"Expedition Unknown" Searching for World War II's Lost Hero

ID	13206396
Movie Name	"Expedition Unknown" Searching for World War II's Lost Hero
Release Name	Expedition.Unknown.S15E06.1080p.HEVC.x265-MeGusta[EZTVx.to]
Year	2025
Kind	tv
Language	English
IMDB ID	37600127
Format	srt

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1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:12,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 2 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:27,236 The story of Santa is one we think we all know. 3 00:00:27,260 --> 00:00:28,976 But where did it come from? 4 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,436 This legend that glows long before Santa 5 00:00:32,460 --> 00:00:34,336 and Saint Nick were the same. 6 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,836 It was Nick, a mere mortal who started the flame. 7 00:00:37,860 --> 00:00:41,536 So who was this guy, the first man with the sack? 8 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,800 To discover the answers we need to go back. 9 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:53,836 Almost 2000 years to a pre Santa time 10 00:00:53,860 --> 00:00:55,676 when Nick was a bishop. 11 00:00:55,700 --> 00:00:57,636 In his miracle prime. 12 00:00:57,660 --> 00:01:01,606 It said he saved a poor family, by giving them gold. 13 00:01:01,630 --> 00:01:06,176 And rescued those drowning from an ocean so cold. 14 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:09,976 Did he resurrect children who were pickled and dead. 15 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,236 Or invade the dreams of the emperor 16 00:01:12,260 --> 00:01:14,376 to dance in his head. 17 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,936 His life also holds answers to mysteries we share, 18 00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:19,836 like leaving gifts out of sight 19 00:01:19,860 --> 00:01:22,300 or hanging stockings with care. 20 00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:24,776 To unravel the legends. 21 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,136 Saint Nick left clues behind. 22 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,136 His body was buried forever enshrined. 23 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,376 But there's a twist in the tale 24 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:34,436 that leads us back to today. 25 00:01:34,460 --> 00:01:39,336 You see, his tomb was invaded, his bones spirited away. 26 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,236 His grave was robbed twice. 27 00:01:41,260 --> 00:01:42,107 Believe it or not. 28 00:01:42,131 --> 00:01:45,836 And his final location is argued a lot. 29 00:01:45,860 --> 00:01:50,676 Some say he's in Bari or is it in venice he rests. 30 00:01:50,700 --> 00:01:53,330 One guy is convinced that he's in the mid west. 31 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:56,576 Can his bones be examined? 32 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,676 Can we help crack the case? 33 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:02,836 And could DNA finally give Santa a face? 34 00:02:02,860 --> 00:02:06,136 The search for Saint Nick and his bones is my mission. 35 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:07,776 So let's find the fellow 36 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,500 behind our Christmas traditions. 37 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:16,736 The past is all around us. 38 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:18,976 This is crazy. 39 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:20,430 A world of mystery. 40 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:21,977 - This is a plane. - Yeah. 41 00:02:22,001 --> 00:02:23,336 Ha-ha! 42 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:24,337 Danger. 43 00:02:24,361 --> 00:02:26,036 We are about to be underwater. 44 00:02:26,060 --> 00:02:27,060 Whoa! 45 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:29,700 And adventure. 46 00:02:31,860 --> 00:02:33,400 It's just straight down. 47 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,836 I travel to the far corners of the earth 48 00:02:40,860 --> 00:02:42,760 to uncover where legends end. 49 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:45,836 And history begins. 50 00:02:45,860 --> 00:02:46,860 Let's punch it. 51 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:50,360 I'm Josh gates, and this is... 52 00:03:00,500 --> 00:03:02,476 If you were to close your eyes 53 00:03:02,500 --> 00:03:04,976 and summon the world of Santa claus, 54 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:06,576 you'd almost certainly picture yourself 55 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:10,136 standing on freshly fallen snow at the north pole. 56 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,600 And not well here. 57 00:03:17,660 --> 00:03:19,636 But it turns out the legend of Santa 58 00:03:19,660 --> 00:03:22,136 or Noel baba, as he's known in these parts, 59 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,836 begins nearly 4000 miles from Santa's workshop. 60 00:03:25,860 --> 00:03:28,300 Here on the edge of the mediterranean. 61 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,000 Welcome to Turkey. 62 00:03:36,900 --> 00:03:39,576 This rugged spit of land in the mediterranean sea 63 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:42,376 is gemiler island, the place of boats. 64 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,176 It is said that sailors stopped here 65 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:47,130 for divine blessing on their way to the holy land. 66 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:50,376 But it is also known as Saint Nicholas island. 67 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,776 And that's because about 1700 years ago, 68 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,836 a famous bishop by that name 69 00:03:54,860 --> 00:03:57,300 was reportedly laid to rest here. 70 00:03:58,260 --> 00:03:59,936 The centuries old rumor says 71 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:01,736 that this long abandoned church, 72 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,236 still sporting a set of stunning mosaic floors, 73 00:04:05,260 --> 00:04:07,436 is the original burial place of the man, 74 00:04:07,460 --> 00:04:09,800 who would eventually become Santa. 75 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:12,476 There's just one small issue. 76 00:04:12,500 --> 00:04:14,836 There is absolutely no physical evidence 77 00:04:14,860 --> 00:04:16,776 that he was ever interred here. 78 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:18,076 And this is the problem 79 00:04:18,100 --> 00:04:19,876 with the historical Saint Nick. 80 00:04:19,900 --> 00:04:22,236 He's intertwined with the world's most 81 00:04:22,260 --> 00:04:24,276 heartwarming holiday legend. 82 00:04:24,300 --> 00:04:27,676 So to find the man behind the man in the red suit, 83 00:04:27,700 --> 00:04:30,736 we have to follow a very faint trail. 84 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:32,700 One that leads to the mainland. 85 00:04:36,460 --> 00:04:38,836 My Christmas wish comes true in the form of a lift 86 00:04:38,860 --> 00:04:40,400 from some local fishermen. 87 00:04:42,660 --> 00:04:45,136 From here, it's a trip along the rugged coast 88 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:46,600 and through the mountains. 89 00:04:47,260 --> 00:04:49,336 To the historic town of Myra, 90 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:51,636 home to the haunting cliff cut tombs 91 00:04:51,660 --> 00:04:54,936 from when this was a region known as lycia. 92 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,236 It was near here that a boy was born 93 00:04:57,260 --> 00:04:59,836 two well off Greek Christian parents, 94 00:04:59,860 --> 00:05:01,636 at that time, being Christian 95 00:05:01,660 --> 00:05:04,176 was a dangerous, even fatal calling 96 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:05,976 because the religion was forbidden 97 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:07,930 by law in the Roman empire. 98 00:05:10,900 --> 00:05:13,576 This ancient city was clearly constructed 99 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:17,576 at a time of pagan gods with temples to Artemis 100 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:20,536 and a soaring Greek theater built to sing 101 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,776 the praises of many deities, but all that changes 102 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,776 when constantine becomes emperor in 306 103 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:29,836 and the Roman empire embraces christianity. 104 00:05:29,860 --> 00:05:31,436 Suddenly, in the middle of his life, 105 00:05:31,460 --> 00:05:34,630 a man named Nicholas is free to preach. 106 00:05:35,660 --> 00:05:39,076 To learn how a simple priest became a global phenomenon. 107 00:05:39,100 --> 00:05:43,176 I'm meeting author and Saint Nicholas biographer Jeremy seal. 108 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:44,236 Nice to meet you. 109 00:05:44,260 --> 00:05:45,207 Nice to meet you too. 110 00:05:45,231 --> 00:05:46,736 And I take it from walking around here 111 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:48,536 that this was once a pretty bustling place? 112 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:49,576 Yeah, an important place, 113 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,676 connected by its port at andriaki, 114 00:05:51,700 --> 00:05:54,236 just down the road to all the big cities of the period. 115 00:05:54,260 --> 00:05:56,836 So we're talking about Alexandria to the south, 116 00:05:56,860 --> 00:05:58,276 Jerusalem to the south, 117 00:05:58,300 --> 00:06:00,636 and then north to Rome, constantinople 118 00:06:00,660 --> 00:06:02,336 the north pole -and indeed the north pole. 119 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:03,736 - We won't forget that. - Absolutely. 120 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:05,036 Which brings us to Saint Nicholas. 121 00:06:05,060 --> 00:06:05,977 Indeed it does. 122 00:06:06,001 --> 00:06:07,236 You wrote the book on him? 123 00:06:07,260 --> 00:06:08,436 - I did, indeed. - Literally. 124 00:06:08,460 --> 00:06:09,536 Yes, literally. 125 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:10,537 I have a lot of questions. 126 00:06:10,561 --> 00:06:11,836 - And so you should have. Yeah. - Yeah. 127 00:06:11,860 --> 00:06:15,436 First of all, I can't find much biographical information 128 00:06:15,460 --> 00:06:17,036 for him from when he was alive. 129 00:06:17,060 --> 00:06:18,536 Nothing at all. To be honest with you. 130 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,136 - Yeah. - And the earliest references 131 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,836 that we can rely upon really from a couple of hundred years later. 132 00:06:23,860 --> 00:06:26,376 Those accounts suggest that a young Nicholas 133 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:27,776 lived a quiet life. 134 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,236 Until christianity is embraced by the Roman empire. 