Dept. of Religious Ed. & Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa Program Announce Collaboration

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November 14, 2025
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PHILADELPHIA – In the spirit of giving, the Department of Religious Education (DRE) announced a new collaboration with the Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa Program to present a new seasonal series: the Kids Nativity Series, a special holiday initiative designed to bring the true meaning of Christmas into the hearts and homes of our children and their families everywhere.
This holiday season, the Kids Nativity Series offers 12 short stories that celebrate both the Incarnation of our Lord and the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra. Designed for children, parents, and Sunday School teachers alike, the series connects the Christmas spirit to the meaning of Salvation and the familiar figure of Santa Claus to the real-life saint. Each story offers a meaningful way for children to understand the deeper significance of the holiday, bridging the secular traditions they know with the timeless teachings of the Church.
Families participating in the Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa Program can use the Kids Nativity Series alongside their scheduled calls from “Saint Nicholas.” Parents are encouraged to read the Nativity themed stories with their children before the call. At the same time, the Saint Nicholas stories serve as extraordinary selections for Santas to share during their conversations, creating a truly faith-filled and memorable experience for children. Each story will be available in both English and Greek and can be accessed online: https://shorturl.at/FS0Lx.
Parents and religious educators can request a phone call with Saint Nicholas; calls will take place between December 6 and December 24. To book a call, visit: https://www.stnicholas-tele-santa.com/.
At the heart of this collaboration is a powerful image: The Spirit of Christmas icon, featured within a Christmas ornament and serving as the symbol of the Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa program. The icon depicts the humble and holy Saint Nicholas offering to Santa Claus, the modern figure inspired by him, the Cross of Christ, like an athlete passing a baton to his teammate in a relay. This sacred gesture represents the ongoing sharing of the true Spirit of Christmas— the love of Christ— that continues to be handed down and spread throughout the world. Each act of giving and kindness reenacts the joy of the Nativity, reminding us that the Spirit of Christmas is, at its heart, love.
About the Department of Religious Education (DRE)
The Department of Religious Education (DRE) serves as a leading resource for faith formation, offering tools, programs, and materials to help children, youth, and adults grow in their understanding of Orthodox Christianity. The department strives to nurture the spiritual development of individuals and communities across the Archdiocese.
About the Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa Program
The Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa Program is a free service, in collaboration with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, that brings children closer to the church through a video call from Santa Claus — originally Saint Nicholas of Myra, a priest and bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church. Book a call with Santa online: https://www.stnicholas-tele-santa.com/.
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