Icon - Nicholas the Wonderworker - Wood - Hand-painted - 25 x 32 cm

Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra, Eastern Europe, 2nd half of the 20th century.

An orthodox icon depicting Saint Nicholas (Saint Nicholas of Myra), after a 16th-century model.

Saint Nicholas was the archbishop of Myra in Lycia (present-day Turkey) in the 3rd–4th centuries CE. He is known as the patron saint of sailors, travelers and students, and for the many miracles attributed to him. His feast day is celebrated on December 6.

The icon shows the saint in full episcopal vestments, with an omophorion over the shoulders – a broad liturgical band that bishops wear as a symbol of their spiritual authority and their duty to lead the faithful. In this case the omophorion is adorned with dark crosses, a traditional element referring to Christ’s sacrifice and the bishop’s responsibility as shepherd of the church. The gold-colored background is typical of icon painting and emphasizes the holy and timeless character of the depiction.