135 00:06:31,260 --> 00:06:35,376 And it seems like when that happens, his life takes off. 136 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,836 Yeah, I mean, he becomes at a very early age 137 00:06:38,860 --> 00:06:40,576 the bishop here at Myra. 138 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:44,236 So suddenly he's catapulted to prominence. 139 00:06:44,260 --> 00:06:46,236 It is said that he distributes his parents 140 00:06:46,260 --> 00:06:49,136 considerable wealth to the poor and becomes 141 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,836 a zealous advocate for christianity. 142 00:06:51,860 --> 00:06:53,876 Time passes and an older Nicolas 143 00:06:53,900 --> 00:06:58,036 attends the famed council of nicaea in the year 325, 144 00:06:58,060 --> 00:07:01,876 where bishops come to debate the nature of the holy Trinity. 145 00:07:01,900 --> 00:07:05,636 When one bishop suggests that Jesus was not equal to god, 146 00:07:05,660 --> 00:07:08,336 Nicholas physically assaults the delegates. 147 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,536 So Nicholas is the person who stands up. 148 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:12,876 Slaps him down, and because of that 149 00:07:12,900 --> 00:07:14,136 sorry, literal... literally slaps? 150 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,276 Literally slaps him. Slaps him around the face. 151 00:07:16,300 --> 00:07:17,476 It is so said. 152 00:07:17,500 --> 00:07:20,036 And because of that, ends up spending some time in prison. 153 00:07:20,060 --> 00:07:22,636 So he's a man who clearly stands for his principles, 154 00:07:22,660 --> 00:07:23,607 he knows what he thinks. 155 00:07:23,631 --> 00:07:25,276 I think we can certainly say that much of him. 156 00:07:25,300 --> 00:07:26,136 Santa means business. 157 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:27,006 Indeed he does. 158 00:07:27,030 --> 00:07:27,977 - Right. - Indeed he does. Yes. 159 00:07:28,001 --> 00:07:30,576 And then we get all of these story... 160 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:32,536 - Yeah. - About his miracles. 161 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:34,976 - Yeah. - And there are a lot of these stories 162 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:35,777 exceptionally so. 163 00:07:35,801 --> 00:07:38,336 One of which actually might connect 164 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,476 to how you celebrate Christmas today. 165 00:07:40,500 --> 00:07:41,636 - Really? Okay. - Yeah. 166 00:07:41,660 --> 00:07:43,276 The story is called the three daughters. 167 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:47,236 The story goes that an impoverished nobleman lacks the dowry with which 168 00:07:47,260 --> 00:07:49,076 to marry off his three daughters. 169 00:07:49,100 --> 00:07:53,376 And in desperation, considers selling them into prostitution. 170 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,476 Until Nicholas miraculously intervenes, 171 00:07:56,500 --> 00:07:58,236 dropping three bags of gold 172 00:07:58,260 --> 00:08:00,236 through the family's open window. 173 00:08:00,260 --> 00:08:02,976 Giving them an anonymous present. 174 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,236 So this worldwide cultural tradition 175 00:08:05,260 --> 00:08:08,476 now of giving gifts on Christmas night... Yeah. 176 00:08:08,500 --> 00:08:12,376 Comes from this man trying to save three women 177 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:13,736 from a life of desperation. 178 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:15,836 Believe it or not, it does. 179 00:08:15,860 --> 00:08:16,876 But hold on to your hat 180 00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:19,136 - because it gets even crazier than that. - Okay. 181 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:20,776 In the version that I've told you, 182 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,976 he gives the gifts through the window, 183 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:28,636 but there is a moment in the 1300s when that changes. 184 00:08:28,660 --> 00:08:32,636 Where sir Nicholas is not putting 185 00:08:32,660 --> 00:08:34,336 the bags of gold through a window, 186 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,100 but he's actually dropping them down a chimney. 187 00:08:38,100 --> 00:08:39,436 That's it. We just solved Christmas. 188 00:08:39,460 --> 00:08:40,760 We can go... we can go back for Christmas now. 189 00:08:40,784 --> 00:08:41,336 We can go home now 190 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:42,237 exactly. Yeah 191 00:08:42,261 --> 00:08:43,736 and there are lots of elements like that. 192 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:45,236 You think about the Christmas story 193 00:08:45,260 --> 00:08:47,236 and in fact, you can trace all of them 194 00:08:47,260 --> 00:08:49,436 to at some point, as this story kind of develops 195 00:08:49,460 --> 00:08:52,123 and changes and shifts over the centuries. 196 00:08:52,147 --> 00:08:52,636 Right. 197 00:08:52,660 --> 00:08:55,236 One of the elements, of course, is the idea of stockings. 198 00:08:55,260 --> 00:08:57,836 And I think that goes back to shoes. 199 00:08:57,860 --> 00:09:00,636 In some tellings of the story of the three daughters, 200 00:09:00,660 --> 00:09:03,436 the gold coins land in one of the girl's shoes 201 00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:06,636 or even in their laundered socks drying by the fire. 202 00:09:06,660 --> 00:09:11,000 Which eventually become stockings hung by the chimney with care. 203 00:09:11,300 --> 00:09:12,277 An incredible story. 204 00:09:12,301 --> 00:09:14,676 This is just one of a huge number of stories 205 00:09:14,700 --> 00:09:15,706 associated with Nicholas, 206 00:09:15,730 --> 00:09:18,636 which take very different approaches to the man. 207 00:09:18,660 --> 00:09:21,376 Right. There are a lot of stories about him that involve miracles. 208 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,176 There are, indeed, you've got stories, 209 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:27,076 particularly about his role as a protector of sailors. 210 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:29,576 As paganism gave way to christianity, 211 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,376 the functions of the old gods 212 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:33,636 were adopted by patron saints. 213 00:09:33,660 --> 00:09:36,976 And Nicolas got one of the sweetest gigs in christendom. 214 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,476 As the patron Saint of those at sea, 215 00:09:39,500 --> 00:09:43,736 with stories of him miraculously saving drowning fishermen. 216 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,336 And that probably helps his story spread even further. 217 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:47,576 - I think so. - It's kind of viral 218 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,236 because they go out in the world, of course, and they talk. 219 00:09:50,260 --> 00:09:52,636 Sailors are the ones that initiate this telephone game. 220 00:09:52,660 --> 00:09:53,736 That's what makes them go viral. 221 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:55,636 - Indeed. Exactly, exactly. - Going all over the world. 222 00:09:55,660 --> 00:09:56,537 - Exactly. - Incredible. 223 00:09:56,561 --> 00:09:57,876 That is why, if you look at the map now, 224 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:02,336 you will see Saint Nicholas attached to capes, headlands, 225 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,736 ports, churches and churches and ports 226 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:06,236 all over the Christian world. 227 00:10:06,260 --> 00:10:08,236 That's incredible. 228 00:10:08,260 --> 00:10:10,176 Saint Nicholas, though, isn't just remembered 229 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:12,476 as miraculously protecting fishermen. 230 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:14,976 His resume is much broader than that. 231 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:19,136 There's a story that he casts a demon out of a tree, as one does 232 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,136 and that he somehow resurrects three dead boys 233 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:25,536 who were murdered and pickled in a barrel. 234 00:10:25,560 --> 00:10:27,676 - He resurrects... - he resurrects these pickled boys? 235 00:10:27,700 --> 00:10:29,836 These pickled boys who are lying in a barrel. 236 00:10:29,860 --> 00:10:32,076 And hey, here's the thing about the barrel, 237 00:10:32,100 --> 00:10:34,576 the visual representation of the barrel, 238 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:36,636 comes to the notice of brewers, 239 00:10:36,660 --> 00:10:39,176 who, because of that made Saint Nicholas 240 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:40,836 the patron Saint of brewing. 241 00:10:40,860 --> 00:10:42,936 So because he's supposed to reanimate 242 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:44,736 three dead pickled boys... 243 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:45,976 - From a barrel. - From a barrel from a barrel... 244 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,336 - Importantly. Yeah. - He becomes the patron Saint 245 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:49,336 of beermakers? 246 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:50,177 Exactly that. 247 00:10:50,201 --> 00:10:52,236 And because he looks after children, 248 00:10:52,260 --> 00:10:54,176 he becomes the patron Saint of children. 249 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:55,536 Who else is he the patron Saint of? 250 00:10:55,560 --> 00:10:56,876 Because of the three daughters, 251 00:10:56,900 --> 00:10:58,976 he's the patron Saint of unmarried people. 252 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,836 And actually prostitutes. 253 00:11:00,860 --> 00:11:05,336 Not to mention, wrongly imprisoned criminals and perfumers. 254 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:06,876 - People who make perfume? - -That's it. 255 00:11:06,900 --> 00:11:08,536 - Sure. - Yeah. 256 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:09,776 This is what makes him unique. 257 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:11,436 He's like a Saint for all seasons. 258 00:11:11,460 --> 00:11:12,906 Exactly. 259 00:11:12,930 --> 00:11:16,336 He's like a blotting paper, and all these ideas basically bleed into it. 260 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,736 Amazing. So how do we unravel the mysteries of who he really was 261 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:21,736 and where he physically ended up? 262 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,136 Well, it's kind of like any good police case. 263 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:25,736 And as in any good police case, 264 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:27,120 you've got to start with the body. 265 00:11:27,460 --> 00:11:28,876 Okay. Where's the body? 266 00:11:28,900 --> 00:11:30,130 Come with me. 267 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:33,236 Jeremy leads me beyond the ruins 268 00:11:33,260 --> 00:11:36,000 to a palatial house of worship. 