Saint Nicholas – Handmade Icon – Mount Athos

Description Handmade Icon of Saint Nicholas on a Natural Piece of Wood by Hieromonk Vasileios In this icon, Saint Nicholas is depicted in a strict frontal posture, as an elderly man with a round, short white beard. He blesses with his right hand, while his left hand, covered by the omophorion, holds a closed Gospel decorated with precious stones and various designs. The use of gold leaf in the icon adds a particular aesthetic quality to the work. Saint Nicholas was born in the 3rd century AD in Patara, Lycia, to devout and wealthy parents. He became orphaned at a young age and inherited a large fortune from his parents, which he distributed to help those in need. He later devoted himself to the ascetic life and was eventually honored with the position of Archbishop of Myra. From this position, he took vigorous action to protect the poor and the needy, founding hospitals and various charitable institutions. Blessed with a strong Christian spirit, courage, and vitality, he encouraged Christians persecuted by the Romans, though he himself was persecuted and exiled for his stance. During the persecutions of Diocletian, he endured many tortures. However, when Emperor Constantine ascended to the throne, all Christians were freed, and Nicholas returned to his archbishopric. According to tradition, he was also endowed with the gift of miracles, saving many people both during his life and after his death. He is particularly honored throughout Greece by people of the sea. He is the patron saint of sailors, both the Military and Commercial Navy. Handmade Icon: Features This icon was created by the Athonite iconographer Hieromonk Vasileios. It is entirely hand-painted on a natural piece of wood. The colors used are in line with Byzantine tradition, and the work follows the technique of the Macedonian school, which is adhered to in the workshop of Hieromonk Vasileios. This unique icon has a background of 22-carat gold leaf, and its surface is coated with pure beeswax to ensure the colors remain vibrant over time. The icon is available upon request. Dimensions: 9 x 35.5 x 1 cm