The earliest full-dress hagiographical “life” of St Nicholas of Myra, a.k.a. Santa Claus, is the Vita per Michaelem by Michael the Archimandrite, dating from the 9th century. The first 11 chapters of this were translated by John Quinn of Hope College, Holland, Michigan, but he died in 2008 while out jogging without completing the work. His version has been online at the St Nicholas Center website here, marked as their copyright.
A little while ago I commissioned Bryson Sewell to translate the remaining chapters, and his excellent translation has come through today. I have donated a copy to the St Nicholas Center for their use, which should allow them to complete their page. But of course I would like to circulate a complete text too! So I have written to them to see whether they will make their chapters into something that can circulate, perhaps Creative Commons or something.
We’ll see. In the mean time I shall look over the other St Nicholas material, with an eye to seeing what else ought to be translated. There is, of course, loads of stuff; but it is the earliest and most important that matters here.
Bryson has done excellent work, as usual.
Thank you – it’s great to know.