269 00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:38,530 Wow. 270 00:11:46,660 --> 00:11:48,636 What a stunning space. 271 00:11:48,660 --> 00:11:49,776 This is amazing. 272 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,436 Welcome to the church of Saint Nicholas in Myra, Josh. 273 00:11:52,460 --> 00:11:54,376 It's a very, very important place, 274 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,376 very important in the Christian story. 275 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,136 Very important in Saint Nicholas story. 276 00:11:58,160 --> 00:11:59,836 When does all of this date from? 277 00:11:59,860 --> 00:12:04,536 Well, Saint Nicholas dies in about 340 ad. 278 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:06,376 - Okay. - -He's born in 270, 279 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,676 so we take him to be about 70 years old 280 00:12:08,700 --> 00:12:11,976 and we assume that there would have been a church here. 281 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:13,576 For which he was the bishop. 282 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,076 - So he would have been ministering here. - -Indeed. 283 00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:19,536 After his death, the church becomes a shrine. 284 00:12:19,560 --> 00:12:22,736 Today everywhere you look, there's iconography. 285 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:26,636 Including frescoes depicting Nick's divine interventions 286 00:12:26,660 --> 00:12:28,836 and according to historic sources, 287 00:12:28,860 --> 00:12:31,436 Nick was buried inside the church. 288 00:12:31,460 --> 00:12:34,076 Making this building an important pilgrimage site. 289 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:36,176 And all of this grand architecture 290 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:37,636 that gets built up over time. 291 00:12:37,660 --> 00:12:39,436 It's not just because Saint Nicholas 292 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:40,606 was a bishop here, right? 293 00:12:40,630 --> 00:12:42,636 - No, it's because he was buried here. - Right. 294 00:12:42,660 --> 00:12:45,530 So now what should be a simple follow up question? 295 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:46,836 Where is he? 296 00:12:46,860 --> 00:12:49,836 So there have been recent excavations right here. 297 00:12:49,860 --> 00:12:53,136 And while they did get down to earlier levels of the church 298 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:54,636 and they found some beautiful mosaics, 299 00:12:54,660 --> 00:12:56,776 for example, they did not find a crypt. 300 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:58,776 So if he wasn't buried right here, 301 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:00,076 where was he buried? 302 00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:02,321 Well, let me show you where the pilgrims go. 303 00:13:02,345 --> 00:13:02,736 Sure. 304 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:04,600 Let's follow the pilgrims, please. 305 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:14,336 So here we are, Josh, the popularly 306 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:17,376 accepted sarcophagus of Saint Nicholas. 307 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:18,976 Okay. And we do have this 308 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,676 really a grand, ornate marble sarcophagus here 309 00:13:22,700 --> 00:13:23,537 from the right period. 310 00:13:23,561 --> 00:13:24,806 - From the right period? - Yeah. 311 00:13:24,830 --> 00:13:29,376 Okay. Now I can't help but notice one glaring problem. 312 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,676 It does appear to be slightly broken into. 313 00:13:31,700 --> 00:13:34,336 Yeah, the front is missing, so it's worth saying, 314 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:36,176 that even though Saint Nicholas 315 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:38,076 was buried somewhere in this church. 316 00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:40,536 He's not here now, and that is because 317 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:43,600 the bones of Saint Nicholas were stolen. 318 00:13:43,860 --> 00:13:44,777 I'm sorry. 319 00:13:44,801 --> 00:13:46,076 Santa's bones are missing. 320 00:13:46,100 --> 00:13:47,630 They are indeed missing. 321 00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:54,736 Santa's bones are missing? 322 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:56,276 They are indeed missing. 323 00:13:56,300 --> 00:13:58,136 I'm with historian Jeremy seal 324 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,476 in the ancient ruins of Myra in modern day Turkey. 325 00:14:01,500 --> 00:14:04,136 We're learning about the true story of Saint Nicholas. 326 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,276 The historical bishop who inspired 327 00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:08,576 the legendary Santa claus 328 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:10,736 here in the church that was once his tomb. 329 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:12,436 There's only one thing missing. 330 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:15,476 The remains of Saint Nicholas himself. 331 00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:17,736 They were taken by a group of sailors 332 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:19,676 from the city of Bari in Italy. 333 00:14:19,700 --> 00:14:20,637 Okay. 334 00:14:20,661 --> 00:14:22,876 The Italians, like all Christian sailors, 335 00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:24,536 were fond of their patron Saint, 336 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:26,300 and decided to steal him. 337 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,836 It's not exactly Danny ocean at the bellagio, either. 338 00:14:30,860 --> 00:14:34,036 They smash open the tomb and take the remains. 339 00:14:34,060 --> 00:14:37,576 One sailor named Mateo even jumps into the crypt. 340 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,700 Crushing a few of the smaller bones under his feet. 341 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:42,876 The rest sailed triumphantly 342 00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:46,200 with the skeleton crew, back to Bari. 343 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:48,976 The account is very well attested 344 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:52,136 by a well respected scribe called nicephorus. 345 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,176 Who writes in great detail about what happened. 346 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,736 He describes it as a great triumph for the sailors. 347 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:00,676 Why? Why do this? 348 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,576 There's probably a few reasons. 349 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:04,676 The main one, of course, is that relics. 350 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:08,536 In this period are very highly regarded. 351 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:10,636 The word "relic" this case means 352 00:15:10,660 --> 00:15:13,136 pieces of actual human remains. 353 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:14,576 In the time of the crusades, 354 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:16,476 the relics of a catholic Saint, 355 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:20,436 would be a major draw for pilgrims and other tourists. 356 00:15:20,460 --> 00:15:21,976 We have Santa's village. 357 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,976 They had Santa's bones. 358 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,976 So if this all did happen, is this our sarcophagus? 359 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,976 Is this the one that the sailors from Bari broke into? 360 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,676 It's tempting to think that 361 00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:33,800 but I don't think so. Have a look at it. 362 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:36,976 The first thing you notice on the top 363 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,576 is that there are two now beheaded figures 364 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,736 which suggest it must have been the sarcophagus of a couple. 365 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,536 - So, Mrs. Claus? - Yeah, very good. 366 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:45,477 Very good. 367 00:15:45,501 --> 00:15:47,536 The thing is that actually Saint Nicholas 368 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:49,836 was famously celibate and single. 369 00:15:49,860 --> 00:15:51,236 Sure. Of course. 370 00:15:51,260 --> 00:15:54,976 The second one, is that the accounts describe 371 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,076 the sailors breaking in from the top. 372 00:15:57,100 --> 00:15:59,636 It's a vault, based in the floor, 373 00:15:59,660 --> 00:16:03,236 and this clearly isn't that the breaking in is from the side. 374 00:16:03,260 --> 00:16:05,276 So if he wasn't buried in front of the altar 375 00:16:05,300 --> 00:16:08,000 and he's not buried here, where was he buried? 376 00:16:08,460 --> 00:16:09,500 Come with me. 377 00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:12,436 It seems that Santa has been down more 378 00:16:12,460 --> 00:16:14,176 graves than chimneys. 379 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,076 Jeremy thinks there's another location 380 00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:19,436 in Nicholas church that befits the Saint. 381 00:16:19,460 --> 00:16:22,736 This is the last possible contender 382 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:24,336 as the burial place for Saint Nicholas. 383 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:26,476 You see the slab below us. 384 00:16:26,500 --> 00:16:27,337 There's some Greek here. 385 00:16:27,361 --> 00:16:28,636 You're seeing it. You're seeing Greek. 386 00:16:28,660 --> 00:16:30,336 You're seeing Greek of the period. 387 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:32,436 And while it's a little bit broken up, 388 00:16:32,460 --> 00:16:34,976 so it's hard to read exactly what it says. 389 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,336 The word grace is clear, which suggests to us 390 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:38,936 it could be the embodiment of grace 391 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:40,536 - or the place of grace. - Right. 392 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:45,036 Some suggestion that this was, at the very least, the resting place 393 00:16:45,060 --> 00:16:47,336 of an important and significant figure. 394 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:50,436 But if Nick was here, he's not now. 395 00:16:50,460 --> 00:16:52,336 Scans of the floor in this section, 396 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:54,736 have not revealed his crypt. 