The inspiration for this icon type originated in a miracle said to have occurred when Tatars attacked the city of Mozhaisk. According to tradition, St. Nicholas appeared in the air above the attackers, sword in hand, and saved the city. In this icon type Nicholas is shown full-length and is depicted in the attire of a Bishop. He holds a sword in his outstretched right hand and a church (sometimes interpreted as a city) in his left. As in most depictions of Nicholas, both Christ and Mary are shown in the upper corners presenting Nicholas with the Gospels (Christ) and a Bishop’s stole (Mary). Three-dimensional icons are uncommon in Orthodoxy; this subject is among the very few often found in sculptural form. While the art of carving is an ancient tradition in Russia, the church looked upon three-dimensional carvings as being too closely related to Russia’s pagan past. Consequently, religious sculpture was, for the most part, strictly banned by the church. Therefore, surviving examples such as this are considered rare.
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