This is a typical depiction of Nicholas. He is shown as a Bishop, wearing the rank of that office around his neck in the form of a stole. With his right hand he delivers a blessing. The position of his fingers is significant. The thumb, ring finger and little finger are bent together and touching, while the forefinger and slightly bent middle finger are held upright. The three joined fingers symbolize the divine and human natures of Christ. The slight bend in the forefinger symbolizes the descent of Christ to earth to become incarnate as a man. This is the sign of blessing common in icons of the Old Believers. In his left hand Nicholas carries the Gospels, the text they reveal is a variant of Luke 6:17 “At that time Jesus stood on the plain, and a multitude of his disciples…” In the upper left corner Christ is shown blessing Nicholas and giving him the Gospels. On the other side, Mary presents Nicholas with his Bishop’s stole which she is said to have given him when he was imprisoned. The shoulder-height inscription reads “Holy Nicholas the Wonderworker.” Saint Nicholas is venerated in Russia as patron of Russia, children, and sailors, and in the West, of pawnbrokers.
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