397 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:56,876 Okay, I'm quickly I earning that the search 398 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:58,636 for Saint Nicholas is not straightforward. 399 00:16:58,660 --> 00:16:59,936 It's going to be full of dead ends. 400 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:01,536 It's going to be full of contradictions. 401 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:04,536 There are some who believe that he never left the church 402 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:06,836 that he's still here, which suggests that 403 00:17:06,860 --> 00:17:09,436 the Italians took the wrong bones. 404 00:17:09,460 --> 00:17:10,676 What do you think? 405 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:12,205 I think the Italian's got the right bones. 406 00:17:12,229 --> 00:17:12,576 You do? 407 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,336 The accounts, they are very detailed, 408 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:16,576 and that persuades me. 409 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,076 But if you want to prove it, 410 00:17:18,100 --> 00:17:20,300 you're gonna have to go elsewhere -elsewhere? 411 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:21,806 Like to Italy? 412 00:17:21,830 --> 00:17:24,076 Like to Italy. That would be my best suggestion. 413 00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:25,236 Thank you, sir. 414 00:17:25,260 --> 00:17:27,500 I really appreciate it, Jeremy. All the best -pleasure. 415 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,476 Jeremy has given me exactly what I wanted this Christmas. 416 00:17:32,500 --> 00:17:33,776 A mystery. 417 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,676 Did Italian sailors truly take the bones of Saint Nicholas? 418 00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:42,136 And what might they tell us about the mortal who became a legend? 419 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,676 To find out, I follow the path of Saint Nicholas 420 00:17:44,700 --> 00:17:48,736 stolen remains 780 mile s as Santa's sleigh 421 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:52,030 flies to the coastal Italian city of Bari. 422 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,730 Where I arrive under cover of darkness, 423 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,376 well, it is well before dawn here in the historic city of Bari. 424 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:05,076 But even in the dark, this place makes an impression. 425 00:18:05,100 --> 00:18:07,236 Between the massive city walls. 426 00:18:07,260 --> 00:18:09,076 And the imposing fortifications. 427 00:18:09,100 --> 00:18:12,400 It's clear this has always been a place worth defending. 428 00:18:14,700 --> 00:18:16,876 Bari is and has been for centuries 429 00:18:16,900 --> 00:18:20,476 a crucial Italian port on the adriatic sea. 430 00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:22,836 But since the alleged bones of Saint Nicholas 431 00:18:22,860 --> 00:18:26,976 arrived here in 1087, it's also been a holy city. 432 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,736 And as I make my way down into the old town, 433 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,400 it's clear I'm not the only pilgrim here. 434 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:35,800 A little crowded. 435 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,636 Turns out Saint Nicholas, very popular here. 436 00:18:39,660 --> 00:18:42,236 Once the people of Bari reportedly got their hands 437 00:18:42,260 --> 00:18:45,236 on the Saint's remains, the city set about erecting 438 00:18:45,260 --> 00:18:47,436 a building worthy of housing them. 439 00:18:47,460 --> 00:18:49,976 One hundred years later, in 1197 440 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,536 they finished this, the stunning 441 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:54,736 basilica of Saint Nicholas. 442 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:58,476 It may seem a little early to go to church, but this morning 443 00:18:58,500 --> 00:19:00,800 it's the most popular place in town. 444 00:19:07,460 --> 00:19:09,876 You know, when we think about celebrating old Saint Nick? 445 00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:12,176 We think, of course, December 25. 446 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,636 But here in the city of Bari, it is today. 447 00:19:14,660 --> 00:19:17,776 The early morning of December 6, that really matters. 448 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:19,976 This is the feast of Saint Nicholas 449 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:22,336 when thousands of people cram into this square 450 00:19:22,360 --> 00:19:26,430 to commemorate Nicholas's death nearly 1700 years ago. 451 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,776 Even at this early hour, it's a party 452 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:33,000 with plenty of chances to grab a Saint Nick selfie. 453 00:19:33,460 --> 00:19:34,600 Thank you, Saint Nick. 454 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:35,936 Grazie. 455 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:38,530 You can even say hi to his more modern incarnation. 456 00:19:39,060 --> 00:19:40,136 There he is, Santa claus. 457 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:41,137 Everybody, I found him. 458 00:19:41,161 --> 00:19:43,336 Not just Saint Nick, Santa claus. 459 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:45,376 And because it's Italy, there's food. 460 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,200 And that food is good. 461 00:19:49,860 --> 00:19:50,737 Well, that's that. 462 00:19:50,761 --> 00:19:52,136 The best hot chocolate 463 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:53,800 that I've ever had in my entire life. 464 00:19:55,860 --> 00:19:57,400 And the best donuts. 465 00:19:58,000 --> 00:19:59,436 I'm never leaving this town. 466 00:19:59,460 --> 00:20:01,236 There's even a Christmas tree lighting 467 00:20:01,260 --> 00:20:03,900 that's verging on a Vegas style light show. 468 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:06,976 Christmas trees aren't directly tied 469 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,836 to the historical Saint Nick, 470 00:20:08,860 --> 00:20:10,536 putting greenery inside dates 471 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:12,476 all the way back to ancient Egypt. 472 00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:16,176 And later by various cultures to celebrate the solstice. 473 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:17,676 But you can thank the Germans 474 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,136 for putting entire trees indoors. 475 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,076 They set up paradise trees around Christmas time. 476 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:25,476 Meant to evoke the garden of Eden. 477 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,730 The practice spread throughout Europe, and the world. 478 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:40,430 Most intense tree lighting ceremony ever. 479 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,030 Merry Christmas. 480 00:20:57,060 --> 00:20:59,876 Once the tree is lit and dawn approaches, 481 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:03,636 the basilica doors open and the mood turns reverent. 482 00:21:03,660 --> 00:21:04,836 More than a thousand people 483 00:21:04,860 --> 00:21:07,336 file inside for a special mass. 484 00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:09,800 Honoring the Saint who became Santa. 485 00:21:29,060 --> 00:21:32,036 Mass concludes and the parishioners file out 486 00:21:32,060 --> 00:21:35,576 with the church's statue of Saint Nicholas in tow. 487 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:37,536 From here it will be paraded through 488 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,336 the streets of Bari for all to see. 489 00:21:40,360 --> 00:21:43,076 I, however, stay behind as the sun rises, 490 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:44,376 to meet the current steward 491 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,836 of Saint Nicholas church and possibly his bones. 492 00:21:47,860 --> 00:21:49,576 Father Giovanni distante. 493 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:50,736 Father, distant. 494 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:53,276 Buongiorno. Very nice to meet you. 495 00:21:53,300 --> 00:21:56,860 The morning mass was beautiful. 496 00:21:57,800 --> 00:21:58,976 Fantastic. 497 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:00,876 A pilgrimage of love of the whole city 498 00:22:00,900 --> 00:22:03,136 of Bari towards its patron Saint. 499 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:05,776 Yes, I have many questions about Saint Nicholas. 500 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:09,400 Let me show you the place that will answer them. 501 00:22:09,860 --> 00:22:10,860 Please. 502 00:22:12,100 --> 00:22:14,136 Father distante is giving us access 503 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:15,776 to the lower level of the church. 504 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:19,000 The subterranean crypt below the altar. 505 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,630 This is the tomb of Saint Nicholas. 506 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:30,430 So this is the actual tomb. 507 00:22:31,460 --> 00:22:32,676 This is where his bones have laid 508 00:22:32,700 --> 00:22:34,776 since sailors brought him to Bari. 509 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,300 Wow! 510 00:22:37,860 --> 00:22:39,736 This tomb has been here for almost 511 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:41,976 a thousand years with great respect. 512 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,976 Are we certain that these are the bones of Saint Nicholas? 513 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:45,937 Absolutely. 514 00:22:45,961 --> 00:22:49,076 The bones were placed in this tomb in 1089, 515 00:22:49,100 --> 00:22:50,930 shortly after they arrived in Bari. 516 00:22:51,860 --> 00:22:53,006 They've been here ever since. 517 00:22:53,030 --> 00:22:56,436 And then, of course, there's the holy manna to consider. 518 00:22:56,460 --> 00:22:59,376 I've heard of this manna. Tell me about this. 519 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:03,136 This is a a liquid that is produced by the bones? 520 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:03,977 Correct. 521 00:23:04,001 --> 00:23:06,676 It exudes from the bones of the Saint. 522 00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:09,176 Manna originally referred to the edible, 523 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:10,476 resinous substance 524 00:23:10,500 --> 00:23:12,676 with which god sustained the israelites 525 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:16,076 during their 40 years wandering in the sinai desert. 526 00:23:16,100 --> 00:23:19,336 In more modern times, though, manna refers to a substance 527 00:23:19,360 --> 00:23:21,676 with a divine origin or purpose. 