Russian icon depicting St. Nicholas the thaumaturge sided by Jesus and the Virgin., 19th century

Height x width x depth: 54 x 45 x 3 cm.

St. Nicholas is among the most venerated saints in Russia.The saint's story is accompanied by a very rich hagiographic literature. The saint from birth observed the fasts imposed by Orthodox rule, refusing breast milk until sunset on Wednesdays and Fridays. While still an infant he stood perfectly on his feet. Once an adult, he had received a substantial inheritance from his parents which he distributed to the poor. Particularly popular is the legend that a man, who had fallen into poverty to the point of wanting to make meretricians of his three daughters, was saved by the saint who threw three bags containing gold out of his window. From this would descend the custom to give Christmas gifts to children: St. Klaus is nothing more than a deformation of the saint's name in the Dutch language. St. Nicholas is also remembered for intervening several times on behalf of unjustly accused people.