Great Martyr Necetas (Nikita), with scenes from his life
Iconography: Necetas (Nikita), Great Martyr, Nikita the Warrior series of hagiographic
Date: XVII century. 1669
Origin: From the Church of St. George in Murom
Material: Wood, tempera
Dimensions: height 105 cm, width 69 cm
The center of the icon portrays the full-length figure of St. Nicetas (Nikita) standing in a frontal pose, dressed in a richly decorated armor suit with a streaming red cloak pinned to the chest. His arms are spread wide apart. He is holding a red cross (the symbol of martyrdom) in his right hand and a sword in his left. The centerpiece of the icon is set in an ornamental step-shaped frame constituting an arch above the saint’s head.
Border scenes:
1. The angel appears to St. Necetas
2. St. Necetas meets Juliana walking with a cross
3. St. Necetas meets his pagan father Maximilian
4. St. Necetas prays to the Mother of God in a church
5. A young boy tells St. Necetas’ father about the saint’s prayer
6. St. Necetas confesses to his father that he is a Christian
7. St. Necetas destroys the golden idol
8. St. Necetas gives the pieces of the broken idol to the poor
9. St. Necetas’ father sends him to a pagan temple
10. St. Necetas tortured by coarse veins
11. The angel supports St. Necetas in his commitment to perform an exploit
12. St. Necetas seduced by a girl
13. The girl informs on St. Necetas
14. St. Necetas tortured by fire
15. St. Necetas tortured by sharp weapon
16. St. Necetas beaten on the head
17. St. Necetas tortured by burning coals
18. St. Necetas defeats Satan in prison
19. St. Necetas speaks to the Emperor
20. St. Necetas tortured by two columns
21. The poisoning of St. Necetas
22. The Resurrection of the Dead after St. Necestas’ prayer
23. The baptism of the people
24. The decapitation of St. Necetas
Deposited in the Museum on March 4, 1935
General view