The icon with the image of Saint Nicholas can be found in nearly every house in Volyn even these days.
There are almost 40 churches in Volyn built in honor of the saint. In the Museum of Volyn Icon the number of icons with the Saint Nicholas is larger than the number of all the other icons all together. Thus, it is natural that the front page of the calendar for 2013, which has just been published by the Volyn Ethnographical Museum, depicts Saint Nicholas.
This is the icon from the 17th century that was made by an artist whose name is unknown to the history. He did not sign his art works, but art critics recognize them by his artistic manner of painting. This artist, who is now called “the master from Mykhnivka,” worked in the Monastery in one of the towns of Volhynia. At that time Mykhnivka had Magdeburg Law and was the center of the district. Today there are only about ten houses left of the former luxury. However, in the place where there used to be an ancient Monastery, there is now a convent.
The Galician-Volhynian Chronicle under the year 1259 describes the event called “Lutsk Miracle”: “When Kuremsa (Mongol ruler) stood near Lutsk, God and Saint Nicholas performed the great miracle. The wind started blowing mightily and when stone throwing machine was throwing stones the wind would turn them against Tatars.” This is only one of many mentions of Saint Nicholas in the Chronicles. This is how the great saint became the patron of the city. The image of Saint Nicholas appeared on Lutsk city seal, which at that time performed the basic function of the city emblem and was used as a symbol of self-government.
In 1999 Lutsk residents officially made Saint Nicholas the patron of the city. A monument to the saint in front of the City Hall is a place where all religious denominations hold joint worship, where newly-weds come for blessing, and various prizes are awarded to its winners.
