St. Nicholas Orthodox Icon

St. Nicholas Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker, the great Orthodox hierarch, intercessor, and quick helper. This version of the icon is calm, clear, and prayerful: it is not heavily decorated, but focuses attention on the face of the saint, his blessing hand, the Gospel, and the gold halo.

Saint Nicholas is shown half-length in episcopal vestments. His right hand is raised in blessing, and in his left hand he holds the Gospel. The icon is painted in a restrained and luminous color harmony: a gold halo, light blue background, red name inscriptions, and warm ocher-red vestments create a strict yet home-like devotional image.

This icon is suitable for a family icon corner, a personal prayer shelf, a child’s room, an office, a chapel, or a church. It is often chosen as a patron saint icon for someone named Nicholas, and also as a family shrine before which people pray for loved ones, children, travel, health, work, and protection of the home.

Features of This Icon

Saint Nicholas is painted in the traditional image of an Orthodox bishop. His face is strict and attentive, yet filled with pastoral kindness. The high forehead, gray hair, short beard, and concentrated gaze make the image immediately recognizable as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The blessing gesture of the right hand recalls his prayerful intercession for people. The Gospel in the left hand is a sign of episcopal ministry, faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, pastoral guidance, and defense of Orthodox truth. Saint Nicholas is venerated not only as a wonderworker, but also as a bishop, teacher of mercy, and servant of the Church.

The vestments are painted in warm red and ocher tones. The white omophorion with crosses emphasizes his episcopal dignity, and the gold pectoral cross on the chest strengthens the sense of church service. The light blue background makes the icon visually calm and uncluttered, so it helps prayerful concentration.

The large gold halo gives the image a clear spiritual center. In Orthodox iconography, gold signifies divine light and heavenly glory, not ordinary decoration. Red inscriptions at the sides identify the saint and complete the restrained composition.

Materials and Technique

The icon is painted on a solid linden board with oak support battens. Linden is traditionally used in icon painting because of its even structure and stability when properly prepared. The board is covered with natural chalk gesso, creating a smooth and durable surface for painting.

The image is painted in egg tempera, a traditional icon-painting technique valued for depth of color, soft transitions, noble matte surface, and durability. The saint’s face, blessing hand, Gospel, vestments, inscriptions, and background are all painted by hand.

The halo is gilded with 23K gold leaf (960 purity). This gives the icon a solemn accent while preserving the quiet and simple character of the image. This version is especially suitable for those who want a clear, prayerful icon of Saint Nicholas without excessive decorative richness.

Full name	Hand-painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker
Saint	Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Iconographic type	Half-length image of the bishop with the Gospel and blessing gesture
Feast days	December 19, May 22, and August 11
Decorative features	Gold halo, light blue background, episcopal vestments, Gospel, blessing gesture, and red name inscriptions
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’s Icon

Saint Nicholas of Myra is venerated as a quick helper in many life circumstances. Orthodox Christians pray to him before travel, during illness, in family troubles, poverty, danger, injustice, anxiety for children, and important decisions.

Before this icon people pray for protection on the road, help for children and their upbringing, family peace, reconciliation, healing, support of the sick, help in need and debts, protection from slander and injustice, and guidance in work and difficult choices. Sailors, drivers, travelers, and people who are often on the road especially ask his intercession.

An icon is not a charm or a magical object. Orthodox prayer before the image of Saint Nicholas is prayer to God through the intercession of the saint. Requests for help should be joined with faith, gratitude, mercy toward others, and the desire to live according to the commandments.

Who This Icon Is Suitable For

An icon of Saint Nicholas is suitable for almost every Orthodox home. It is often chosen as a family shrine because Saint Nicholas is venerated in illness, travel, family needs, financial difficulties, care for children, and protection of loved ones.

As a name-day icon, it is especially suitable for men and boys named Nicholas. It may be given for baptism, a name day, birthday, anniversary, graduation, the beginning of independent life, housewarming, or another important family occasion.

