21. Saint Nicholas

Details

Russian, second half 17th century
89 x 40 cms

Provenance:
Private collection, The Netherlands.

Description:
Saint Nicholas is well-known both in the East and in the West. Infact, history mentions two clergymen under this name. One lived in the 4th century and was Bishop of Myra. The other was Abbot of the Sion Monastery in the 6th century. Both led lives that appealed to believers. The histories and legends relating to St Nicholas are a mixture of Christian and pagan traditions. There are many legends about him. Nicholas does not judge people, but he understands their situation better than anyone else.

He is dressed in bishop’s vestments with the attributes of episcopal office, namely the Bible and the omophorion. Nicholas holds the Bible in his left hand.

Saint Nicholas is one of the most venerated saints in the Orthodox Church. The name Nicholas is originally Greek. Nikè means victory and laos is people. His name means victory with and for the people. Nicholas is known as the national saint of Russia. Many faithful Russians carried pictures of him or placed icons of Nicholas at their front doors. Everyone who came in greeted first the icon and then the host. It is therefore not surprising that Nicholas is known as the protector of the house. Nicholas is also the protector of the family, children, sailors and merchants; of traders and the travellers. He is the patron saint of the poor, the innocent, prisoners and the downtrodden, and also of the city of Amsterdam.

There are two feast days dedicated to him in the Orthodox Church: May 9th and December 6th.