A large antique Russian icon of Saint Nicholas. The icon is hand-painted in tempera and gold leaf on a gessoed board in the traditional Russian style. The saint is always depicted with the gospel in the liturgical vestments of a bishop and with the attributes of episcopal service in his hands. Saint Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Bari. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. His reputation evolved as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus. Circa the late 19th or early 20th century. Christian Orthodox Icons, Russian Religious Items And Collectibles.