528 00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:25,636 Like a liquid that exudes from the bones of a Saint. 529 00:23:25,660 --> 00:23:27,376 We extract the manna periodically, 530 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:29,476 and mix a few drops with blessed water 531 00:23:29,500 --> 00:23:31,900 to share Nicholas's blessings with the world. 532 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,476 This is for me. 533 00:23:34,500 --> 00:23:37,036 Aw. That's very, very nice of you. Thank you. 534 00:23:37,060 --> 00:23:39,276 So some manna of my own. 535 00:23:39,300 --> 00:23:40,700 Now will it make me younger? 536 00:23:41,460 --> 00:23:42,700 It's a question of faith 537 00:23:43,360 --> 00:23:45,000 and faith can move mountains. 538 00:23:45,860 --> 00:23:47,636 One thing about the manna that is special 539 00:23:47,660 --> 00:23:49,976 is that it's pure fresh water. 540 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,976 We're able to extract it from this hole 541 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,600 that goes down into the crypt. 542 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:57,136 That's where the manna is extracted from. 543 00:23:57,160 --> 00:23:59,436 Does this opening look down into the tomb? 544 00:23:59,460 --> 00:24:02,336 Yes. Would you like to take a look? 545 00:24:02,360 --> 00:24:04,936 What happens next takes my breath away. 546 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:08,736 We are being given access to peer beneath the crypts, altar. 547 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:12,600 And to look down into the tomb of Saint Nicholas himself. 548 00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:15,836 Okay, let's see what we can see. 549 00:24:15,860 --> 00:24:16,807 This is incredible. 550 00:24:16,831 --> 00:24:21,036 You can actually see way down into the tomb, 551 00:24:21,060 --> 00:24:23,736 and there is a bone down there. 552 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:26,000 You can see a bone in the liquid. 553 00:24:31,860 --> 00:24:33,130 There is a bone there. 554 00:24:33,460 --> 00:24:34,437 My word. 555 00:24:34,461 --> 00:24:37,476 In Bari Italy's basilica of Saint Nicholas. 556 00:24:37,500 --> 00:24:39,876 I'm talking to father Giovanni distante 557 00:24:39,900 --> 00:24:42,876 who has granted me an exceedingly rare privilege 558 00:24:42,900 --> 00:24:43,976 with my own eyes. 559 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:47,136 I am gazing upon what may be the bones of the Saint 560 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:49,176 who would become Santa claus. 561 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:51,976 In the nearly 1000 years this has been here. 562 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,336 Has it been opened ever? 563 00:24:54,360 --> 00:24:57,736 The church was undergoing preservation work in 1953 564 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:00,060 and for a time we opened the crypt. 565 00:25:00,700 --> 00:25:01,976 And then a few years ago, 566 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,336 a doctor was able to examine the remains 567 00:25:04,360 --> 00:25:06,976 from outside the crypt with a special camera. 568 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,800 I can arrange for you to speak with him. 569 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:11,976 Thank you very much. 570 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,030 I really appreciate it. This was really, really special. 571 00:25:16,860 --> 00:25:21,036 While physical access to the supposed Saint Nick is impossible. 572 00:25:21,060 --> 00:25:23,636 Fortunately, one man has had the opportunity 573 00:25:23,660 --> 00:25:26,276 to see the remains up close and personal. 574 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:31,336 Bari's chief medical examiner, professor francesco introna. 575 00:25:31,360 --> 00:25:34,476 I have read that you might know more about these bones 576 00:25:34,500 --> 00:25:36,236 than anybody else alive today. 577 00:25:36,260 --> 00:25:37,376 Yes, that's true. 578 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:38,836 I have seen them. 579 00:25:38,860 --> 00:25:39,837 - You have seen them? - Yes. 580 00:25:39,861 --> 00:25:43,536 We had the opportunity to look into the crypt. 581 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:44,836 We sent the camera inside 582 00:25:44,860 --> 00:25:46,876 like a snake camera, inside. 583 00:25:46,900 --> 00:25:49,736 A snake camera that we use in medicine. 584 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:51,636 Wow. What did you see? 585 00:25:51,660 --> 00:25:53,476 I can show you if you like. 586 00:25:53,500 --> 00:25:55,436 - You can show me? - Yes, absolutely. 587 00:25:55,460 --> 00:25:57,876 This is awesome. 588 00:25:57,900 --> 00:26:00,136 We are getting a once in a millennium view. 589 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:02,900 Inside the purported tomb of Saint Nick. 590 00:26:03,500 --> 00:26:04,676 I follow the camera's image 591 00:26:04,700 --> 00:26:06,976 as it snakes down the narrow hole. 592 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:08,936 And into the crypt itself. 593 00:26:08,960 --> 00:26:11,136 Are these all bones? 594 00:26:11,160 --> 00:26:12,676 Yeah, these are all bones. 595 00:26:12,700 --> 00:26:18,336 And what you see that is shining is the manna. 596 00:26:18,360 --> 00:26:19,476 - That's the liquid, right? - -Yes. 597 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:21,076 And then is that a rib bone? 598 00:26:21,100 --> 00:26:23,636 A rib. This is ribs. This is a vegetable. 599 00:26:23,660 --> 00:26:24,976 - Part of vertebrae. - Wow! 600 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:26,336 Incredible. 601 00:26:26,360 --> 00:26:29,436 I cannot believe how many remains are in here. 602 00:26:29,460 --> 00:26:32,436 And now you can see the major part 603 00:26:32,460 --> 00:26:34,600 of the skeleton that is the skull. 604 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,236 My god. 605 00:26:37,260 --> 00:26:38,976 The entire skull is there. 606 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:40,636 The entire skull is there 607 00:26:40,660 --> 00:26:43,076 the man that would become the inspiration 608 00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:44,576 - for the story of Santa claus. - -Absolutely. 609 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:46,376 We are looking at his skull. 610 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,176 - Absolutely. - How is it possible? 611 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:53,836 That skeletal remains that are 1700 years old 612 00:26:53,860 --> 00:26:56,200 that are sitting in liquid 613 00:26:56,860 --> 00:26:58,836 are not completely dissolved. 614 00:26:58,860 --> 00:27:02,836 It's impossible to explain, I think it's a miracle. 615 00:27:02,860 --> 00:27:04,136 - A miracle? - Yes. 616 00:27:04,160 --> 00:27:05,636 You're not supposed to talk like that. 617 00:27:05,660 --> 00:27:06,836 You're a scientist. 618 00:27:06,860 --> 00:27:08,736 I am a scientist. 619 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:10,376 But I believe in Saint Nicholas. 620 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:12,236 There you go. 621 00:27:12,260 --> 00:27:15,636 And Saint Nick, the miracle man appears to have struck again 622 00:27:15,660 --> 00:27:17,436 with bones sitting in liquid 623 00:27:17,460 --> 00:27:19,776 that have defied decomposition. 624 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:23,076 This video is the last time anyone saw the bones, 625 00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:24,436 but not the only time. 626 00:27:24,460 --> 00:27:28,136 They were physically examined once in the 1950s. 627 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:30,336 During construction work on the building. 628 00:27:30,360 --> 00:27:33,276 1953 they come out of the crypt, 629 00:27:33,300 --> 00:27:36,476 and a report is commissioned on them. Correct? 630 00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:40,976 Yes. This is a report of professor Luigi martino wow! 631 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,376 So let's talk about the conclusions from his study here. 632 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:46,476 What does he say about this individual? 633 00:27:46,500 --> 00:27:49,236 What does he learn from the examination of these bones? 634 00:27:49,260 --> 00:27:51,936 We learned several important things. 635 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:55,336 First, all the skeletons and all the bones 636 00:27:55,360 --> 00:27:58,936 that are in Bari belongs to just one man. 637 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:00,376 - That's huge. - That's huge. 638 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:01,436 Okay check. 639 00:28:01,460 --> 00:28:04,076 Second thing that we have learned 640 00:28:04,100 --> 00:28:06,876 is that we know that this 641 00:28:06,900 --> 00:28:11,476 this... this man died when he was 75 642 00:28:11,500 --> 00:28:13,136 80-years-old. 643 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:15,036 Okay, that's a big check, 644 00:28:15,060 --> 00:28:19,236 because this generally aligns with 645 00:28:19,260 --> 00:28:20,736 - the age of Saint Nicholas. - Yes. 646 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:23,330 So that information checks off some big boxes. 647 00:28:23,860 --> 00:28:25,436 Are you convinced 648 00:28:25,460 --> 00:28:27,836 that these are the remains of Saint Nicholas? 649 00:28:27,860 --> 00:28:29,130 I swear. 650 00:28:31,060 --> 00:28:32,636 You're 100% convinced. 651 00:28:32,660 --> 00:28:33,976 Yes. 652 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:36,336 When you put all of these bones together, 653 00:28:36,360 --> 00:28:38,736 how much of the skeleton is accounted for? 654 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:40,836 Around 80%. 655 00:28:40,860 --> 00:28:43,336 The report by doctor Luigi martino 656 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:46,776 described each and every identifiable bone. 657 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:48,536 Most of the skeleton is here, 658 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:51,476 but a few critical pieces are missing. 659 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:53,576 Among them, the left pubic bone, 660 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:57,176 his right ribcage and left jawbone. 661 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,636 Where do you think the other 20% could reliably be? 662 00:29:00,660 --> 00:29:02,076 Venice, for example. 663 00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:03,530 - Venice? - Venice. 664 00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:07,536 In the year 1100, another expedition of sailors 665 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:11,336 raided the original tomb of Saint Nick in Myra, Turkey, 666 00:29:11,360 --> 00:29:13,336 this time from venice. 667 00:29:13,360 --> 00:29:14,936 And while the sailors from Bari 668 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:16,576 had taken most of the bones. 669 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:20,076 What was left, it is said, was grabbed by the venetians 670 00:29:20,100 --> 00:29:22,336 and taken back to be venerated. 