Wow.
940
00:39:34,900 --> 00:39:36,767
There's even one
from another of the saints
941
00:39:36,767 --> 00:39:37,867
in Nicholas era
942
00:39:37,867 --> 00:39:41,700
-Saint Helena.
-And this is a bone
of Saint Helena.
943
00:39:41,700 --> 00:39:43,400
I'm sorry,
The Saint Helena?
944
00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:44,767
Mother of Constantine.
945
00:39:44,767 --> 00:39:46,467
Mother of the
Emperor Constantine.
946
00:39:46,467 --> 00:39:48,367
This is a foot bone
from Saint Helena.
947
00:39:48,367 --> 00:39:49,233
[Father O'Neill] That's right.
948
00:39:49,233 --> 00:39:51,467
[Josh] But even
with a roster like this,
949
00:39:51,467 --> 00:39:53,600
Saint Nick
is still the headliner.
950
00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:56,000
And so here he is,
the man himself.
951
00:39:56,600 --> 00:39:58,400
That is Saint Nicholas.
952
00:39:58,400 --> 00:40:01,767
-[Josh] This is meant to be
a bone from Saint Nicholas.
-Yes.
953
00:40:01,767 --> 00:40:03,500
-Right in front of us.
-Yes, indeed.
954
00:40:03,500 --> 00:40:06,166
So now you're gonna
have to do some time
traveling with me.
955
00:40:06,166 --> 00:40:07,667
-All right.
-[Josh] We know that.
956
00:40:07,667 --> 00:40:09,467
Nicholas was a bishop
in Myra
957
00:40:09,467 --> 00:40:10,700
-and what's
now Turkey.
-Yes.
958
00:40:10,700 --> 00:40:12,767
-We know his bones
were stolen away.
-Yes.
959
00:40:12,767 --> 00:40:15,066
Taken to Bari
and taken to Venice.
960
00:40:15,066 --> 00:40:16,667
-It seems.
-Yes.
961
00:40:16,667 --> 00:40:18,100
How does one
of those bones end up
962
00:40:18,100 --> 00:40:20,400
in Morton Grove,
Illinois, of all places?
963
00:40:21,266 --> 00:40:22,867
-That's a very good question.
-[Josh chuckles]
964
00:40:22,867 --> 00:40:25,133
-I'll try to provide
an answer.
-[Josh] Okay.
965
00:40:26,367 --> 00:40:28,867
Father O'Neal explains
that he acquired the bone
966
00:40:28,867 --> 00:40:29,900
from church officials,
967
00:40:29,900 --> 00:40:32,767
who in turn got it from
a collection in France.
968
00:40:32,767 --> 00:40:34,867
It has been certified
as authentic
969
00:40:34,867 --> 00:40:36,367
by the Catholic Church.
970
00:40:36,367 --> 00:40:38,567
And while my instinct
is to be skeptical
971
00:40:38,567 --> 00:40:40,000
that a piece
of Saint Nick
972
00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:41,266
is here in Chicago,
973
00:40:41,266 --> 00:40:43,100
it turns out
that this fragment
974
00:40:43,100 --> 00:40:47,066
is from a left pubic bone
and that It is a big deal.
975
00:40:47,066 --> 00:40:49,467
According to Dr. Martino's
examinations
976
00:40:49,467 --> 00:40:54,533
that exact bone is missing
from the remains
in both Venice and and Bari.
977
00:40:55,166 --> 00:40:56,667
So that's a big check
978
00:40:56,667 --> 00:40:58,700
-for this being possible.
-Yes.
979
00:40:58,700 --> 00:41:02,266
Has this bone been
scientifically studied?
980
00:41:02,266 --> 00:41:03,166
Once.
981
00:41:03,166 --> 00:41:04,100
Once when?
982
00:41:04,100 --> 00:41:06,266
On November 4th of 2016.
983
00:41:06,266 --> 00:41:07,567
And what was done to it?
984
00:41:07,567 --> 00:41:09,200
Well, let me show you.
985
00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:10,367
The gloves, please.
986
00:41:10,367 --> 00:41:12,000
Okay.
987
00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:15,500
Father O'Neal gently removes
the bone from its reliquary.
988
00:41:19,600 --> 00:41:22,367
If you can see
on the top there
989
00:41:22,367 --> 00:41:23,634
a hole has
been drilled.
990
00:41:23,634 --> 00:41:26,600
[Josh] Yes, first of all,
I can't believe
I'm holding this.
991
00:41:26,600 --> 00:41:29,166
But this was drilled
into in 2016.
992
00:41:29,166 --> 00:41:33,066
-[Father O'Neill] It was.
