St. Nicholas Wonderworker Orthodox Icon

St. Nicholas Wonderworker Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the great hierarch, intercessor, and quick helper. This version is strict and solemn: the saint is shown in episcopal vestments, with a blessing gesture, the Gospel in his hand, a large gold halo, and a light gilded background with raised ornament.

Saint Nicholas is shown half-length. His face is attentive, direct, and filled with pastoral concentration. The high forehead, gray hair, short beard, and calm gaze follow the traditional iconography of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. The image is prayerful and restrained, yet festive because of the gilded background and lower name inscription.

The color harmony is built on red, blue, white, and gold. The white omophorion with large crosses emphasizes the episcopal dignity of Saint Nicholas. The red garment gives the icon solemn warmth, while the blue folds balance the gold of the background.

Features of This Icon

The right hand of Saint Nicholas is raised in blessing. In the left hand he holds the Gospel, the sign of episcopal ministry, faithfulness to Christ’s teaching, and pastoral instruction. In this icon the book is closed, which gives the composition a particularly gathered and strict character.

The gilded background is decorated with raised floral ornament visible in the upper part, at the sides, and in the lower decorative field. The lower field contains the name inscription, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. The large gold halo with a radiant pattern makes the saint’s face expressive even in a smaller size.

The icon is festive but not overloaded. The ornamental gold serves as a dignified frame, while the spiritual center remains the face of the saint, the blessing gesture, the omophorion, and the Gospel.

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 good preparation for the ground. Oak battens help the board keep its form 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 technique valued for depth of color, fine transitions, noble matte surface, and long durability.

The background, halo, and decorative elements are gilded with 23K gold leaf (960 purity). In this icon the gold is especially important because it emphasizes the hierarch’s dignity, brings the face forward, and creates a solemn space around the figure.

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 bishop with the Gospel and blessing gesture
Feast days	December 19, May 22, and August 11
Decorative features	Raised gilded background, large halo, white omophorion with crosses, red-blue vestments, Gospel, blessing gesture, and lower name inscription
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

Saint Nicholas of Myra is venerated as a quick helper in many life circumstances. People turn to him before travel, during illness, in family troubles, poverty, danger, injustice, anxiety for children, and moments when an important decision must be made.

Common prayer intentions include protection on the road, travel, business trips, and moving; help for children and their upbringing; family peace and reconciliation; healing and support for the sick; help in need and debt; defense from injustice and slander; and guidance for sailors, drivers, travelers, and all who are often on the road.

An icon is not a charm or 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, participation in church life, mercy toward people, 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 patron saint 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.

This 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.

Feast Days and Veneration

Saint Nicholas is especially commemorated on December 19, the day of his repose; May 22, the translation of his relics to Bari; and August 11, the Nativity of Saint Nicholas. These dates may be considered when choosing the icon as a name-day, baptism, birthday, family, or thanksgiving gift.

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, lived in the third and fourth centuries and became famous for mercy, firm faith, pastoral care, and many miracles. He helped the poor, protected the innocent, and became one of the most beloved saints in Orthodox homes and churches.

Iconography: Gospel, Omophorion, and Blessing

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 spiritual responsibility.

The omophorion with crosses is not merely decorative; it is a sign of episcopal service. The blessing gesture recalls Saint Nicholas’s prayerful intercession for people. Even in this restrained half-length composition, the icon preserves deep theological meaning.

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, inscriptions, and gold background 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.

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, raised ornament, 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 Wonderworker 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 protection in travel, help for children, healing, family peace, relief from need, support in difficult choices, and defense 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 mean?

The blessing gesture recalls the pastoral ministry of Saint Nicholas, his prayerful intercession before God, and his spiritual help to people.

Is this icon suitable for a home icon corner?

Yes. This icon is suitable for a home icon corner, family prayer space, chapel, church, or as a patron saint icon for someone named Nicholas.

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).

How should this hand-painted icon 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 cloth without pressure, especially on gilded and ornamental areas.