Icon St. Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker

The icon features the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker standing in a boat. His name is on the sail. The image has three symbolic concepts of the first centuries of Christianity:

• The Stormy sea — the idea of life as a stormy water element.
• Ship — Salvation, the personification of the Church.
• Mast and yards — The Holy Cross.

Saint Nicholas was born in Lycia, an ancient state in what is now Turkey. Preserved stories tell us he was comprehensively gifted and inclined to godly pursuits from an early age. As an adult, Nicholas became a bishop in the city of Myra, where he won the love and respect of the inhabitants because of his help, mercy and spiritual guidance. He became famous for his ability to heal with prayer, tame the element and prophesy. He was canonized after his death The image of the saint is firmly connected with the sea. He was a traveler and sailed a lot on ships, where he got into storms and hurricanes. There was discovered the gift of taming storms, which quickly became a legend. The news of the wonderful rescues quickly spread, and the sailors began to pray to the Bishop of Myra when he had not yet been canonized by the church.

A true Russian miracle-worker for all time

Saint Nicholas is venerated by all confessions of Christians, but he is especially loved in Russia. The tradition traced back to antiquity. His name is well known to every believer and atheist. Stories of miraculous seamen’s savings were passed from mouth to mouth. Merchants and navigators were the first to seek help from Nicholas and received it. Gradually, they found themselves under the patronage of the saint:

• all travelers by land, sea, and air;
• merchants and bankers;
• students;
• cattlemen and farmers;
• persons sentenced to prison;
• sick ones, etc.

Mostly, believers ask for relief from diseases, good luck in business, safety on the road, protection from different misfortunes, family well-being, and advice in difficult life situations. In every Orthodox church and every Russian hut, there was always an icon with the face of St. Nicholas, as it is also called. It was placed next to the images of Jesus and the Virgin in the most honorable place. Foreign guests noted that and even called the saint "the Russian god". It is said the prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has a special power because the Lord gave him the grace of early fulfillment of requests. Therefore, the worshipper immediately receives help and an answer.