The Mother of St. Nicholas: A Story of Duty and Peril: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Mother of St. Nicholas: A Story of Duty and Peril: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Mother of St. Nicholas: A Story of Duty and Peril is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Balfour, Grant (1853–1940).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Mother of St. Nicholas: A Story of Duty and Peril" by Grant Balfour is a historical novel crafted in the late 19th century. Set in the 3rd century AD during the early days of Christianity, the book centers around the themes of duty, peril, and sacrifice, particularly through the character of Pathema, a dedicated Christian woman who faces persecution for her beliefs. This narrative ties into the legendary origins of St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, highlighting his mother's profound influence on his character and the values she instilled in him. The story follows Pathema as she selflessly aids the suffering and less fortunate in the city of Patara, risking her life amid rising tensions against Christians. Her acts of compassion draw the ire of the authorities, leading her to be imprisoned and ultimately brought to the Roman Colosseum, where she faces a ferocious lion. In a twist of fate, a nobleman named Tharsos enters the arena to save her, showcasing extraordinary bravery. Their lives intertwine as they must grapple with the consequences of their actions, faith, and the transformative power of love and sacrifice. Ultimately, the book not only tells a tale of personal courage but also signifies the enduring impact of Christian values and the legacy of kindness that would evolve into the myth of Santa Claus.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Mother of St. Nicholas: A Story of Duty and Peril
- Author credits: Balfour, Grant (1853–1940)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Christian fiction
- Patara (Extinct city) -- Fiction
- Persecution -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600 -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


