St Nicholas, one of the most revered Christian saints, is thought to have lived in Myra, which is now modern day Turkey.
According to legend he was a wealthy man who was widely known for his generosity – a trait that inspired the story of Father Christmas as a bringer of gifts on Christmas Day.
And scientists now believe they can finally prove a fragment of bone owned by an American priest could indeed be from the legend himself, scientists have said.
Researchers at the University of Oxford radiocarbon tested the relic and found it does date from the correct historical period.
While they cannot categorically prove they are from the Christian saint, the team said the results pinpoint the relic’s age to the fourth century AD.
St Nicholas is said to have died around the year 343.
Professor Tom Higham, director of the Oxford Relics Cluster at Keble College’s Advanced Studies Centre, said: “Many relics that we study turn out to date to a period somewhat later than the historic attestation would suggest.
“This bone fragment, in contrast, suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself.”
Most of Saint Nicolas’ remains have been held in the Basilica di San Nicola, in Bari, Italy, since 1087, where they are buried in a crypt beneath a marble altar.
But over the years fragments have been acquired by churches around the world – with as many as 500 bone fragments believed to be held in Venice.
The bone – a fragment of pelvis which was analysed in Oxford – is owned by Father Dennis O’Neill, of St Martha of Bethany Church, in Illinois, United States.
Dr Georges Kazan, another director of the Oxford Relics Cluster, said: “These results encourage us to now turn to the Bari and Venice relics to attempt to show that the bone remains are from the same individual.
“We can do this using ancient palaeogenomics, or DNA testing.
“It is exciting to think that these relics, which date from such an ancient time, could in fact be genuine.”
But there may never be any way of knowing whether the bones really were from the real St Nicholas.
Professor Higham added: “Science is not able to definitely prove that it is, it can only prove that it is not, however.”