Saint Nicholas Basdanis of Metsovo

Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas Basdanis of Metsovo 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. Nicholas was born in Metsovo and the Basdanis family were one of the poorer families of Metsovo. At a young age Nicholas was sent to Trikala to work at a bakery in a mainly Muslim area. Certain influential and well educated Turks took an interest in Nicholas and they helped him in many ways and persuaded him that it was to his advantage to become a Muslim. In the end Nicholas finally converted to Islam, but immediately struck by remorse and he secretly left for Metsovo. There he reverted to Christianity and took up a life of striking repentance and prayer. He found a job; transporting pine woodtorches to Trikala. On one such journey he was recognized by a Turkish barber and threatened to denounce him to the authorities unless Nicholas agreed to bring him a certain quantity of pine wood torches once a year. Nicholas agreed. On the appointed day Nicholas returned to Trikala to meet the Turkish barber. He refused to hand over any pine wood and invited the barber to turn him in to the authorities. Outraged, the barber dragged him before the Muslim judges and Nicholas confessed he had been born a Christian and desired to die one too. Nicholas was beaten by the mob and thrown into the castle dungeons. He was tortured and starved and died by burnt in the central square of Trikala on May 17, 1617, which is his feast day.