St Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthodox Icon

The St Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted image of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the great bishop, merciful intercessor, and quick helper in many difficult circumstances. In Russian Orthodox devotion he is also lovingly called Nicholas the Pleaser of God, a name that reflects his righteous life and his closeness to those who ask for help.

Saint Nicholas is shown waist-length, in episcopal vestments, with his right hand raised in blessing and the Gospel held in his left hand. A large gold halo, relief gilded background, white omophorion with crosses, and light ornamental borders with colored accents give the icon a solemn and festive character, while the composition remains clear and prayerful.

This icon is suitable for a home icon corner, personal prayer shelf, family prayer space, child’s room, office, church, or chapel. It is also a meaningful named icon for someone called Nicholas and a family holy image before which people pray for loved ones, travel, health, work, children, and protection of the home.

Features of the St Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthodox Icon

In this icon, Saint Nicholas is presented in the traditional image of an Orthodox bishop. His high forehead, gray hair, short beard, and calm attentive gaze correspond to the recognizable iconography of Saint Nicholas of Myra. The face combines pastoral firmness, spiritual recollection, and the gentle mercy of a saint whom believers approach as a close intercessor.

The right hand of the saint is folded in a blessing gesture. The left hand holds the Gospel, an important sign of episcopal ministry, faithfulness to the teaching of Christ, and pastoral instruction. This detail shows Saint Nicholas not only as a saint asked for help in daily needs, but also as a bishop of the Church, a guardian of Orthodox faith, and a teacher of mercy.

The episcopal garments are written in rich red, greenish, white, and golden tones. The white omophorion with crosses emphasizes the rank of Saint Nicholas as a bishop, while the ornamental details of the vestments add solemnity. The contrast between the gilded background and the red vestment makes the figure readable even in smaller sizes.

The background and borders are decorated with relief gilded ornament. Around the head of the saint is a large gold halo with a fine decorative edge. The light ornamental borders with colored accents give the icon a refined gift character, while the lower part of the composition and the inscriptions clearly identify the image as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Iconography: Gospel, Omophorion, and Blessing

Saint Nicholas is shown in episcopal vestments because he was Bishop of Myra in Lycia. The omophorion with crosses is one of the main signs of episcopal rank. It is not simply a decorative part of the clothing; it points to pastoral service, spiritual responsibility, and prayerful care for people.

The Gospel in the saint’s hand recalls his faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, his defense of Orthodox faith, and his preaching of evangelical mercy. The blessing hand points to the saint’s prayerful intercession before God and to the spiritual help given to the faithful.

Even in a waist-length composition, the image has deep theological meaning. Saint Nicholas is presented not only as a wonderworker and helper, but also as an archpastor, teacher of faith, and merciful protector.

Materials, Gilding, and Custom Execution

The icon is made on a solid linden board with oak support splines. Linden is traditionally used in icon painting because of its even structure and good preparation for gesso. Oak splines strengthen the board and help preserve its shape as humidity and temperature change.

The board is covered with natural chalk gesso, creating a durable and smooth surface for painting. The image is painted in egg tempera, a traditional iconographic technique valued for depth of color, noble matte surface, and long life.

For the halo, background, and decorative border, the icon uses 23K gold leaf (960 purity). In this image the gilding has an important compositional role: it frames the saint, strengthens the solemnity of the icon, and creates a luminous prayerful space around the figure.

For an individual order, the size, degree of gilding, character of the relief ornament, tone of the borders, color accents, inscriptions, and overall decorative solution may be discussed before painting. The icon may be made in home formats or in larger church and iconostasis sizes.

Icon Characteristics

Icon name	St Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthodox Icon
Saint	Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Also known as	Nicholas the Pleaser of God, in Russian Orthodox devotion
Iconographic type	Waist-length bishop saint with Gospel and blessing gesture
Feast days	December 19, May 22, August 11
Decorative features	Relief gilded background, large gold halo, episcopal vestments, white omophorion with crosses, Gospel, blessing hand, ornamental borders with colored accents
Materials	Linden board, oak support splines, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera
Gold	23K gold leaf (960 purity) on the halo, background, and ornamental decoration
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); larger church and iconostasis sizes by agreement

Choosing the Size

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 may be ordered by agreement.

The 17×21 cm format is suitable for a small prayer shelf, home icon corner, child’s room, office, or baptism gift. The 20×24 cm size is a versatile choice for a named icon or family gift: it remains compact, while the saint’s face and main details are clearly readable.

