Monday, December 4th

In some Czech villages, St Nicholas leads a parade with the devil and grim reaper in tow

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through the village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wear home-made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

LIDECKO, Czech Republic (AP) - In an eastern corner of the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas leads a procession of followers dressed in grim reaper and devil costumes on a journey through the village of Lidecko.

The old pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in just a few villages in the region known as Wallachia.

Several groups parade together, going door to door for three days. St. Nicholas presents the children with sweets to soothe them after they see the scary costumes. The devils wear homemade masks made of sheepskin and travel with white, scythe-carrying creatures that represent death.

The custom reportedly dates from the pagan era before Christianity, when the masks helped the mountainous region's inhabitants defend themselves against the demons of winter.

St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop in the ancient town of Myra who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries and was known for his goodness and generosity. He is said to have inspired the creation of Santa Claus.

Revelers prepare for a traditional St. Nicholas procession near the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting the devil takes part in a traditional St Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers depicting devils take part in a traditional St Nicholas procession near the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through the village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting the devil rests during a traditional St Nicholas procession near the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler carrying a scythe takes part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting devil takes part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting a devil kicks a ball before a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers depicting devils play with a ball before a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting a devil takes part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers depicting the devil hold a stick during a traditional St Nicholas procession near the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting the devil holds a stick during a traditional St. Nicholas procession near the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting the devil rests during a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A reveler depicting death takes part in a traditional St Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Revelers take part in a traditional St. Nicholas procession in the village of Lidecko, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. This pre-Christmas tradition has survived for centuries in a few villages in the eastern part of the country. The whole group parades through village for the weekend, going from door to door. St. Nicholas presents the kids with sweets. The devils wearing home made masks of sheep skin and the white creatures representing death with scythes frighten them. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)