The icon is also appropriate for people connected with travel and responsibility: sailors, drivers, travelers, military men, rescuers, business owners, leaders, and those who often make difficult decisions. Because Saint Nicholas is especially loved as a protector of children, this icon is also suitable for a child’s room or family prayer corner.

Feast Days and Veneration

In Orthodox tradition, several feast days of Saint Nicholas are especially loved. December 19 commemorates the repose of Saint Nicholas. May 22 remembers the translation of his relics to Bari. August 11 is the celebration of the Nativity of Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, lived in the third and fourth centuries and became known for mercy, firm faith, pastoral care, and many miracles. From his youth he sought Christian life, helped the poor, and often gave charity in secret. One of the best-known events from his life is his hidden help to a poor father of three daughters, which is why he is remembered as a defender of families, children, and those in distress.

In Orthodox churches, icons of Saint Nicholas are often among the most venerated images. In many families his icon is passed from generation to generation, accompanying people in travel, family life, raising children, and difficult circumstances.

Why Saint Nicholas Holds the Gospel

Saint Nicholas is shown in episcopal vestments because he was the bishop of Myra in Lycia. The Gospel in his hand points to faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, preaching, pastoral ministry, and the spiritual responsibility of a bishop.

The omophorion with crosses is also connected with episcopal dignity. It is not merely decorative, but a sign of church service. In this icon, the vestments reveal Saint Nicholas as a pastor, teacher, intercessor, and protector of people.

How to Choose the Size

The size 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in) is suitable for a small home icon corner, personal prayer shelf, office, or baptism gift. The size 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in) works well as a universal family or name-day gift. The size 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) makes the face, blessing hand, Gospel, omophorion, and inscriptions easier to see.

The size 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) is suitable for a spacious home, prayer room, chapel, or church. Larger iconostasis sizes are chosen for church interiors where the image must remain readable from a distance and harmonize with other icons.

Blessing and Care

If desired, the icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker may be blessed in church before it is given to the customer or after it is received in the customer’s parish. Blessing helps the icon be received not as a decorative picture, but as a sacred image for prayer and thanksgiving.

A hand-painted icon should be cared for gently. Dust is best removed with a dry soft brush or a dry cloth without pressure. The icon should not be wiped with a wet cloth or placed in direct sunlight, near a heater, humidifier, or sudden temperature changes. Special care should be taken with gilded areas, the halo, inscriptions, and painted surface.

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

Questions and Answers

Who is shown on the St. Nicholas Orthodox Icon?

The icon shows Saint Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, one of the most venerated saints in the Orthodox Church.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before Saint Nicholas’s icon?

People pray for help in travel, protection of children, family peace, healing, support in need, help in difficult choices, and protection from injustice.

Who is this icon suitable for as a name-day icon?

It is especially suitable for men and boys named Nicholas as a patron saint icon for baptism, a name day, birthday, or family gift.

When are the feast days of Saint Nicholas?

The main commemorations are December 19, the repose of Saint Nicholas; May 22, the translation of his relics to Bari; and August 11, the Nativity of Saint Nicholas.

Why is Saint Nicholas shown with the Gospel?

The Gospel points to his episcopal ministry, faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, pastoral instruction, and defense of the Orthodox faith.

What does the blessing gesture of Saint Nicholas mean?

The blessing gesture recalls the saint’s pastoral ministry, his prayerful intercession before God, and his spiritual help to those who ask his prayers.

Is this icon suitable for a home icon corner?

Yes. This calm icon of Saint Nicholas is suitable for a home icon corner, personal prayer shelf, children’s room, office, chapel, or church.

What sizes are available?

The 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 sizes can be made by agreement.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board with oak support battens, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera, and 23K gold leaf (960 purity) on the halo.

How should a hand-painted icon of Saint Nicholas be cared for?

Keep the icon away from moisture, direct sunlight, heaters, and sudden temperature changes. Dust should be removed with a soft dry brush or dry cloth without pressure, especially on gilded areas.