The 27×31 cm size gives the icon more presence. The face of Saint Nicholas, the blessing hand, Gospel, white omophorion, inscriptions, gilded ornament, and relief background become more expressive. The 30×40 cm format is suitable for a spacious home, family prayer area, chapel, or church.

What People Pray for Before Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is honored as a quick helper in many different circumstances. Orthodox Christians ask his intercession before travel, during illness, in anxiety for children, in family troubles, financial need, danger, injustice, and moments when an important decision must be made.

People pray before this icon for protection on journeys, business trips, moves, and long roads; for the health and well-being of children; for family peace and reconciliation; for healing of the sick and consolation of the sorrowful; for help in debt, poverty, and difficult life circumstances; for protection from slander and unfair treatment; and for sailors, drivers, travelers, and all who are often on the way.

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, participation in the life of the Church, and a desire to live according to the commandments.

Who This Icon Is For

The icon of Saint Nicholas is appropriate for almost any Orthodox home. It is often chosen as a family holy image because Saint Nicholas is venerated in illness, travel, family needs, care for children, and protection of loved ones. This more festive version is especially suitable when a solemn hand-painted icon is desired for a gift, family icon corner, church, or chapel.

As a named icon, it is especially fitting for men and boys named Nicholas. It may be given for baptism, a name day, a birthday, an anniversary, graduation, the beginning of independent life, a house blessing, or a family celebration. It is also a meaningful gift from parents to a son, from a wife to a husband, or from children to a father or grandfather.

The image is often chosen for people connected with travel, responsibility, and care for others: sailors, drivers, travelers, soldiers, rescuers, doctors, business owners, managers, and those who regularly make difficult decisions.

Feast Days of Saint Nicholas

Several feast days of Saint Nicholas are especially honored in Orthodox tradition. December 19 commemorates the repose of Saint Nicholas. May 22 commemorates the translation of his relics to Bari. August 11 is the Nativity of Saint Nicholas.

These dates may be considered when choosing the icon as a gift for a name day, baptism, birthday, family celebration, or thanksgiving offering. If the icon is ordered for a specific date, it is best to plan in advance because a hand-painted icon requires time for board preparation, gesso, gilding, painting, inscriptions, ornament, and final finishing.

Brief Life of Saint Nicholas of Myra

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, lived in the third and fourth centuries. He became known for mercy, firm faith, pastoral care, and many miracles. From youth he sought a Christian life, helped those in need, and often performed good works secretly, without seeking human praise.

One of the best-known episodes from his life is his help to a poor father of three daughters. Saint Nicholas secretly gave the family money to save the daughters from misery. This act became a lasting sign of his compassion and care for people in desperate circumstances.

As a bishop, Saint Nicholas was both a kind shepherd and a defender of the Orthodox faith. In his image, the firmness of a confessor, the mercy of a father, and the readiness to come quickly to help are united. This is why his icon is so often found in Orthodox homes and churches.

Blessing and Care

The icon of Saint Nicholas may be blessed in church before it is given, or after it is received in your parish. A blessed icon is approached not as a decorative picture, but as a holy image for prayer, thanksgiving, and turning to God through the intercession of the saint.

A hand-painted icon should be treated carefully. Dust may be removed with a dry soft brush or dry soft cloth, without pressure. The icon should not be wiped with a wet cloth or placed in direct sunlight, near a heater, humidifier, or a source of sudden temperature changes. Gilded areas, relief ornament, inscriptions, and the painted surface should be handled especially gently.

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 the Wonderworker Orthodox Icon?

The icon shows Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, one of the most beloved saints of the Orthodox Church. In Russian devotion he is also known as Nicholas the Pleaser of God.

Why is Saint Nicholas called the Pleaser of God?

This name reflects his special veneration as a saint who pleased God through righteous life, mercy, faithfulness, and loving care for people in distress.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

They pray for protection in travel, help for children, family peace, healing, deliverance from need, support in difficult circumstances, and protection from injustice.

For whom is this icon suitable as a named icon?

It is especially suitable for men and boys named Nicholas, and it can be given for baptism, a name day, a birthday, or another family occasion.

What 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 hand mean?

The blessing hand recalls the pastoral service of Saint Nicholas and his prayerful intercession before God for those who seek help.

What sizes are available?

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 discussed individually.

What materials are used for the icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board with oak support splines, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera, and 23K gold leaf (960 purity), with a relief gilded background and ornamental borders.

How should this hand-painted icon be cared for?

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