St. Nicholas Icon

St. Nicholas Icon is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, also known in Russian Orthodox tradition as Nicholas the Pleasant. This is a classic canonical image of one of the most beloved saints in the Orthodox world: a quick helper, protector of the poor, comforter of the grieving, and patron of travelers.

Saint Nicholas is shown half-length in episcopal vestments. He wears a richly ornamented red phelonion and a blue omophorion with large crosses. In his left hand he holds the open Gospel, the sign of Christ’s truth and of his ministry as bishop of Myra in Lycia. His right hand is raised in blessing.

The bright colors of mineral egg tempera are set against a full background of 23K gold leaf (960 purity), which symbolizes divine light and heavenly glory. A distinctive feature of this icon is the presence of Christ and the Mother of God in clouds beside Saint Nicholas, referring to the traditional account known as the Miracle of Nicaea.

Iconographic Feature: The Miracle of Nicaea

On the gold background, two small figures appear in clouds. Christ is shown giving the Gospel to Saint Nicholas, and the Mother of God is shown giving him the omophorion. This composition refers to the well-known traditional account connected with the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325.

According to the life of Saint Nicholas, the saint reacted with holy zeal against the blasphemy of Arius. Because of this, the other bishops deprived him of episcopal dignity and placed him under guard. Yet that night a vision was given: the Lord Jesus Christ restored the Gospel to Nicholas, and the Mother of God returned the omophorion. Seeing that his zeal had been accepted by God, the bishops restored him to his rank.

This detail gives the icon special theological depth. Saint Nicholas is not shown merely as a kind helper in everyday needs, but as a bishop and defender of the Orthodox faith, whose mercy and firmness are joined in service to Christ.

Materials and Mstyora Technique

This icon is created according to the traditions of the Mstyora school of icon painting. The wooden base is a carefully dried linden board strengthened with oak support battens. The front side is prepared with cloth and several layers of natural chalk gesso, polished to a smooth surface for painting and gilding.

The painting is made in mineral egg tempera. Natural pigments such as ochers, cinnabar tones, and blue mineral colors are bound with egg emulsion. This traditional technique gives the icon depth, clarity, and durability.

The background and halos are covered with natural 23K gold leaf (960 purity), polished by hand. The use of real gold, not imitation metal leaf, gives the image a warm and solemn brilliance while preserving the prayerful character of the icon.

Full name	Hand-painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker
Saint	Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, also called Nicholas the Pleasant
Iconographic type	Half-length bishop with the Gospel, blessing gesture, Christ and the Mother of God in clouds
Technique	Mineral egg tempera on natural gesso, with 23K gold leaf (960 purity)
Decorative features	Full gold background, detailed episcopal vestments, open Gospel, and the Miracle of Nicaea composition
Available sizes	17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in), with larger church sizes by agreement

What People Pray For Before Saint Nicholas

In Russian Orthodox devotion, Saint Nicholas is often called Nicholas the Pleasant, emphasizing that he pleased God by his mercy, faith, and holy life. There is no mechanical rule about what one may ask from a particular saint, yet Orthodox tradition remembers many areas where Saint Nicholas’s help is especially sought.

People pray to him for protection in travel, safety from accidents and storms, healing from serious bodily and spiritual illness, help in poverty and debt, family peace, protection of children, guidance in difficult choices, and defense from false accusation, injustice, and ruin.

Saint Nicholas is also remembered for helping a poor father provide for his daughters, so families often ask his intercession for daughters, marriage, and the protection of young people. Sailors, drivers, travelers, military men, and rescuers also commonly choose his icon for prayerful protection.

Who This Icon Is Suitable For

An icon of Saint Nicholas is one of the most universal Orthodox gifts. If a person does not know which icon to choose for a believing family, Saint Nicholas is almost always a fitting and welcome image. It is appropriate for a home icon corner, baptism, wedding, name day, housewarming, birthday, or thanksgiving gift.

This icon is especially suitable for men and boys named Nicholas. It is also a meaningful gift for people whose work or life involves risk and travel: drivers, sailors, pilots, military men, rescuers, and those who are often on the road.

Feast Days of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas is commemorated several times in the Orthodox calendar. December 19 is the day of his repose. May 22 commemorates the translation of his relics from Myra in Lycia to Bari in 1087. August 11 is the Nativity of Saint Nicholas.

In addition, every Thursday in the weekly liturgical cycle is connected with the apostles and Saint Nicholas. If the icon is ordered for one of these feast days, it is best to plan ahead, because a hand-painted icon requires time for the board, gesso, painting, gilding, and final protection.

How to Choose the Size

The size 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in) is a compact icon suitable for a small prayer shelf, bedroom, office, or travel-related gift. The size 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in) is a classic home icon format. The sizes 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) look more solemn and allow the painter to show the face, vestments, Gospel text, and the figures of Christ and the Mother of God in greater detail.

Larger church and iconostasis sizes can be made by individual agreement. These are suitable for spacious homes, chapels, parish interiors, or as a generous donation to a church.

Blessing and Care

If desired, the icon may be blessed in church before delivery, or it may be blessed later in the customer’s own parish. Blessing helps the icon be received not as a decorative object, but as a sacred image for prayer.

A hand-painted icon should be protected from dampness, direct sunlight, heaters, and sudden changes in temperature. Dust should be removed only with a soft dry cloth or a very soft brush. Wet wipes, chemical cleaners, and abrasive materials should not be used.

Ordering and Shipping

Available sizes are 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. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Questions and Answers

Why is Saint Nicholas called the Wonderworker and Nicholas the Pleasant?

He is called the Wonderworker because of the many miracles associated with his life and intercession. In Russian Orthodox usage, Nicholas the Pleasant means that by his holy life, mercy, and faith he pleased God.

Who is this icon suitable for as a gift?

This icon is a universal Orthodox gift for baptism, wedding, name day, housewarming, and family prayer. It is especially suitable for travelers, sailors, drivers, and men named Nicholas.

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

The open Gospel points to his episcopal ministry as bishop of Myra in Lycia and to his defense of the true Christian teaching.

Who is shown beside Saint Nicholas in the clouds?

Christ is shown giving the Gospel, and the Mother of God is shown giving the omophorion. This refers to the traditional account of the Miracle of Nicaea and the restoration of Saint Nicholas’s episcopal dignity.

Is real gold used on this icon?

Yes. The background and halo are made with natural 23K gold leaf (960 purity), applied by hand according to traditional gilding methods.

Will the colors fade over time?

The icon is painted in mineral egg tempera made with natural pigments. With proper care, this technique preserves color depth and brightness for many years.

What do Orthodox Christians pray to Saint Nicholas for most often?

People pray for protection during travel, healing, help in poverty, family peace, protection of children, a good marriage for daughters, and defense from injustice.

How should this hand-painted icon be cared for?

Keep the icon away from dampness, direct sunlight, heaters, and sudden temperature changes. Dust should be removed only with a soft dry cloth or brush.

Can the icon be blessed before delivery?

Yes. The icon can be blessed in church before it is given to the customer, or it may be blessed later in the customer’s own parish.

Can this icon be ordered in a custom size?

Yes. In addition to 17×21 cm, 20×24 cm, 27×31 cm, and 30×40 cm, larger church and iconostasis sizes can be made by individual agreement.