-But were they able to do
any DNA testing on it
993
00:41:33,066 --> 00:41:35,100
to actually determine
the individual?
994
00:41:35,100 --> 00:41:36,233
Not yet.
995
00:41:36,233 --> 00:41:38,367
When you say "Not yet",
does that mean
it's being done?
996
00:41:38,367 --> 00:41:39,667
It's about to be done.
997
00:41:39,667 --> 00:41:40,700
-[Josh] It is?
-Yes
998
00:41:40,700 --> 00:41:44,367
So this could settle
the question on Saint Nick.
999
00:41:44,367 --> 00:41:45,533
That's right.
1000
00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:48,834
-One little bone.
-One little bone.
1001
00:41:49,767 --> 00:41:51,767
Well, let's test it.
1002
00:41:51,767 --> 00:41:53,100
Let's do that.
1003
00:41:54,500 --> 00:41:57,000
[Josh] To get the DNA tested
Father Dennis and I
1004
00:41:57,000 --> 00:42:00,166
head back into
the city to the
University of Chicago,
1005
00:42:00,166 --> 00:42:02,700
where we meet scientists
Dr. Georges Kazan
1006
00:42:02,700 --> 00:42:05,800
and Professor Tom Higham
from the University of Vienna
1007
00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:08,867
So what's the--
what's the--
protocol here?
1008
00:42:08,867 --> 00:42:10,800
What we're going to do now
is genetic testing.
1009
00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:13,266
-[Josh] Right.
-This is going to help us
validate further
1010
00:42:13,266 --> 00:42:15,500
whether or not this
could be Saint Nicholas.
1011
00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:18,166
The last few years
have seen big explosion.
1012
00:42:18,166 --> 00:42:19,800
The science
of ancient DNA
1013
00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:22,500
It just depends on
how much DNA evidence
we can extract
1014
00:42:22,500 --> 00:42:24,800
as to how much
we'll be able to put a flesh
1015
00:42:24,800 --> 00:42:26,800
onto the bones
of this interesting person.
1016
00:42:26,800 --> 00:42:28,467
-So we have our
bone here.
-[Father O'Neill] Yes.
1017
00:42:28,467 --> 00:42:30,967
-You will need a physical
sample from this, right?
-[Dr. Higham] Yes.
1018
00:42:30,967 --> 00:42:32,900
We do need
some physical material
1019
00:42:32,900 --> 00:42:35,667
to actually extract
and amplify the got it.
1020
00:42:35,667 --> 00:42:37,200
Got it. All right.
1021
00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:39,266
-Father you ready
for this?
-Absolutely. Yeah.
1022
00:42:39,266 --> 00:42:41,200
-Let's see what you can do.
-[Dr. Higham] Thanks,
Father Dennis.
1023
00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:42,800
-That's brilliant.
-Let's go down to the lab
1024
00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:44,867
Here we go. Please.
1025
00:42:44,867 --> 00:42:47,867
[Josh] I hope cutting
into Santa's bones
won't reflect on me
1026
00:42:47,867 --> 00:42:49,700
for this year's
naughty or nice list,
1027
00:42:49,700 --> 00:42:53,500
because I may be
about to end up
with a truckload of coal.
1028
00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:04,300
[Josh] Saint Nicholas
is famous for performing
many miracles,
1029
00:43:04,300 --> 00:43:07,467
from saving sailors at sea
to protecting children,
1030
00:43:07,467 --> 00:43:09,300
to casting demons
out of trees.
1031
00:43:09,300 --> 00:43:11,467
It seems there was nothing
he couldn't do.
1032
00:43:11,467 --> 00:43:14,600
And some say those miracles
continue to this day
1033
00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:16,100
through healing manna,
1034
00:43:16,100 --> 00:43:18,100
the mysterious
holy liquid,
1035
00:43:18,100 --> 00:43:20,100
that is said to exude
from his bones
1036
00:43:20,100 --> 00:43:21,500
Since the 4th century.
1037
00:43:21,500 --> 00:43:22,867
and people flock to Bari
1038
00:43:22,867 --> 00:43:26,367
from all over the world
to get a venerated vial.
1039
00:43:26,367 --> 00:43:27,567
So here's
to Saint Nick.
1040
00:43:27,567 --> 00:43:29,767
May his spirit cure
whatever ails you.
1041
00:43:29,767 --> 00:43:31,266
You're not suppose
to drink it.
1042
00:43:31,266 --> 00:43:32,600
Wasn't aware of that.
1043
00:43:39,100 --> 00:43:40,800
-Okay, Josh.
-Great.
1044
00:43:41,100 --> 00:43:41,834
Come in here.