671 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:23,676 So it's possible that 672 00:29:23,700 --> 00:29:26,736 Saint Nicholas is also in venice, could be. 673 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:28,576 If the bones in venice complete 674 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:31,236 the missing 20% of the skeleton in Bari, 675 00:29:31,260 --> 00:29:35,336 it would all but prove that both groups of sailors did in fact, 676 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,176 steal parts from the same skeleton in Myra 677 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:40,976 and that it may well be the real Saint Nick. 678 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:43,736 So I bid arrivederci to doctor introna. 679 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:46,436 And fly 450 miles north 680 00:29:46,460 --> 00:29:49,600 to a place that's literally swimming in history. 681 00:29:59,460 --> 00:30:01,436 Welcome to the floating city. 682 00:30:01,460 --> 00:30:03,636 For a millennium, this was the seat 683 00:30:03,660 --> 00:30:06,536 of one of the world's great maritime powers, 684 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:09,436 a nexus of trade, art, architecture, 685 00:30:09,460 --> 00:30:11,476 and powerful religious forces 686 00:30:11,500 --> 00:30:15,330 that gave rise to one seriously beautiful place. 687 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:21,536 In a world that looks increasingly the same, 688 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:24,676 there truly is no place like venice. 689 00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:27,736 Over a hundred islands clustered in a lagoon, 690 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:31,336 that occasionally rises higher than anyone is comfortable with. 691 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:32,776 There are no cars here. 692 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,076 The only streets are these canals, 693 00:30:35,100 --> 00:30:37,276 which are the city's lifeblood. 694 00:30:37,300 --> 00:30:40,936 Venice is not a charming mix of the old and the new 695 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:44,136 it is old and it is magnificent. 696 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:46,636 Like Bari, venice is a city of sailors. 697 00:30:46,660 --> 00:30:49,136 Saint Nicholas primary fan club. 698 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:51,236 Also like Bari, when the sailors 699 00:30:51,260 --> 00:30:53,836 reportedly brought back some of Saint Nick's remains, 700 00:30:53,860 --> 00:30:57,536 they needed a place to put them, which was right here. 701 00:30:57,560 --> 00:30:59,130 But not so fast. 702 00:31:00,260 --> 00:31:04,076 All right. Well behind me is the church of San nicolo al lido. 703 00:31:04,100 --> 00:31:06,076 But unlike the basilica in Bari, 704 00:31:06,100 --> 00:31:08,436 where I could get within inches of their bones, 705 00:31:08,460 --> 00:31:11,376 access here is much more restricted. 706 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:13,976 So much so that I am actually not allowed 707 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:16,136 to appear on camera inside. 708 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:18,776 But I have received a blessing from on high 709 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:20,476 to send a camera in. 710 00:31:20,500 --> 00:31:22,436 So let's see what they've got. 711 00:31:22,460 --> 00:31:24,030 Okay. I'm rolling. Here we go. 712 00:31:26,700 --> 00:31:29,076 - My director of photography, Evan b. - Stone, 713 00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:31,976 passes through the main doors into the church's interior 714 00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:34,236 for rare filming access. 715 00:31:34,260 --> 00:31:36,076 At the end of the marble lined apps, 716 00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:38,436 his camera spies a high altar 717 00:31:38,460 --> 00:31:40,176 containing a sarcophagus. 718 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:44,336 That reportedly holds the rest of Saint Nicholas remains. 719 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:46,236 A plaque attests to the claim, 720 00:31:46,260 --> 00:31:48,436 and historical sources tell us 721 00:31:48,460 --> 00:31:52,436 that a venetian expedition did, in fact, sail to Myra. 722 00:31:52,460 --> 00:31:55,276 Unfortunately for them, the venetians got to Turkey 723 00:31:55,300 --> 00:31:58,130 13 years behind their rivals from Bari. 724 00:31:59,660 --> 00:32:02,176 According to legend, the venetians hold the monks 725 00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:04,876 guarding the rest of the remains at knife point, 726 00:32:04,900 --> 00:32:09,176 swipe the bones and hightail it back here to venice. 727 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:10,976 But did it really happen? 728 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:14,130 Did they get the remaining bones of Saint Nick? 729 00:32:15,360 --> 00:32:17,676 The answer to those questions is waiting for me 730 00:32:17,700 --> 00:32:20,076 outside the church, down one of the dark, 731 00:32:20,100 --> 00:32:24,536 winding canals of venice at the libreria of aqua alta. 732 00:32:24,560 --> 00:32:27,730 - That's where I'm meeting. - Historian Alessandro trabucco. 733 00:32:30,100 --> 00:32:31,106 Alessandro. 734 00:32:31,130 --> 00:32:32,776 - Hey I'm Josh. - Hello. Nice to meet you, Josh. 735 00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:34,976 Great to meet you. Wow. This place is incredible. 736 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:35,977 Man, this is so beautiful. 737 00:32:36,001 --> 00:32:37,436 This is called high tide library. 738 00:32:37,460 --> 00:32:39,136 And this is a famous bookshop. 739 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:41,076 Here we have in venice. 740 00:32:41,100 --> 00:32:43,636 It's no secret that venice has a flooding problem. 741 00:32:43,660 --> 00:32:47,736 The lagoon, too, routinely rises far above street level. 742 00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:50,876 Aqua alta has come up with a novel solution. 743 00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:53,136 Putting their merchandise in bathtubs. 744 00:32:53,160 --> 00:32:55,736 And even a gondola to protect the books. 745 00:32:55,760 --> 00:32:58,130 When the tide gets extra high. 746 00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:01,336 So we've got a lot of history around us here. 747 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:02,736 Let's talk about some history. 748 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:04,576 I'm here investigating this idea 749 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:06,376 that the bones of Saint Nicholas 750 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:07,836 may be here in venice. 751 00:33:07,860 --> 00:33:09,436 So let's start with this. 752 00:33:09,460 --> 00:33:11,636 How did the get here, supposedly? 753 00:33:11,660 --> 00:33:14,676 So supposedly, they were taken by the venetians. 754 00:33:14,700 --> 00:33:17,236 They arrived there in Myra, in Turkey 755 00:33:17,260 --> 00:33:18,936 in the year 1100. 756 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:19,937 So that's a great story. 757 00:33:19,961 --> 00:33:23,036 The question is, how do we know that it's true? 758 00:33:23,060 --> 00:33:25,076 Since the year 1100 or so 759 00:33:25,100 --> 00:33:27,576 have these bones been studied scientifically? 760 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:30,476 Only once. In 1992, they were removed, 761 00:33:30,500 --> 00:33:33,076 and they were studied by Dr. Luigi martino. 762 00:33:33,100 --> 00:33:36,176 The same guy who studied the bones in Bari in the 50's? 763 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:37,836 Yeah. Yeah, yeah, sure. The same guy. 764 00:33:37,860 --> 00:33:39,836 And so what did martino find? 765 00:33:39,860 --> 00:33:40,930 I show you. 766 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:43,376 This is martino's report? 767 00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:45,576 - This is. - Wow. Look at this. 768 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:47,176 This is what he finds? 769 00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:48,976 Yes. These are the fragments. 770 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:50,636 So this is not at all what I was expecting. 771 00:33:50,660 --> 00:33:52,676 These are like tiny, tiny pieces. 772 00:33:52,700 --> 00:33:53,836 Like a puzzle pieces. 773 00:33:53,860 --> 00:33:55,676 Like puzzle pieces. 774 00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:58,536 Unlike the large specimens in the Bari crypt, 775 00:33:58,560 --> 00:34:01,076 the bones in venice are quite small. 776 00:34:01,100 --> 00:34:02,976 In theory, this makes sense. 777 00:34:03,000 --> 00:34:05,976 After all, these would merely be the leftover fragments 778 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,036 from a crypt already broken into 779 00:34:08,060 --> 00:34:11,276 and trampled on by the sailors from Bari. 780 00:34:11,300 --> 00:34:12,836 So now the million dollar question. 781 00:34:12,860 --> 00:34:15,736 Does the study reveal whether the bone fragments here 782 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:18,636 in venice complement the remains in Bari? 783 00:34:18,660 --> 00:34:20,236 Meaning do they go together? 784 00:34:20,260 --> 00:34:20,877 Yes, they do. 785 00:34:20,901 --> 00:34:23,176 - They do? - They do. 786 00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:25,436 Dr. Martino was able to piece together 787 00:34:25,460 --> 00:34:28,176 the fragmented remains here in venice. 788 00:34:28,200 --> 00:34:29,836 When looked at against the bones 789 00:34:29,860 --> 00:34:31,836 that were studied in the crypt in Bari 790 00:34:31,860 --> 00:34:34,976 something incredible becomes immediately clear. 791 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:39,136 They fit together, almost completing the skeleton. 792 00:34:39,160 --> 00:34:41,736 I mean, this is huge because it means 793 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:43,836 that these are parts of the same individual. 794 00:34:43,860 --> 00:34:46,776 And if sailors from venice and sailors from Bari 795 00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:49,276 grabbed parts of the same individual 796 00:34:49,300 --> 00:34:51,076 from this tomb in Turkey. 797 00:34:51,100 --> 00:34:54,176 It's very likely that it's Saint Nicholas. 798 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:56,360 I mean, it really, probably is him. 799 00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:00,876 - He's here. - He's here. 800 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:02,436 - And in Bari. - And in Bari. 801 00:35:02,460 --> 00:35:04,236 And also in the states. 802 00:35:04,260 --> 00:35:06,000 - Also in the states? - Yes! 803 00:35:06,460 --> 00:35:07,460 Okay. 804 00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:14,436 A part of Saint Nicholas could be in america. 805 00:35:14,460 --> 00:35:15,376 Yes. 806 00:35:15,400 --> 00:35:16,400 How? 807 00:35:20,160 --> 00:35:22,830 Okay. That would be incredible. 