Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Vita Icon In Christian iconography, one of the most popular figures was St Nicholas the Wonderworker, bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who lived in the 3rd/4th century. Recognised as a benefactor in times of need, St Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, tailors, weavers, butchers, merchants, millers, stonemasons, brewers, apothecaries, lawyers, schoolchildren, travellers, and women wishing to find husbands. The miracles performed by him during his lifetime and after his death contributed to the rapid development of the cult and the creation of numerous variants of his depiction. In Ruthenia, since the adoption of Christianity, Nicholas the Wonderworker has been continuously venerated by his followers, as evidenced by the significant number of his depictions. In the central part of the icon, the figure of St Nicholas can be seen, and around him are placed twelve scenes from his life and the miracles he performed, such as: 1. Birth; 2. Baptism; 3. Prayer with his parents; 4. Teaching; 5. Diaconate; 6. Designation as bishop; 7. St Nicholas appearing to Emperor Constantine; 8. The rescue of three innocent prisoners; 9. The rescue of Dmitri from the drowning; 10. Casting out an evil spirit; 11. Returning a son from captivity to his parents; 12. The funeral of St Nicholas. 

Teresa Bagińska-Żurawska https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9243-3967