1045
00:43:41,834 --> 00:43:44,066
So we're going
to be going into
1046
00:43:44,066 --> 00:43:46,600
-a clean lab to do
this work,
-Okay.
1047
00:43:46,600 --> 00:43:50,567
In an attempt to determine
if a bone from a suburban
Chicago church
1048
00:43:50,567 --> 00:43:52,700
belongs to
Saint Nicholas himself,
1049
00:43:52,700 --> 00:43:54,266
Professor Tom Higham and I
1050
00:43:54,266 --> 00:43:56,367
are about to collect
a sample.
1051
00:43:56,367 --> 00:43:58,667
Since it's critical,
we don't contaminate it.
1052
00:43:58,667 --> 00:44:01,400
We need to take some
serious precautions.
1053
00:44:01,400 --> 00:44:05,767
We don sterile gloves,
masks, hairnets and booties.
1054
00:44:05,767 --> 00:44:07,600
We even sterilize
the gloves.
1055
00:44:07,600 --> 00:44:10,367
Before putting on
what's known hilariously
1056
00:44:10,367 --> 00:44:11,834
as a bunny suit.
1057
00:44:13,000 --> 00:44:15,100
All right, We got it.
I just need to pee
before we start.
1058
00:44:15,100 --> 00:44:16,233
-Is that a problem?
-[Dr. Higham laughs]
1059
00:44:16,667 --> 00:44:18,567
Oh!
1060
00:44:18,567 --> 00:44:21,266
[Josh] Finally, we're ready
to enter the clean room.
1061
00:44:21,266 --> 00:44:25,734
Meanwhile, Father Dennis
and Georges will observe
from outside the airlock.
1062
00:44:26,500 --> 00:44:27,767
Hello, Father Dennis.
1063
00:44:27,767 --> 00:44:28,533
Georges, how are you?
1064
00:44:28,533 --> 00:44:30,166
[Georges] Good to see
you both.
1065
00:44:30,166 --> 00:44:32,100
[Dr. Higham]
This is the ultra
clean room.
1066
00:44:32,100 --> 00:44:33,667
We're right in the middle
of the lab now.
1067
00:44:33,667 --> 00:44:34,600
-[Josh] Okay.
-[Dr. Higham] Safe enough
1068
00:44:34,600 --> 00:44:35,800
so that we can
open the box
1069
00:44:35,800 --> 00:44:38,667
-and have a look inside.
-[Josh] Okay,
let's check it out.
1070
00:44:38,667 --> 00:44:42,166
-I have to say, just being
in the presence of this...
-[Dr. Higham] Yeah.
1071
00:44:42,166 --> 00:44:44,900
[Josh] ...there is this--
this kind of thrill
1072
00:44:44,900 --> 00:44:48,200
that we could
actually be holding.
1073
00:44:48,200 --> 00:44:49,867
the remains
of Saint Nicholas.
1074
00:44:49,867 --> 00:44:51,367
[Dr. Higham]
I know. it's cool.
That's amazing.
1075
00:44:51,367 --> 00:44:55,266
-[Josh] It really is. I mean,
it's kind of surreal.
-[Dr. Higham chuckles]
1076
00:44:55,266 --> 00:44:56,667
It totally is. I agree.
1077
00:44:56,667 --> 00:44:58,400
-[Josh] Okay, so?
-[Dr. Higham] Yeah.
1078
00:44:58,400 --> 00:45:00,767
[Josh] Should we
try to extract
Santa's DNA?
1079
00:45:00,767 --> 00:45:02,400
-[Dr. Higham] Let's do it.
-[Josh chuckles] Let's do it.
1080
00:45:07,367 --> 00:45:09,100
Tom carefully
cuts into the bone,
1081
00:45:09,100 --> 00:45:11,834
of which we're aiming
to take 200 mg
1082
00:45:13,000 --> 00:45:15,166
finding usable
DNA in a sample
1083
00:45:15,166 --> 00:45:16,867
this old is a long shot,
1084
00:45:16,867 --> 00:45:20,467
but we're hoping
for a holiday miracle.
1085
00:45:20,467 --> 00:45:22,533
[Dr. Higham] All right.
Now let's see if I can
just pop that official.
1086
00:45:24,367 --> 00:45:26,700
[Josh] Boom.
Look at that perfect.
1087
00:45:27,867 --> 00:45:30,100
Look at that.
Absolutely perfect.
Nice job.
1088
00:45:30,100 --> 00:45:31,266
Hopefully that
will be enough.
1089
00:45:31,266 --> 00:45:32,600
[Dr. Higham]
Let's weigh it and see.
1090
00:45:37,000 --> 00:45:38,300
And then it'll be close.
