1108–1113
Fresco, limestone ground
209 х 70

The Holy St Nikolai (Nikola in medieval Russia) was a great Christian saint who was celebrated for working miracles both before and after his death. The Holy St Nikolai lived during the second half of the 3rd and first half of the 4th century and was archbishop of the city of Miry, capital and metropolitan see of Likia in Asia Minor. He was subjected repeatedly to persecution for serving in the Christian Church. He died circa 345 AD. In 1087, during the reign of Emperor Manuel Porphyrogenitos Comnesus, the relics of the saint were brought from Miry to the city of Bari in Apulia (Southern Italy). This province was under Greek rule until the mid-12th century.. In medieval Russia a holiday was established to celebrate the move of the relics of the holy saint (22 May in the New Style calendar) by the Metropolitan of Kiev Efrem (1097); and under him a church service to St Nikolai was composed. Ever since this time the Life of St Nikola has developed as a literary form in Russia. The iconography of the Holy St Nikolai took shape in Byzantine art during the 10th -11th centuries. The fresco depiction of the Church of the Archangel Michael follows the traditions of Constantinople. The fresco is the only full-length depiction of Nikolai known to us from the 10th-12th centuries - with an open Gospel.

at 10, Lavrushinsky Lane, Hall 56