808 00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:27,636 This is a twist many churches around 809 00:35:27,660 --> 00:35:29,736 the world claim to have holy relics. 810 00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:31,776 But the idea that a piece of Saint Nick 811 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:36,436 ended up in america, seems farfetched, even for Santa. 812 00:35:36,460 --> 00:35:39,476 Still no stone or bone unturned. 813 00:35:39,500 --> 00:35:41,076 Having revealed that Saint Nick 814 00:35:41,100 --> 00:35:44,636 is almost certainly split between Bari and venice. 815 00:35:44,660 --> 00:35:46,876 Is there really a chance that a piece of him 816 00:35:46,900 --> 00:35:49,430 ended up in Chicago? 817 00:35:53,100 --> 00:35:55,836 Here in the windy city, the temperature is brisk 818 00:35:55,860 --> 00:35:58,136 and Christmas is in the air. 819 00:35:58,160 --> 00:36:00,076 In a way, it's appropriate that my search 820 00:36:00,100 --> 00:36:02,136 for Saint Nicholas should lead here. 821 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:04,736 Because so much of his evolution into Santa 822 00:36:04,760 --> 00:36:07,736 happened right here in the United States. 823 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:09,736 And like all things in america, 824 00:36:09,760 --> 00:36:12,436 Santa turns out to be a bit of a melting pot. 825 00:36:12,460 --> 00:36:14,860 Okay, roll the package while I look for my gloves. 826 00:36:16,860 --> 00:36:18,336 Our new world Christmas 827 00:36:18,360 --> 00:36:21,036 borrows quite a few characters from the old. 828 00:36:21,060 --> 00:36:23,736 The Dutch are the ones who give us the name Santa claus 829 00:36:23,760 --> 00:36:27,336 from their name for Saint Nicholas, sinterklaas. 830 00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:30,576 Elves were common in norse and German mythology. 831 00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:34,636 Over here, we put them to work as free labor in Santa's toy factory. 832 00:36:34,660 --> 00:36:35,776 Speaking of the Germans, 833 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:37,736 their belief that the baby Jesus 834 00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:39,976 or Chris Kendall brings gifts. 835 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:42,576 Gets repurposed as Santa's other alias, 836 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:44,736 kris kringle from England. 837 00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:46,636 Charles dickens's ghost of Christmas present 838 00:36:46,660 --> 00:36:48,736 becomes father Christmas. 839 00:36:48,760 --> 00:36:52,476 A master of ceremonies whenever the season rolls around. 840 00:36:52,500 --> 00:36:54,976 And here in Chicago that season is freezing. 841 00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:56,236 I feel like I'm at the north pole. 842 00:36:56,260 --> 00:36:57,636 Yeah, the north pole. 843 00:36:57,660 --> 00:36:59,336 Back in the mid-19th century, 844 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:01,036 there was a ton of interest 845 00:37:01,060 --> 00:37:03,136 in the ill fated Franklin expedition 846 00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:05,136 to the arctic, and because of that, 847 00:37:05,160 --> 00:37:08,536 pop culture decided to give Santa a magical new home 848 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:10,000 at the north pole. 849 00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:13,236 Then there's the rosetta stone of Christmas, 850 00:37:13,260 --> 00:37:17,176 the 1823 poem, a visit from Saint Nicholas. 851 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:20,176 You know, "'twas the night before Christmas" et cetera, et cetera. 852 00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:22,376 Most of the Santa we know and love 853 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:24,436 is in these 56 lines. 854 00:37:24,460 --> 00:37:27,076 Including the first appearance of his reindeer. 855 00:37:27,100 --> 00:37:28,730 Well, eight of them anyway. 856 00:37:29,260 --> 00:37:30,436 During the civil war. 857 00:37:30,460 --> 00:37:32,436 Artist Thomas nashe uses Santa 858 00:37:32,460 --> 00:37:36,500 as a union symbol, complete with his iconic red suit. 859 00:37:37,100 --> 00:37:38,876 And early in the 20th century, 860 00:37:38,900 --> 00:37:40,436 illustrator haddon sundblom 861 00:37:40,460 --> 00:37:43,836 turned the jolly old elf into a pitchman for Coca cola, 862 00:37:43,860 --> 00:37:45,600 and the image stuck. 863 00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:51,536 The mid west even play s a role in the holiday lore when, in 1939, 864 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:53,776 a copywriter working for the headquarters 865 00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:55,636 of the Montgomery ward department store 866 00:37:55,660 --> 00:38:00,236 right behind me, came up with a stroke of marketing genius, 867 00:38:00,260 --> 00:38:03,836 Robert I. May scribbled a now iconic holiday tale 868 00:38:03,860 --> 00:38:07,136 that introduced the world to Santa's ninth reindeer. 869 00:38:07,160 --> 00:38:10,076 That's right. Rudolph is from Chicago, 870 00:38:10,100 --> 00:38:12,076 and he will not stop talking about it. 871 00:38:12,100 --> 00:38:14,276 We get it. You like horrible pizza 872 00:38:14,300 --> 00:38:15,836 and hot dogs without ketchup. 873 00:38:15,860 --> 00:38:17,030 Enough already. 874 00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:20,076 Despite the city's high profile, 875 00:38:20,100 --> 00:38:22,876 the purported bone of Saint Nick I've come to see 876 00:38:22,900 --> 00:38:25,900 is not in a historic museum or cathedral. 877 00:38:27,600 --> 00:38:30,876 Instead, I make my way to the suburb of Morton grove 878 00:38:30,900 --> 00:38:34,276 and the church, known as the shrine of all saints. 879 00:38:34,300 --> 00:38:36,436 Here to greet me is the shrine's rector 880 00:38:36,460 --> 00:38:39,836 and chief collector, father Dennis O'Neill. 881 00:38:39,860 --> 00:38:41,036 I'm Josh. Nice to meet you. 882 00:38:41,060 --> 00:38:43,136 Hi Josh. I'm Dennis. Welcome to the shrine of all saints. 883 00:38:43,160 --> 00:38:46,176 Thank you so much. This is a really remarkable space. 884 00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:48,836 And when we say the shrine of all saints, 885 00:38:48,860 --> 00:38:50,336 I do see a lot of saints here. 886 00:38:50,360 --> 00:38:51,337 Along the wall. 887 00:38:51,361 --> 00:38:52,836 Yes. There are the relics 888 00:38:52,860 --> 00:38:55,136 of over 3100 different saints. 889 00:38:55,160 --> 00:38:57,600 I'm sorry. It sounded like you said, 3100. 890 00:38:57,800 --> 00:38:58,836 Indeed I did. 891 00:38:58,860 --> 00:39:01,236 How? Ha... ha... how did this come to be? 892 00:39:01,260 --> 00:39:02,237 I collected them. 893 00:39:02,261 --> 00:39:03,436 You personally collected them? 894 00:39:03,460 --> 00:39:04,237 Yes. 895 00:39:04,261 --> 00:39:06,330 Wow. So this is a lifelong mission. 896 00:39:06,960 --> 00:39:08,130 It has been. 897 00:39:09,160 --> 00:39:11,436 Dennis leads me through the collection. 898 00:39:11,460 --> 00:39:14,236 Look at all of this amazing material. 899 00:39:14,260 --> 00:39:17,976 Thousands of relics that he has saved on behalf of the public. 900 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:19,476 From every Saint you can name. 901 00:39:19,500 --> 00:39:21,936 And likely some you can't. 902 00:39:21,960 --> 00:39:23,336 This is a reliquary that belonged 903 00:39:23,360 --> 00:39:25,636 to a Latin patriarch of antioch 904 00:39:25,660 --> 00:39:28,136 it is part of the skull of Saint Barbara, 905 00:39:28,160 --> 00:39:30,776 heel bone of Saint polycarp. 906 00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:33,336 And a right finger bone of Saint ignatius of antioch. 907 00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:34,876 Wow. 908 00:39:34,900 --> 00:39:36,736 There's even one from another of the saints 909 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:37,836 in Nicholas era. 910 00:39:37,860 --> 00:39:41,676 - Saint Helena. - And this is a bone of Saint Helena. 911 00:39:41,700 --> 00:39:43,376 I'm sorry, the Saint Helena? 912 00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:44,736 Mother of constantine. 913 00:39:44,760 --> 00:39:46,436 Mother of the emperor constantine. 914 00:39:46,460 --> 00:39:48,336 This is a foot bone from Saint Helena. 915 00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:49,207 That's right. 916 00:39:49,231 --> 00:39:51,436 But even with a roster like this, 917 00:39:51,460 --> 00:39:53,576 Saint Nick is still the headliner. 918 00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:56,000 And so here he is, the man himself. 919 00:39:56,600 --> 00:39:58,376 That is Saint Nicholas. 920 00:39:58,400 --> 00:40:01,348 This is meant to be a bone from Saint Nicholas. 921 00:40:01,372 --> 00:40:01,736 Yes. 922 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:03,476 - Right in front of us. - Yes, indeed. 923 00:40:03,500 --> 00:40:06,136 So now you're gonna have to do some time traveling with me. 924 00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:07,636 - All right. - We know that. 925 00:40:07,660 --> 00:40:09,436 Nicholas was a bishop in Myra 926 00:40:09,460 --> 00:40:10,676 - and what's now Turkey. - Yes. 927 00:40:10,700 --> 00:40:12,736 - We know his bones were stolen away. - Yes. 928 00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:15,036 Taken to Bari and taken to venice. 929 00:40:15,060 --> 00:40:16,636 - It seems. - Yes. 930 00:40:16,660 --> 00:40:18,076 How does one of those bones end up 931 00:40:18,100 --> 00:40:20,400 in Morton grove, Illinois, of all places? 932 00:40:21,260 --> 00:40:22,836 That's a very good question. 933 00:40:22,860 --> 00:40:25,130 - I'll try to provide an answer. - -Okay. 934 00:40:26,360 --> 00:40:28,836 Father O'Neal explains that he acquired the bone 935 00:40:28,860 --> 00:40:29,876 from church officials, 936 00:40:29,900 --> 00:40:32,736 who in turn got it from a collection in France. 937 00:40:32,760 --> 00:40:34,836 It has been certified as authentic 938 00:40:34,860 --> 00:40:36,336 by the catholic church. 939 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:38,536 And while my instinct is to be skeptical 940 00:40:38,560 --> 00:40:41,236 that a piece of Saint Nick is here in Chicago, 941 00:40:41,260 --> 00:40:43,076 it turns out that this fragment 942 00:40:43,100 --> 00:40:47,036 is from a left pubic bone and that it is a big deal. 943 00:40:47,060 --> 00:40:49,436 According to Dr. Martino's examinations 944 00:40:49,460 --> 00:40:54,530 that exact bone is missing from the remains in both venice and and Bari. 945 00:40:55,160 --> 00:40:58,268 - So that's a big check. - For this being possible. 946 00:40:58,292 --> 00:40:58,676 Yes. 947 00:40:58,700 --> 00:41:02,236 Has this bone been scientifically studied? 948 00:41:02,260 --> 00:41:03,136 Once. 949 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:04,077 Once when? 950 00:41:04,101 --> 00:41:06,236 On November 4th of 2016. 951 00:41:06,260 --> 00:41:07,536 And what was done to it? 952 00:41:07,560 --> 00:41:09,176 Well, let me show you. 953 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:10,336 The gloves, please. 