The Saint Nicholas Center reports that the real St. Nicholas may have looked very much like many of the icons of the saint. When the remains of the saint were removed while the basilica in which they were kept was being renovated, the Vatican requested that a forensic anthropologist reconstruct what St. Nicholas may have looked like based on his remains. The picture in the middle of the top row is the result. The others are icons of St. Nicholas.
I think the fact that they do look strikingly close to the real thing is no accident. Icons are passed down throughout the generations and change very little over the centuries.
Happy Saint Nicholas Day from Dymphna's Well!
Great post. I've developed a love for icons. There is something very virile about them, no matter the subject, and also simplicity and depth. The appearance of St. Nicholas is remarkably consistent. I wish he were much better known in today's world for his good deeds of keeping poor girls from becoming sex slaves.
ReplyDeleteI love icons too.
ReplyDeleteSadly, sex slavery still goes on today. I'll have to remember St. Nicholas for that intention.
I have another picture of St. Nicholas that I love. In it he is wearing his "hat" (why can't I remember what that's called?). Still, though, he looks very similar to these.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool. (Bishop's mitre?)
ReplyDelete