Saint Nicholas – Handcrafted Icon – Mount Athos

Description

Handmade Hagiography On natural linden wood by the hands of the hagiographer, the saintly monk Father Vasileios, who is buried in the Holy Cell of Agios Anthony of the Holy Monastery of Philotheus.
An exceptional iconography depicting Saint Nikolaos, crafted entirely by hand.

This specific iconography has been crafted by the Agiorite Father Vasilios, based on Byzantine iconography standards. The depiction of the Saint has been painted entirely by hand. Coating the hagiography with pure beeswax ensures that the colors of the image remain unchanged over time.

Saint Nikolaos was born in the 3rd century AD in Patara in Lycia to pious and wealthy parents. He was orphaned at a young age, inheriting from his parents a large fortune, which he distributed to relieve those in need.

He then devoted himself to the ascetic life, while later he was honored with the office of archbishop of Myron. From this position he developed intense action for the protection of the poor and the needy by establishing hospitals and various charitable institutions. Gifted with a high Christian attitude, courage and vitality, he encouraged those persecuted by the Roman Christians, being persecuted and exiled himself for this attitude. During the persecutions of Diocletian, he suffered many tortures. But when Constantine the Great ascended to the imperial throne, all the Christians were freed and thus Nicholas returned to the archbishop’s throne. According to tradition, he was gifted with the gift of miracles, saving many people, both while he was alive and after his death.

It is especially honored throughout the Greek area by the people of the sea. He is the patron saint of sailors, the Navy and the Merchant Navy.