954 00:41:10,360 --> 00:41:11,976 Okay. 955 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:15,500 Father O'Neal gently removes the bone from its reliquary. 956 00:41:19,600 --> 00:41:22,336 If you can see on the top there 957 00:41:22,360 --> 00:41:23,606 a hole has been drilled. 958 00:41:23,630 --> 00:41:26,576 Yes, first of all, I can't believe I'm holding this. 959 00:41:26,600 --> 00:41:29,136 But this was drilled into in 2016. 960 00:41:29,160 --> 00:41:29,748 It was. 961 00:41:29,772 --> 00:41:33,036 But were they able to do any DNA testing on it 962 00:41:33,060 --> 00:41:35,076 to actually determine the individual? 963 00:41:35,100 --> 00:41:36,206 Not yet. 964 00:41:36,230 --> 00:41:38,336 When you say "not yet", does that mean it's being done? 965 00:41:38,360 --> 00:41:39,636 It's about to be done. 966 00:41:39,660 --> 00:41:40,676 - It is? - Yes 967 00:41:40,700 --> 00:41:44,336 so this could settle the question on Saint Nick. 968 00:41:44,360 --> 00:41:45,530 That's right. 969 00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:48,830 - One little bone. - One little bone. 970 00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:51,736 Well, let's test it. 971 00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:53,100 Let's do that. 972 00:41:54,500 --> 00:41:56,976 To get the DNA tested father Dennis and I 973 00:41:57,000 --> 00:42:00,136 head back into the city to the university of Chicago, 974 00:42:00,160 --> 00:42:02,676 where we meet scientists Dr. Georges kazan 975 00:42:02,700 --> 00:42:05,800 and professor Tom high am from the university of Vienna 976 00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:08,836 so what's the... what's the... protocol here? 977 00:42:08,860 --> 00:42:10,776 What we're going to do now is genetic testing. 978 00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:13,236 - Right. - This is going to help us validate further 979 00:42:13,260 --> 00:42:15,476 whether or not this could be Saint Nicholas. 980 00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:18,136 The last few years have seen big explosion. 981 00:42:18,160 --> 00:42:19,776 The science of ancient DNA 982 00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:22,476 it just depends on how much DNA evidence we can extract 983 00:42:22,500 --> 00:42:24,776 as to how much we'll be able to put a flesh 984 00:42:24,800 --> 00:42:26,776 onto the bones of this interesting person. 985 00:42:26,800 --> 00:42:28,436 - So we have our bone here. - -Yes. 986 00:42:28,460 --> 00:42:30,613 You will need a physical sample from this, right? 987 00:42:30,637 --> 00:42:30,936 Yes. 988 00:42:30,960 --> 00:42:32,876 We do need some physical material 989 00:42:32,900 --> 00:42:35,636 to actually extract and amplify the got it. 990 00:42:35,660 --> 00:42:37,176 Got it. All right. 991 00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:39,236 - Father you ready for this? - Absolutely. Yeah. 992 00:42:39,260 --> 00:42:41,176 - Let's see what you can do. - -Thanks, father Dennis. 993 00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:42,776 - That's brilliant. - Let's go down to the lab 994 00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:44,836 here we go. Please. 995 00:42:44,860 --> 00:42:47,836 I hope cutting into Santa's bones won't reflect on me 996 00:42:47,860 --> 00:42:49,676 for this year's naughty or nice list, 997 00:42:49,700 --> 00:42:53,500 because I may be about to end up with a truckload of coal. 998 00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:04,276 Saint Nicholas is famous for performing many miracles, 999 00:43:04,300 --> 00:43:07,436 from saving sailors at sea to protecting children, 1000 00:43:07,460 --> 00:43:09,276 to casting demons out of trees. 1001 00:43:09,300 --> 00:43:11,436 It seems there was nothing he couldn't do. 1002 00:43:11,460 --> 00:43:14,576 And some say those miracles continue to this day 1003 00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:18,076 through healing manna, the mysterious holy liquid, 1004 00:43:18,100 --> 00:43:20,076 that is said to exude from his bones 1005 00:43:20,100 --> 00:43:21,476 since the 4th century. 1006 00:43:21,500 --> 00:43:22,836 And people flock to Bari 1007 00:43:22,860 --> 00:43:26,336 from all over the world to get a venerated vial. 1008 00:43:26,360 --> 00:43:27,536 So here's to Saint Nick. 1009 00:43:27,560 --> 00:43:29,736 May his spirit cure whatever ails you. 1010 00:43:29,760 --> 00:43:31,236 You're not suppose to drink it. 1011 00:43:31,260 --> 00:43:32,600 Wasn't aware of that. 1012 00:43:39,100 --> 00:43:40,800 - Okay, Josh. - Great. 1013 00:43:41,100 --> 00:43:41,807 Come in here. 1014 00:43:41,831 --> 00:43:44,036 So we're going to be going into 1015 00:43:44,060 --> 00:43:46,576 a clean lab to do this work, -okay. 1016 00:43:46,600 --> 00:43:50,536 In an attempt to determine if a bone from a suburban Chicago church 1017 00:43:50,560 --> 00:43:52,676 belongs to Saint Nicholas himself, 1018 00:43:52,700 --> 00:43:54,236 professor Tom high am and I 1019 00:43:54,260 --> 00:43:56,336 are about to collect a sample. 1020 00:43:56,360 --> 00:43:58,636 Since it's critical, we don't contaminate it. 1021 00:43:58,660 --> 00:44:01,376 We need to take some serious precautions. 1022 00:44:01,400 --> 00:44:05,736 We Don sterile gloves, masks, hairnets and booties. 1023 00:44:05,760 --> 00:44:07,576 We even sterilize the gloves. 1024 00:44:07,600 --> 00:44:10,336 Before putting on what's known hilariously 1025 00:44:10,360 --> 00:44:11,830 as a bunny suit. 1026 00:44:13,000 --> 00:44:15,076 All right, we got it. I just need to pee before we start. 1027 00:44:15,100 --> 00:44:16,230 Is that a problem? 1028 00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:21,236 Finally, we're ready to enter the clean room. 1029 00:44:21,260 --> 00:44:25,730 Meanwhile, father Dennis and georges will observe from outside the airlock. 1030 00:44:26,500 --> 00:44:27,736 Hello, father Dennis. 1031 00:44:27,760 --> 00:44:28,507 Georges, how are you? 1032 00:44:28,531 --> 00:44:30,136 Good to see you both. 1033 00:44:30,160 --> 00:44:32,076 This is the ultra clean room. 1034 00:44:32,100 --> 00:44:33,636 We're right in the middle of the lab now. 1035 00:44:33,660 --> 00:44:35,776 - Okay. - Safe enough so that we can open the box 1036 00:44:35,800 --> 00:44:38,636 - and have a look inside. - -Okay, let's check it out. 1037 00:44:38,660 --> 00:44:41,663 I have to say, just being in the presence of this... 1038 00:44:41,687 --> 00:44:42,136 Yeah. 1039 00:44:42,160 --> 00:44:44,876 There is this... this kind of thrill 1040 00:44:44,900 --> 00:44:48,176 that we could actually be holding. 1041 00:44:48,200 --> 00:44:49,836 The remains of Saint Nicholas. 1042 00:44:49,860 --> 00:44:51,336 I know. It's cool. That's amazing. 1043 00:44:51,360 --> 00:44:55,236 It really is. I mean, it's kind of surreal. 1044 00:44:55,260 --> 00:44:56,636 It totally is. I agree. 1045 00:44:56,660 --> 00:44:58,376 - Okay, so? - Yeah. 1046 00:44:58,400 --> 00:45:00,736 Should we try to extract Santa's DNA? 1047 00:45:00,760 --> 00:45:02,400 - Let's do it. - Let's do it. 1048 00:45:07,360 --> 00:45:09,076 Tom carefully cuts into the bone, 1049 00:45:09,100 --> 00:45:11,830 of which we're aiming to take 200 mg 1050 00:45:13,000 --> 00:45:15,136 finding usable DNA in a sample 1051 00:45:15,160 --> 00:45:16,836 this old is a long shot, 1052 00:45:16,860 --> 00:45:20,436 but we're hoping for a holiday miracle. 1053 00:45:20,460 --> 00:45:22,741 All right. Now let's see if I can just pop that official. 1054 00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:26,700 Boom. Look at that perfect. 1055 00:45:27,860 --> 00:45:30,076 Look at that. Absolutely perfect. Nice job. 1056 00:45:30,100 --> 00:45:31,236 Hopefully that will be enough. 1057 00:45:31,260 --> 00:45:32,600 Let's weigh it and see. 1058 00:45:37,000 --> 00:45:38,300 And then it'll be close. 1059 00:45:41,100 --> 00:45:43,236 Yeah, man 208. Perfect. 1060 00:45:43,260 --> 00:45:44,077 208. Yeah. 1061 00:45:44,101 --> 00:45:45,576 Exactly what we wanted. 1062 00:45:45,600 --> 00:45:47,876 - So enough material for you to work with. - It should be yeah. 1063 00:45:47,900 --> 00:45:49,936 - And now the hard work begins. - -Indeed. 1064 00:45:49,960 --> 00:45:51,576 So where is this sample bound for? 1065 00:45:51,600 --> 00:45:53,736 This sample is going back to Austria 1066 00:45:53,760 --> 00:45:54,637 to the university of Vienna. 1067 00:45:54,661 --> 00:45:56,736 - Where ancient DNA lab is. - Okay. 1068 00:45:56,760 --> 00:45:58,876 Well, I'll be waiting by the phone. 1069 00:45:58,900 --> 00:46:00,476 Can't wait to share it with you. 1070 00:46:00,500 --> 00:46:01,936 All the best, man. This is incredible. 1071 00:46:01,960 --> 00:46:03,276 Thanks. 1072 00:46:03,300 --> 00:46:07,736 The sequencing will take up to six weeks to complete, 1073 00:46:07,760 --> 00:46:11,230 so I return to my headquarters for a long winter's nap. 1074 00:46:12,060 --> 00:46:15,076 Sure enough, six weeks later, my inbox pings 1075 00:46:15,100 --> 00:46:17,476 and I received the news from the laboratory. 1076 00:46:17,500 --> 00:46:19,736 The DNA in father Dennis relic 1077 00:46:19,760 --> 00:46:22,830 is too old and damaged to be conclusive. 1078 00:46:24,160 --> 00:46:27,036 However, Tom and georges were able to determine 1079 00:46:27,060 --> 00:46:29,736 that this pubic bone belonged to a man 1080 00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:32,736 who died in about 340 ad. 1081 00:46:32,760 --> 00:46:35,176 In other words, right around when Saint Nicholas 1082 00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:38,900 is believed to have gone to that great toy factory in the sky. 1083 00:46:40,700 --> 00:46:44,036 It is astronomically unlikely that this bone comes 1084 00:46:44,060 --> 00:46:45,576 from the correct time period 1085 00:46:45,600 --> 00:46:47,636 and also perfectly completes 1086 00:46:47,660 --> 00:46:50,936 a missing part of the venice and Bari skeleton. 1087 00:46:50,960 --> 00:46:53,076 That is, unless father Dennis relic 1088 00:46:53,100 --> 00:46:55,000 is, in fact, authentic. 1089 00:46:57,460 --> 00:46:58,606 Like Santa claus. 1090 00:46:58,630 --> 00:47:01,976 I've flown a lot of miles, and on my holiday mission, 1091 00:47:02,000 --> 00:47:05,436 I've discovered the man behind the mythology. 1092 00:47:05,460 --> 00:47:08,536 A remarkable bishop whose life inspired 1093 00:47:08,560 --> 00:47:10,700 traditions that endure today. 1094 00:47:12,500 --> 00:47:15,136 And though Christmas is a season of miracles, 1095 00:47:15,160 --> 00:47:17,236 the deeds of the historical Nick 1096 00:47:17,260 --> 00:47:20,676 are indelibly, unmistakably human. 1097 00:47:20,700 --> 00:47:26,300 A reminder that we should all protect care for and give to one another. 1098 00:47:29,160 --> 00:47:32,436 We've learned that his bones were likely stolen, 1099 00:47:32,460 --> 00:47:34,976 and we can say with strong certainty 1100 00:47:35,000 --> 00:47:38,036 that they reside in two Italian cities. 1101 00:47:38,060 --> 00:47:41,100 And now, we can add Chicago to the list. 1102 00:47:43,760 --> 00:47:46,636 Getting to know the real Saint Nicholas has been an honor 1103 00:47:46,660 --> 00:47:49,136 that I'll carry with me for a lifetime. 1104 00:47:49,160 --> 00:47:51,600 One that I'll remember each time I say, 1105 00:47:52,660 --> 00:47:56,300 merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. 1105 00:47:57,305 --> 00:48:57,604 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm