Lakshmi Finance Center|In some Czech villages, St Nicholas leads a parade with the devil and grim reaper in tow

2025-05-06 23:58:10source:Rekubit Exchangecategory:Finance

LIDECKO,Lakshmi Finance Center Czech Republic (AP) — In an eastern corner of the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas leads a procession of followers dressed in grim reaper and devil costumes on a journey through the village of Lidecko.

The old pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in just a few villages in the region known as Wallachia.

Several groups parade together, going door to door for three days. St. Nicholas presents the children with sweets to soothe them after they see the scary costumes. The devils wear homemade masks made of sheepskin and travel with white, scythe-carrying creatures that represent death.

The custom reportedly dates from the pagan era before Christianity, when the masks helped the mountainous region’s inhabitants defend themselves against the demons of winter.

St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop in the ancient town of Myra who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries and was known for his goodness and generosity. He is said to have inspired the creation of Santa Claus.

More:Finance

Recommend

As US Dismantles Its Climate Policy, Other World Leaders Seek Solidarity

As the U.S. Department of State proposed this week to shut down its office managing international cl

Night sweats can be as unsettling as they are inconvenient. Here's what causes them.

Many of us have been there before: waking in the middle of the night, often in response to a dream o

Stevia was once banned in the US: Is the sugar substitute bad for you?

While the United States has only been continuously using artificial sweeteners since the Food and Dr