Santa's bones burnt and destroyed after French church theft

Résumé détaillé

A fragment of Saint Nicholas's remains has been stolen from a French basilica and allegedly burned and crushed by a suspect who told police he viewed devotion to the relic as idol worship.

The bones of the saint who inspired Santa Claus have been stolen from a French church and allegedly burned and crushed just weeks before Christmas.

Priests at the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Lorraine reported the theft of a sacred relic on November 2, prompting a police investigation.

A suspect was subsequently arrested and allegedly admitted breaking open the display case before burning and crushing the remains.

The parish said on social media: "The police investigation made it possible to identify and arrest the perpetrator. He admitted having broken the display case, then burned and crushed the relic.

"Beyond the heritage value of this object, what touches us today is, above all, a profound attack on our history, our faith and the devotion of generations of pilgrims.

"The parish is deeply grieved by this act. The relic of Saint Nicholas represents a precious link with our patron saint, whose memory we celebrate every year, and whose spiritual radiance far exceeds the boundaries of Lorraine."

The theft comes shortly before the Feast of St Nicholas on December 6, which commemorates the saint's death.

Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century Christian bishop from what is now Turkey and became famous for his generosity and charitable acts.

His reputation for giving gifts to children eventually helped inspire the modern legend of Santa Claus.

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