Saint Venerable Nilus of Stolobny. Wooden orthodox icon.
Venerable Nil of Stolobny was born into a peasant family in a small village of the Novgorod Diocese. In 1505, he took monastic vows at the monastery of Venerable Savva Krypetsky near Pskov. After ten years of ascetic life in the monastery, he withdrew to the Seremlya River near Ostashkov, where he lived in strict solitude for 13 years, enduring demonic temptations in the form of phantoms and wild beasts.
As people from nearby villages sought his guidance, Nil, desiring seclusion, prayed for a place of solitude. One day, after fervent prayer, he heard a voice: "Nil! Go to Lake Seliger. On Stolobny Island, you will find salvation!" Guided by this revelation, he reached the island and was struck by its beauty.
Settling in the dense forest at the lake’s center, Nil dug a cave and later built a small hut, where he lived for 26 years. His ascetic feats included extreme fasting and perpetual vigilance—he never lay down to sleep, resting only briefly while leaning on hooks fixed in the wall of his cell.
The saint’s holy life provoked the enemy’s envy, manifesting through human hostility. Once, an unknown arsonist set fire to the island’s forest, but the flames miraculously stopped at the hill where Nil lived. Another time, robbers broke into his hut. He told them, "All my treasure is in the corner of my cell," where only an icon of the Theotokos stood. The thieves, struck blind, repented in tears, begging for his forgiveness.
Nil’s miracles were numerous. He rejected offerings from those with impure hearts or bodily uncleanness. Foreseeing his death, he prepared his own coffin. Shortly before his repose, a nearby monastery’s abbot visited and administered the Holy Mysteries. Afterward, Nil prayed, censed his icons and cell, and peacefully surrendered his soul to God on December 7, 1554.
His veneration grew, and in 1667, his incorrupt relics were discovered and enshrined in the Church of the Sign in Ostashkov, with his feast days established on May 27 and December 7.
Years later, a hermit named Herman and a pilgrim named Boris settled on the island, founding a monastery dedicated to Nil. The monks of Orshin Monastery painted an icon of the saint, and miraculous healings occurred at his grave. Archbishop Nektarios of Siberia later initiated the construction of a stone church, during which Nil’s relics were miraculously uncovered, leading to his formal glorification.
The icon is made by printing on a wooden board. Paints are mineral, do not fade with time. The thickness of the board is 2 cm. The board is covered with primer by hand. The image is covered with wax. Each icon has a metal mount on the back side so that you can hang the icon on the wall.
You can buy the icon in three sizes:
- 13 х 10 centimeters (5,1 x 3,9 inches)
- 19 х 15 centimeters (7,5 x 5,9 inches)
- 26 х 21 centimeters (10,2 x 8,3 inches)
Our icons are made by Orthodox craftsmen. You can read more about the technology here.
We hope it will be a good gift for you and your loved ones.
