Saint Nicholas of Mozhaysk, or Nikola of Mozhaysk (russian: Никола Можайский), is a Russian variation of the Saint Nikolaus traditions. According to the legend, during the 14th-century siege of Mozhaysk city by

Mongols The Mongols ( mn, Монголчууд, , , ; ; russian: Монголы) are an East Asian ethnic group native to Mongolia, Inner Mongolia in China and the Buryatia Republic of the Russian Federation. The Mongols are the principal membe ...

, the residents prayed to Saint Nicholas, who announced himself as a huge figure holding a sword in the right hand and the city of Mozhaisk on the palm of the left hand. After seeing such a frightful vision the Mongols retreated. The grateful citizen erected a wooden monument to Saint Nicholas as he was seen during his announcement. The motive became a popular plot for

Russian icons The use and making of icons entered Ancient Rus' following its conversion to Orthodox Christianity in AD 988. As a general rule, these icons strictly followed models and formulas hallowed by Byzantine art, led from the capital in Constantinople. A ...

and

high-relief Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material. The term ''relief'' is from the Latin verb ''relevo'', to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the ...

Nicholas in Estonia

According to folklore researcher, Hele Bome, Saint Nikolai of Mozhaisk is remembered in an icon sculpted in high-relief. This icon became most popular as a protective image, especially favored by Setu peoples, who sometimes venerate the icon with loaves of bread or cream, and who often seek blessings on their agriculture and cattle-raising. However the main role attributed to this figure is as a protector of the crops from the cold. Some texts specifically describe the saint as a warrior-hero (e.g., a white-bearded man who stands on top of the monastery wall and can't be touched by enemy fire). The icon stands with a sword raised, which figures in the initial legends as Nikolai appeared to during a war time, but which is explained in other stories as the Saint threatening to strike an old woman who did not believe in him. These legends may include events actually experienced in the life of the missionary of Petseri (near the Estonia-Russia border).

Moscow Kremlin

The icon of Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk was installed on the wall of Nikolskaya Tower above the Nikolsky Gate to

Moscow Kremlin The Kremlin ( rus, Московский Кремль, r=Moskovskiy Kreml', p=ˈmɐˈskofskʲɪj krʲemlʲ, t=Moscow Kremlin) is a fortified complex in the center of Moscow founded by the Rurik dynasty. It is the best known of the kremlins (R ...

. The icon is dated to the end of 15th - beginning of 16th century. The Tower was exploded by retreating French during the

French invasion of Russia The French invasion of Russia, also known as the Russian campaign, the Second Polish War, the Army of Twenty nations, and the Patriotic War of 1812 was launched by Napoleon Bonaparte to force the Russian Empire back into the continental block ...

in 1812. The top of the tower was completely destroyed but the icon was damaged only slightly. The icon was again damaged by artillery fire during the

October Revolution The October Revolution,. officially known as the Great October Socialist Revolution. in the Soviet Union, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a revolution in Russia led by the Bolshevik Party of Vladimir Lenin that was a key moment ...

in 1917. The gunshots destroyed the left hand (with the Mozhaisk cathedral) of the saint but the right hand with the sword was left intact. After this the icons of "Wounded Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk" appeared holding the sword with the right hand but with the left hand and the cathedral missing. During the Soviet rule the icon was plastered over. It was uncovered and restored in 2010.

In popular culture

Mikola Mozhaiski is a character in the 1999 novel '' Enchantment'' by Orson Scott Card.

Gallery

File:Nikolskaya Tower, 1812.jpg, Nikolskaya Tower after French retreat, the top of the tower was destroyed but the icon survived File:Полуразрушенные Никольские ворота.jpg, Kremlin icon of Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk after the

in 1917 File:СВЯТИТЕЛЬ НИКОЛАЙ ЧУДОТВОРЕЦ (НИКОЛА МОЖАЙСКИЙ).jpg, Icon of Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk, 16th-17th century File:СВЯТИТЕЛЬ НИКОЛАЙ ЧУДОТВОРЕЦ (НИКОЛА МОЖАЙСКИЙ), С ЖИТИЕМ.jpg, Icon "Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk and his Life" File:Nickola Mogayskiy.JPG, Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk with Saint martyrs Catherine and Paraskevi File:S.Nicholas03 (17 c, Rublev's museum).jpg, Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk, 17th century File:Saint Nicholas Icon Lubok.jpg, Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk, lubok File:Икона Николы с верховья реки Пинеги.jpg, Icon of Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk, 1894

References

{{Authority control Russian saints Saint Nicholas Slavic warriors Mozhaysky Uyezd