Icon of Saint Nicholas

Icon of Saint Nicholas is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. Saint Nicholas is one of the most beloved saints in the Christian world and is venerated as a merciful intercessor, protector of travelers, helper of families and children, and a bishop faithful to the Gospel.

In this icon Saint Nicholas is shown waist-length, in episcopal vestments, holding the Gospel in his left hand and blessing with his right hand. A large gold halo, a calm light background, red vestments with ornament, a pale omophorion with crosses, and small images of Christ and the Mother of God at the sides make the image solemn, clear, and immediately recognizable.

Icon for Home and Prayer

This icon is suitable for a home icon corner, a family prayer space, a child’s room, a study, a church, a chapel, or an iconostasis row. It is often chosen as a name-day icon for someone named Nicholas, or as a gift for baptism, a birthday, a wedding, a house blessing, a jubilee, or an important family occasion.

Before this icon, Orthodox Christians pray for help in travel, protection of children and family, health, reconciliation, deliverance from misfortune, wise guidance, and a peaceful resolution of difficult matters.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas lived in the third and fourth centuries and served as Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. From his youth he was known for mercy, love for God, and care for those in need. One of the best-known traditions tells how he secretly helped a poor family, saving three daughters from disgrace by providing what they needed for marriage.

As a bishop, Saint Nicholas cared for his flock, defended the innocent, helped travelers, comforted the sorrowful, and stood against falsehood. In the memory of the Church he remains both a strict defender of the faith and a deeply merciful saint who hears human sorrow and hastens to help.

Gospel, Omophorion, and Blessing

The Gospel in Saint Nicholas’s hand points to his episcopal ministry and faithfulness to Christ’s teaching. He is not shown as an independent wonderworker apart from the Church, but as a bishop, pastor, and witness of the Gospel. The book reminds the viewer that true help is always connected with God’s truth, mercy, repentance, and Christian life.

The omophorion with crosses is one of the main signs of a bishop. It speaks of pastoral responsibility, prayerful care for people, and the bishop’s calling to carry the lost sheep on his shoulders in the image of the Good Shepherd.

The blessing hand shows Saint Nicholas as a hierarch and heavenly intercessor. The gesture is turned toward the one who prays, making the icon feel close and personal.

Christ and the Mother of God at the Sides

Small images of Christ and the Mother of God are placed beside Saint Nicholas. In the iconographic tradition they emphasize that the saint’s episcopal service is carried out before Christ and under the protection of the Theotokos.

These details also distinguish the icon from a simple portrait. They make the composition more theological and show Saint Nicholas as a bishop of the Church, a servant of Christ, and a guardian of Orthodox faith.

Visual Character of the Icon

The waist-length composition makes the icon clear and suitable for prayer. Attention is focused on the face of Saint Nicholas, the Gospel, the blessing gesture, the episcopal vestments, and the symbolic details. The frontal and calm arrangement allows the image to read well in smaller sizes as well as in larger church formats.

The face is written with seriousness and attention. White hair and beard, a deep gaze, restrained expression, and a large gold halo convey the image of a spiritual father, pastor, and intercessor. The red vestment, light omophorion, warm gold, and soft background create a festive but not overloaded appearance.

Prayer Before Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas is often called a quick helper because his memory is connected with mercy, protection, and support in many human needs. Orthodox Christians pray to him for safe journeys, the protection of children and parents, health, peace between relatives, help in hardship, honest decisions, wisdom, and guidance.

An Orthodox icon is not a charm that protects without prayer and faith. Prayer before Saint Nicholas’s icon is an appeal to God through the saint’s intercession. The image helps the believer remember mercy, responsibility, honesty, compassion, and trust in God’s help.

Feast Days of Saint Nicholas

In the Russian Orthodox calendar tradition, major commemorations of Saint Nicholas include December 19, the day of his repose; May 22, the transfer of his relics to Bari; and August 11, the feast of his nativity.

These dates may be considered when choosing a name-day icon, baptismal gift, family icon, or church donation. If the icon is intended for a specific feast or celebration, it is best to allow enough time for hand preparation, painting, gilding, inscriptions, drying, and finishing.

Materials and Hand-Painted Work

The icon is painted on a solid linden wood board strengthened with oak splines. The surface is prepared with natural chalk gesso. Egg tempera is used for the painting, allowing the icon painter to convey the face, white hair and beard, red episcopal vestments, light omophorion, Gospel, blessing hand, and the small images at the sides.

Gold leaf is used on the halo and borders. Since each icon is painted by hand, small differences in the expression, inscriptions, vestment ornament, background tone, gilding, and decorative details are natural and show the individuality of hand-painted work.

Available Sizes

This icon is available in 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Larger church and iconostasis sizes can be made by individual agreement.

The 17×21 cm size is suitable for a small prayer shelf, personal corner, child’s room, study, or compact name-day gift. The 20×24 cm format is a balanced home size. The 27×31 cm and 30×40 cm sizes are appropriate for a family icon corner, spacious home, chapel, church, or solemn gift.

Free international shipping is included. Payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Care for the Icon

A hand-painted icon should be protected from moisture, direct sunlight, heaters, humidifiers, kitchen steam, and sudden temperature changes. Do not use water, alcohol, sprays, or household cleaners.

Dust may be removed with a dry soft brush or dry soft cloth, without pressure. Be especially careful with the gilded halo, borders, inscriptions, Gospel, and painted surface.

Icon Characteristics

Name	Icon of Saint Nicholas
Saint	Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Iconographic type	Waist-length image of a holy bishop with Gospel and blessing hand
Feast days	December 19, May 22, August 11
Visual details	Gold halo, episcopal vestments, omophorion with crosses, Gospel, blessing gesture, small images of Christ and the Mother of God
Materials	Linden wood board, oak splines, chalk gesso, egg tempera, gold leaf
Available sizes	17×21 cm, 20×24 cm, 27×31 cm, 30×40 cm; larger iconostasis sizes by agreement

Questions and Answers

Who is shown on this icon of Saint Nicholas?

The icon shows Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, also known in Orthodox devotion as Nicholas the God-pleaser.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

They ask for help in travel, protection of the family, health, reconciliation, support for children, deliverance from misfortune, wise guidance, and help in difficult matters.

Who may receive this icon as a name-day icon?

It is especially suitable for men and boys named Nicholas as an icon of their heavenly patron, and may be given for baptism, a name day, birthday, or jubilee.

When is Saint Nicholas commemorated?

Major commemorations of Saint Nicholas include December 19, May 22, and August 11 in the Russian Orthodox calendar tradition.

What does the Gospel in Saint Nicholas’s hand mean?

The Gospel points to his episcopal ministry, faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, pastoral wisdom, and care for the faithful.

What does the blessing hand mean?

The blessing hand shows Saint Nicholas as a bishop and heavenly intercessor to whom believers turn in prayer for help and protection.

Why are Christ and the Mother of God shown at the sides?

The small images of Christ and the Mother of God emphasize Saint Nicholas’s episcopal ministry and connect the icon with the Church’s tradition about him.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is made on a linden wood board with oak splines, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera, and gold leaf on the halo and borders.

What sizes are available?

The available sizes are 17×21 cm, 20×24 cm, 27×31 cm, and 30×40 cm. Larger church and iconostasis sizes can be made by individual agreement.

How should this hand-painted icon be cared for?

Keep it away from moisture, direct sunlight, heat, and sudden temperature changes. Dust it gently with a dry soft brush or cloth, especially around the gilded areas.