"St. Nicholas the Wonderworker"

Legends about the miracles of St. Nicholas began to be recorded already in ancient times. Numerous temples and monasteries were erected in his honor, and Russian people called him by the name of their children at baptism. He was a man of great spiritual experience, a reliable, faithful pastor, whose life served as an extraordinary breadth of his veneration. A lush decor with rosettes and grape leaves frames the icon. The shapes of the floral motifs are suggested by the appearance of the old-print ornament. The figurehead is made in the form of a temple roof topped with a dome, which gives the product an architectonic appearance. In the central brand of the icon is the image of St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia, called "Nicholas of Zaraisk" - St. Nicholas in episcopal vestments holds the Gospel in his left hand, blesses with his right. The icon, according to the "Tale of Nikolai Zaraisky", was brought to the Ryazan land from Korsun in 1225 and became famous for numerous miracles. The central image is surrounded by stamps around the perimeter, which are dedicated to events from the life of the saint.: 1 The Nativity of St. Nicholas St. Nicholas was born in the city of Patara, into the family of pious and noble parents Theophan and Nonna. After his birth, his mother Nonna was immediately freed from the disease and remained infertile from that time on. By this, nature itself testified that his mother could not have another son like St. Nicholas. 2 The Baptism of St. Nicholas Already in the first days of his infancy, Saint Nicholas showed that he was destined for a special service to the Lord. There is a tradition that during the celebration of the sacrament of holy baptism, he, unsupported by anyone, stood in the font for three hours, foreshadowing the future faith in the Holy Trinity, which he zealously preached throughout his life. 3 St. Nicholas Literacy training All the unusual behavior of the child showed the parents that he would become a great Saint of God, and therefore they inspired their son with the truths of Christianity. When the time came, St. Nicholas was given to a teacher to study literacy. In a short time, Saint Nicholas mastered most of the sciences, comprehended much wisdom and succeeded in book learning. 4 Ordination to the priesthood of St. Nicholas St. Nicholas' uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, rejoicing at his nephew's spiritual success and high piety, appointed him a reader in the church, and then elevated Nicholas to the rank of priest, making him his assistant. Serving the Lord, the young man was like an elder in matters of faith, which aroused the surprise and deep respect of believers. 5 The salvation of three virgins and their father from the sin of fornication Having learned about the bitter need and poverty of a previously wealthy resident of his city, St. Nicholas saved him from a great sin. Having three adult daughters, a desperate father plotted to give them to fornication to save them from starvation. The saint, grieving for the dying sinner, secretly threw three bags of gold through his window at night and thereby saved the family from falling and spiritual ruin. 6 Saint Nicholas casts out a demon from a tree and a storehouse This stamp combines two episodes from the Life of St. Nicholas, where he casts out a demon from a cypress tree and a well. Having performed a prayer and a sign, the saint struck the trunk with an axe and drove out the unclean spirit that was destroying people and crops. After learning about the miraculous exorcism, the inhabitants of the village where the ancient spring was located, which destroyed livestock and people, turned to St. Nicholas for help. Heeding the entreaties, St. Nicholas pointed out the place where a new spring was miraculously found – "a nasty treasure of water." 7 Saving the ship from sinking St. Nicholas is considered the patron saint of seafarers, to whom sailors turn in their prayers. Once, during a trip to Palestine by ship, he showed the gift of foresight and miracle-working: he foretold the coming storm and calmed it with the power of his prayer. The sea waves stopped, silence fell; at the same time, the sadness and despair of the sailors gave way to unexpected joy for their miraculous salvation and gratitude to the Lord. 8 The liberation of the commanders from prison St. Nicholas is known for his prayers for the innocently convicted and for saving them from the death penalty. Three military leaders were imprisoned and sentenced to death without guilt, they began to fervently pray to God, asking for intercession through St. Nicholas. That same night, the Saint of God appeared to the tsar in a dream and imperiously demanded the release of three military leaders, threatening to raise a rebellion and deprive the tsar of power. The tsar ordered their case to be examined and, convinced of their innocence, released them. 9 Saving three husbands from execution The governor condemned to death three men from their city, who were innocent of anything. When Saint Nicholas heard about this, he was deeply grieved and, accompanied by the military leaders, immediately went to the place of execution. Combining rage with meekness, the holy hierarch walked freely among the people, without any fear, snatched the sword from the executioner's hands, throwing it to the ground, and then freed the condemned men from their bonds. 10 Saving Dimitri from drowning One pious man named Dimitri went on a pilgrimage to the church of St. Nicholas. A violent storm arose and capsized the ship. Carried away by the depths to the very bottom of the sea, Dimitri constantly called out, "Saint Nicholas, help me!" An ambulance attendant immediately appeared to him, took him by the hand, pulled him out of the depths and carried him home. 11 Repose of St. Nicholas The Lord has vouchsafed His great Saint to live to a ripe old age. But the time came when he had to repay the common debt of human nature. After a short illness, he died peacefully on December 6, 342, and was buried in the cathedral church of the city of Mira. 12 The transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas In 1087, Saint Nicholas appeared in a dream to an Apulian priest of the city of Bari (in southern Italy) and ordered his relics to be transferred to this city. The wonderfully preserved white marble tomb has been opened. It turned out to be filled to the brim with fragrant myrrh, in which the relics of the saint were immersed. Many miracles were performed from his holy relics, and those who came to worship Nicholas the Wonderworker were cured of physical and mental ailments. On the back of the product are placed an icon and a kontakion of the akathist to St. Nicholas: "You truly have, Father Nicholas, a song sung to You from Heaven, and not from the Earth, for someone from man will be able to preach Your Holiness of Greatness! For no one can surpass You in God-worship and Love for Mankind, even if You have accomplished many God-pleasing Deeds and do not judge people, but we, conquering through Your love, cry out to You: Rejoice, O Image of Lambs and Shepherds: Rejoice, Holy Purifier of morals. Rejoice, You Great Receptacle of Virtues: rejoice, You Holy, Pure and Honest Dwelling. Hail, All-luminous Lamp and All-beloved: hail, Light, Golden-haired and Immaculate. Hail, Worthy Companion of an Angel: hail, Kind mentor of a man. Rejoice, Rule of Pious Faith: rejoice, Image of Spiritual Meekness. Rejoice, for You have freed us from bodily passions, rejoice, for You have filled us with Spiritual Sweets. Hail, Nicholas, the Great Miracle Worker. Seeing the outpouring of Your Peace, O Wise Men of God, let us be enlightened in our souls and bodies, O Wonderful Myrrh-streaming, Life-giving One, Nicholas, meaning: for you are miraculous as the waters of God's Grace are pouring out, send those who faithfully cry out to God: Hallelujah! We magnify You, Holy Father Nicholas, and honor Your holy memory." The words of prayer run along the end of the product: "O chosen Miracle-worker and much-beloved of Christ, exude to the whole world a myrrh of much grace, and an inexhaustible sea of wonders, I praise you with love, St. Nicholas. Pray to Christ God for us."