The Story Behind This Icon: Known as the patron saint of all travelers and sailors. Saint Nicholas Bishop of Myra is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession. He lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great in Asia Minor. He was born to a wealthy Christian family, but after his parents died, he distributed his wealth to the poor. He became Bishop of Myra soon after he returned from a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine. Later, he was imprisoned during the persecution of Diocletian, one of the most severe persecutions of Christians, but was released after the orders of Constantine the Great. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in the year 325 and was imprisoned again for slapping the heretic Arius, an act forbidden to the clergy. During the night, our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to some of the bishops who were seeking disciplinary action against him, and informed them that no punishment should be taken as he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. Many incidents from his life, along with his habit of secretly giving to the poor and to those in need make Saint Nicholas one of the most well-known and loved Saints of our church. As most know, for this reason Saint Nicholas is the inspiration for the western Santa Claus. Some of the most known miracles include saving three innocent soldiers from a wrongful execution, chopping down a tree possessed by a demon, healing a woman with a withered hand and hundreds more through the years. He reposed in the year 330 AD and his feast day is celebrated on December 6. Apolytikion of Nicholas the Wonderworker: Fourth Tone A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. *** This icon of Saint Nicholas is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection Icons from Mount Athos, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian. *** This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.