1091
00:45:41,100 --> 00:45:43,266
Yeah, man 208.
Perfect.
1092
00:45:43,266 --> 00:45:44,100
[Josh] 208. Yeah.
1093
00:45:44,100 --> 00:45:45,600
[Dr. Higham] Exactly
what we wanted.
1094
00:45:45,600 --> 00:45:47,900
-[Josh] So enough material
for you to work with.
-It should be yeah.
1095
00:45:47,900 --> 00:45:49,967
-[Josh] And now
the hard work begins.
-[Dr. Higham] Indeed.
1096
00:45:49,967 --> 00:45:51,600
[Josh] So where is this
sample bound for?
1097
00:45:51,600 --> 00:45:53,767
[Dr. Higham] This sample
is going back to Austria
1098
00:45:53,767 --> 00:45:54,667
to the University of Vienna.
1099
00:45:54,667 --> 00:45:56,767
-Where ancient DNA lab is.
-[Josh] Okay.
1100
00:45:56,767 --> 00:45:58,900
[Josh] Well, I'll be
waiting by the phone.
1101
00:45:58,900 --> 00:46:00,500
[Dr. Higham] Can't wait
to share it with you.
1102
00:46:00,500 --> 00:46:01,967
[Josh] All the best, man.
This is incredible.
1103
00:46:01,967 --> 00:46:03,300
[Dr. Higham] Thanks.
1104
00:46:03,300 --> 00:46:07,767
[Josh] The sequencing
will take up to six weeks
to complete,
1105
00:46:07,767 --> 00:46:11,233
so I return to my headquarters
for a long winter's nap.
1106
00:46:12,066 --> 00:46:15,100
Sure enough,
six weeks later,
my inbox pings
1107
00:46:15,100 --> 00:46:17,500
and I received the news
from the laboratory.
1108
00:46:17,500 --> 00:46:19,767
The DNA in Father
Dennis Relic
1109
00:46:19,767 --> 00:46:22,834
is too old and damaged
to be conclusive.
1110
00:46:24,166 --> 00:46:27,066
However, Tom and Georges
were able to determine
1111
00:46:27,066 --> 00:46:29,767
that this pubic bone
belonged to a man
1112
00:46:29,767 --> 00:46:32,767
who died in about 340 AD.
1113
00:46:32,767 --> 00:46:35,200
in other words, right around
when Saint Nicholas
1114
00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:38,900
is believed to have
gone to that great
toy factory in the sky.
1115
00:46:40,700 --> 00:46:44,066
It is astronomically unlikely
that this bone comes
1116
00:46:44,066 --> 00:46:45,600
from the correct
time period
1117
00:46:45,600 --> 00:46:47,667
and also perfectly completes
1118
00:46:47,667 --> 00:46:50,967
a missing part of the Venice
and Bari skeleton.
1119
00:46:50,967 --> 00:46:53,100
That is, unless
Father Dennis Relic
1120
00:46:53,100 --> 00:46:55,000
is, in fact, authentic.
1121
00:46:57,467 --> 00:46:58,634
Like Santa Claus.
1122
00:46:58,634 --> 00:47:02,000
I've flown a lot of miles,
and on my holiday mission,
1123
00:47:02,000 --> 00:47:05,467
I've discovered the man
behind the mythology.
1124
00:47:05,467 --> 00:47:08,567
A remarkable bishop
whose life inspired
1125
00:47:08,567 --> 00:47:10,700
traditions that
endure today.
1126
00:47:12,500 --> 00:47:15,166
And though Christmas
is a season of miracles,
1127
00:47:15,166 --> 00:47:17,266
the deeds
of the historical Nick
1128
00:47:17,266 --> 00:47:20,700
are indelibly,
unmistakably human.
1129
00:47:20,700 --> 00:47:26,300
A reminder that we should
all protect care for
and give to one another.
1130
00:47:29,166 --> 00:47:32,467
We've learned that his bones
were likely stolen,
1131
00:47:32,467 --> 00:47:35,000
and we can say
with strong certainty
1132
00:47:35,000 --> 00:47:38,066
that they reside in
two Italian cities.
1133
00:47:38,066 --> 00:47:41,100
And now, we can add
Chicago to the list.
1134
00:47:43,767 --> 00:47:46,667
Getting to know
the real Saint Nicholas
has been an honor
1135
00:47:46,667 --> 00:47:49,166
that I'll carry with me
for a lifetime.
1136
00:47:49,166 --> 00:47:50,266
One that I'll remember
1137
00:47:50,266 --> 00:47:51,600
each time I say,
1138
00:47:52,667 --> 00:47:56,300
Merry Christmas to all
and to all a good night.