Lead: One of the most beloved legendary figures of the western world is Santa Claus. His legend originated in 4th century southwest Asia Minor, which is present day Turkey. Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: The tradition of Santa Claus has its genesis in various customs of different cultures throughout the world. However, the great influence came from a real person - a young monk named Nicholas who served as a priest and later as a bishop in the town of Myra, on the Mediterranean seacoast. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [103.60 KB] Share