St Nicholas

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from ancient times was one of the most revered saints in Russia, patronizing travelers, seafarers and children.

An unknown Russian master wrote St. Nicholas in episcopal vestments, with a white omophorion and black crosses on it. The saturated red color of the background indicates that the icon was created in Novgorod, the northern icon-painting school.

With his left hand, the saint supports the Holy Scripture, the right hand is frozen in a blessing gesture. The face of a saint is an example of spiritual strength and Christian chastity. Of particular importance are the wide-open eyes, through which the icon-painter shows the holiness of the depicted, his luminosity. This accent on the eyes creates an effect, as if the viewer does not look at the icon, but vice versa.