Saint Nikitas the Stylite and Wonderworker

Orthodox icon of Saint Nikitas the Stylite and Wonderworker on thick plywood 20mm, which does not sting and keeps its shape over time. Preparation with acrylic stucco and have been used acrylic colors. It has been covered with varnish to keep the colors undiluted in time and humidity. Hanging clip included on the back of the icon.  

St. Nikitas was born in Russia in the 12th century and was a cruel and vicious tax collector. However, upon entering a church on a certain occasion he heard the words of the Prophet Isaiah: 'Wash yourselves (of your sins), make yourselves clean;' with this a profound conversion was effected in his soul. Nikita left his wife and all he possessed  and entered upon the ascetic life in a monastery near Pereyaslavl as a monk. His discipline led him to dig a well outside the monastery and cap it with a stone, and binding himself in chains he stood on there in vigil, thus earning the title 'Stylite'. Nikita was killed 24 May 1186 during a robbery, the thieves believed the hermit to have been bound by silver chains as they were shining one day while he was praying. They took the chains off him and carried them away. When they came to the Volga River, the robbers saw the chains were not silver but worthless metal; so they threw the chains in the river. The pious elder Simeon of the Yaroslavl Monastery of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, was revealed the chains in a dream. He told the abbot of the monastery and many people gathered to go find the chains. When they arrived at the river they saw the chains ''floating on the river like a tree''. They were brought back to the monastery of Saint Nikita and placed in his tomb. His feast day is on May 24.