Saint Nicholas Planas

The Story Behind This Icon:  Born on the island of Naxos, Greece in 1851, Saint Nicholas Planas (also known as Papa-Nicholas Planas) lost his father at a very young age and moved to Athens due to financial difficulties. Wanting to please his mother, he married at the age of 17 and soon became the father of one child. His wife passed away when their son was one year old, thus spending most of his life in celibacy. His only aspiration was to serve the Church  (an aspiration and love passed to him by his grandfather) and he was ordained a deacon in 1879.  For more than fifty years, Saint Nicholas Planas served the Divine Liturgy on a daily basis, starting at 8am and finishing typically at 3 pm, as he commemorated and prayed for all those in need. He used to always carry with him two large scarves containing slips of paper with thousands of names - the names of the people he prayed for.  During the liturgies, the parishioners witnessed amazing events as he was often seen raised off the ground in front of the altar. Being almost illiterate but immensely enlightened, he was also famously absent-minded and known for never keeping anything for himself but giving to the poor everything he had. He reposed in peace in February 1932 and is commemorated every year on March 2nd, unless this day falls during the Great Lent period; then he is celebrated on the first Sunday after March 2nd. He is also celebrated on the first Sunday of September along with five more Saints from the island of Naxos.  Saint Nicholas Planas was recognized as a Saint in 1992. His holy relics are kept in St. John the Hunter Church in Athens, Greece.  *** This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.