KIDPROJ MCC: St. Martinus // Sint Maarten

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St. Martinus // Sint Maarten - The Netherlands
by R. Uittenbroek

11 November

Sint Maarten's Day

History:

On 11 November 401 died the bishop of the French city Tours, Saint Martinus. Sint Martinus was famed for his great love for the poor, the children and the people in need. As much as he could he tried to help others. In his early days, saint Martinus was a soldier in the Roman army. On a cold day in the middle of the winter he was riding on a horse heading for home. When he arrived at the city-gate, there was a naked beggar, almost frozen to death, who asked for a penny. Maarten felt so sorry for this man, that he cut his cape in 2 pieces, and gave one half to the beggar. The next night, Maarten had a strange dream. In that dream, Jesus emerged, wearing a half cape, which he gave to a beggar.

From that moment, Maarten didn't want to be a soldier anymore but he wanted to devote his life to Christ and God. He became a monk and after that bishop. He was so loved by the people that after his death his name has never been forgotten. Many churches in the Netherlands are named after him, like the Martinikerk in Groningen. Also my school is named after him (Saint Maartens College).

Saint Martinus earned his fame with the beggar affair. 11 November, the day he died, is the day when ten thousands of children every year again, sing about him when they walk with their Chinese-lanterns by the houses and ask for an apple or pear.

Celebration:

On most places Sint-Maarten is celebrated like this: When the sun goes down, and it becomes dark, children walk with their lanterns by the houses and by singing a song they try to gather as much candy as they can.. But.. in Limburg (the southern part of Holland) Sint-Maarten sometimes rides on a horse trough the streets, followed by many children with lanterns. In other parts of Limburg people make Sint-Maarten-fires. Then they walk from the village to the fire-place with their lanterns.

This is alot of info about Sint-Maarten (I hope).. but most of all, it is just a great day for kids.. because they really gets loads of candy ;)

Robbert Uittenbroek
<parwanto@worldaccess.nl>

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