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Tempera painting on panel representing Saint Nikolai the Wonder.
Greece.
About 1800.
Nicolas de Myre (about 270 - 343), archbishop and wonder worker, is one of the most represented figures in byzantin icons. The patron of merchants and travelers, even during his life and than after his death, Saint Nicolas interceded miraculously to protect ships in distress and those traveling by sea, Nicolas showed himself to be a generous intendant of the grace of God by his innumerable miracles in favor of poor and abandoned people, of those who suffer injustice and of all those who asks even now his paternal protection. The most popular icon of Saint Nikolai the Wonder was executed in Kiev in the 12th century and restored in Novgorod. The icon is now at the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow.
Among Catholics, Saint Nicolas is often represented with three children that he rescued.
