Icon Of Saint Nicholas 19th Century

According to tradition, the saint was Bishop of Myra and is said to have lived in the 4th century. There are traces of a cult on his sarcophagus in the Basilica of Myra since the 6th century. Above all, the liquid secreted by the tomb, considered to have healing properties, was the reason for pilgrimages. In 1087, the bones of the saint were stolen by Italian merchants and brought to Bari. A large pilgrimage church was built here in honor of the saint. His many patronages and the customs that have developed over the centuries and are still practiced today in European countries, keep the memory of the Bishop of Myra alive. Over time, many legends have developed around the saint. His particular kindness and willingness to help certainly have a historical core. Most of the legends are late Byzantine or medieval Western.

About the iconography: Of the approximately twelve thousand saints of the Orthodox Church, Saint Nicholas is the most frequently depicted. He was a particular healer of the sick. The saint was never missed by any Orthodox family. He is also the patron saint of sailors, merchants and farmers. The Orthodox Church celebrates his birthday on December 6 and May 9, the date on which his remains were transported to Bari.

Description: The saint is depicted as a bishop. His right hand is raised in blessing, in his left he holds an open Gospel book on which the beginning of the Gospel of Saint Nicholas is written in Church Slavonic.

"At that time Jesus gathered a great multitude from all Judea..."

Christ and the Mother of God are depicted in the round halos on the right and left, taken from the legend of Arius.

At the top the titulus: "Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker"

Attribution: The presented icon, executed in so-called egg tempera painting, comes from the hand of an iconographer from South Russia from around 1840 - 60 century. The painting is in good condition, colored atmospheres on the border and halo, vertical crack.
A quality house icon!
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