St. Nicholas Wonderworker Icon

St. Nicholas Wonderworker Icon is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas the Pleasant, also known as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. This is a richly decorated image in which strict Orthodox iconography is joined with fine ornamental work, hand-tooled gold, and cold enamel-style border painting.

Saint Nicholas is shown half-length. In his left hand he holds the open Gospel, the symbol of Christ’s truth and of his service as bishop. His right hand is raised in episcopal blessing. The face of the saint is painted with warmth and spiritual depth: firmness of faith, readiness to defend truth, and fatherly mercy are all present in the image.

The saint wears bright episcopal vestments: a red phelonion richly ornamented with gold details and a white omophorion with dark crosses. These vestments are painted in mineral egg tempera with careful attention to folds, color, and small decorative elements.

Hand-Tooled Gold and Cold Enamel-Style Ornament

The distinctive feature of this icon is its luxurious decorative finish. The background around the figure of Saint Nicholas and the halo are covered with 23K gold leaf (960 purity). Over the gold, the master works a fine relief ornament by hand, so the surface catches light and creates a living, dimensional glow.

The wide borders are decorated with a complex multicolored ornament in emerald, deep blue, red, and gold tones. This cold enamel-style painting visually recalls old precious oklads with cloisonne enamel. The result is not only a prayer image, but also a family heirloom meant to be kept for many years.

Traditional Materials and Mstyora Technique

The icon is painted on a solid linden board. Linden is used because it is stable, even in structure, and suitable for traditional icon painting. Oak support battens are inserted on the back to help protect the board from warping.

The front of the board is covered with cloth and several layers of natural chalk gesso. The surface is polished until it becomes smooth enough for painting and gilding. The face and vestments are painted in mineral egg tempera, made from natural pigments bound with egg yolk.

Gilding is made with natural 23K gold leaf (960 purity). After the cold enamel-style ornament is painted, the icon is protected with a finishing lacquer appropriate for hand-painted icons.

Full name	Hand-painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Nicholas the Pleasant with enamel-style ornament
Saint	Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Iconographic type	Half-length bishop with the Gospel and blessing gesture
Painting	Mineral egg tempera on natural gesso
Decoration	23K gold leaf (960 purity), hand-tooled gold, and cold enamel-style ornament on the borders
Available sizes	13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 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), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in), with larger church and iconostasis sizes by agreement

What People Pray For Before Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas is one of the most beloved intercessors in the Orthodox Church. People pray to him in travel, illness, family trouble, poverty, danger, and injustice. He is especially loved because his help is remembered as quick, concrete, and merciful.

Before this icon people pray for safe journeys, protection from accidents, help for sailors, drivers, pilots, and travelers, healing in serious illness, successful treatment or surgery, peace in the family, reconciliation of spouses, protection of children, guidance in raising children, help in debt and financial hardship, and defense from slander or unjust judgment.

Orthodox prayer before an icon is not magic and the icon is not a talisman. The faithful ask God for mercy through the intercession of Saint Nicholas, joining their requests with repentance, gratitude, mercy toward others, and participation in church life.

Who This Icon Is Suitable For

Because of its rich decoration with hand-tooled gold and cold enamel-style ornament, this icon is a serious and festive Orthodox gift. It is suitable for an anniversary, wedding, wedding anniversary, baptism, name day, house blessing, or an important family occasion.

The icon is especially appropriate as a patron saint icon for a man or boy named Nicholas. It may also be chosen for leaders, military men, doctors, travelers, business partners, and people whose work involves responsibility, risk, or travel.

In a home, this icon can become the central image of a family icon corner. The gold and deep enamel-like colors give the image a solemn beauty, while the face of Saint Nicholas remains the spiritual center of prayer.

Life of Saint Nicholas of Myra

Saint Nicholas was born in the second half of the third century in Patara, in a pious Christian family. From his youth he devoted himself to prayer, Scripture, and service to God. Later he became priest and then archbishop of Myra in Lycia.

His life is full of works of mercy. One of the best-known episodes is his secret help to a poor father with three daughters. Saint Nicholas provided the family with money so the daughters would be protected from shame and could enter honorable marriages. This deed became one of the roots of the later tradition of giving gifts in the name of Saint Nicholas.

During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, Saint Nicholas suffered imprisonment and strengthened other Christians. He reposed in peace around the year 345. Since 1087 his relics have been venerated in Bari, where they continue to be associated with healing and prayerful help.

How to Choose the Size

The sizes 13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 in) and 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in) are small, cell-style icons suitable for travel, an office desk, a small prayer shelf, or a baptism gift. The size 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in) is a universal home icon size.

The sizes 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) allow the painter to show the beauty of the cold enamel-style ornament, the smallest details of the gold tooling, the face, Gospel, and vestments more fully. These larger sizes are suitable for spacious homes, gifts to leaders, or donations to a church.

Blessing and Care

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

An icon with cold enamel-style ornament should be cared for gently. Do not use wet wipes, household sprays, chemical cleaners, or abrasive materials. Dust may be removed with a soft dry brush or flannel cloth. Keep the icon away from dampness, direct sunlight, heaters, and sudden changes in temperature.

Ordering and Shipping

Available sizes are 13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 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), 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

What is cold enamel-style painting on this icon?

It is a decorative technique in which colored glossy ornament is painted over the gilded borders, visually recalling a precious old enamel oklad.

Is real gold used for the background and ornament?

Yes. The background, halo, and base for the border decoration are made with natural 23K gold leaf (960 purity), not imitation metal leaf.

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

The open Gospel shows that Saint Nicholas was a bishop, preacher of the Word of God, and defender of the true Orthodox faith.

Is Nicholas the Pleasant the same saint as Nicholas the Wonderworker?

Yes. These are two traditional names for Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. Wonderworker refers to his miracles, while Nicholas the Pleasant means that he pleased God by his holy life.

Will the colors on this icon fade over time?

The face and vestments are painted in mineral egg tempera made with natural pigments. With proper care, this traditional technique keeps its color depth for many years.

Who is this richly decorated icon suitable for as a gift?

It is suitable for anniversaries, weddings, important family occasions, business or military gifts, travelers, and as a patron saint icon for a man named Nicholas.

How should an icon with cold enamel-style decoration be cared for?

Do not use wet wipes, chemical cleaners, or abrasive materials. Dust should be removed gently with a soft dry brush or flannel cloth.

Can the icon be blessed before delivery?

Yes. The icon can be blessed in church before delivery, or the customer may bring it to their own parish for blessing.

What do Orthodox Christians pray to Saint Nicholas for?

People ask Saint Nicholas for help in travel, healing, reconciliation, protection from injustice, help in poverty, family peace, and care for children.

Can this icon be ordered in a large church size?

Yes. In addition to the available home sizes, larger church and iconostasis formats can be made by individual agreement while preserving the gold and enamel-style decoration.