Saint Nicholas – Engraved Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Engraved Lithograph with Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was born in the 3rd century AD in Patara, Lycia, to devout parents. He lived during the reigns of the emperors Diocletian (284–304 AD), Maximian (286–305 AD), and Constantine the Great.

He was orphaned at a young age and inherited great wealth from his parents. Inspired by philanthropic feelings, Nicholas used his wealth to help those in need.

He later dedicated himself to an ascetic life. However, due to his outstanding virtue, he was honored, without seeking it, with the office of priest in Patara and later with the position of Archbishop of Myra. From this position, he guided his flock with love and boldly confessed the truth of the Gospel, which led to his arrest and imprisonment by the local authorities.

When Emperor Constantine the Great came to power, all Christians who had been imprisoned were set free. Thus, Nicholas returned to the archbishop’s throne of Myra. He even participated in the First Ecumenical Council, where he distinguished himself for his wisdom and character.

Saint Nicholas was endowed, even while still alive, with the gift of miracles. His miracles are countless to this day. He fell asleep in the Lord in 330 AD. The Church commemorates his memory on December 6, and he is the patron saint of sailors.

Engraved Lithograph: Characteristics

The artwork is entirely hand-crafted, without the use of machines, on carved natural wood. It is the work of the iconographer Athanasios, a student of the Athoniada Ecclesiastical Academy, who remains faithful to Byzantine art as taught to him on Mount Athos. His works are coated with pure beeswax to ensure they remain unchanged over time.

In this particular image, the monk iconographer used the lithography technique to create a piece of unique beauty. Specifically, by using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk created this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. The artificial aging of the icon is hand-made, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos give particular importance.

Since the icon is hand-crafted and the wood processing is entirely done by hand, there may be small variations in the dimensions of each icon.

The icon is available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos