RARE ANTIQUE c.1600s LARGE 1 7/8" ORTHODOX CROSS HOLY FACE OF JESUS ST. NICHOLAS For Sale

The obverse bearsa larger image of the Holy Face of Jesus(icon "Not Made by Human Hands") in the centerpiece. This image isconsidered to be the oldest known Christian icon, and also the oldest knownportrait of Jesus.According to the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, Jesus made an imprint of His face bywiping it with a linen cloth, which was sent toKing Abgar of Edessa to curehis leprosy. The image of the Holy Face of Christ on the cloth was preserved for centuries in Edessa as the most sacred treasure. In 944, the Byzantines brought it with a great veneration to Constantinople. It remained there until the capture of the city by the Crusaders in 1204, when it was lost. However, by that time, numerous copies of the image were painted as the Holy Icons, preserving the sacred image to this day. This icon is called in Greek "Achieropoietos", meaning "not made by human hands". In the Byzantine tradition, the image was sometimes called the Mandylion, meaning "small handkerchief".In the Western Catholic tradition, the image is known as the image of the Holy Face of Jesus, as preserved on the Veil of Saint Veronica.

The left and right side crossbar ends show icons of the MostHoly Mother of God and St. John the Evangelist showing the way to Jesus bypointing hands at His image.Their names are inscribed in abbreviated form in the top "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar. The top line represents Greek abbreviation"MP ΘY" meaning "Mother of God", whereas the bottom line shows Church Slavonic "ИOAH" (IOAN) inscription meaning "John".

The bottom vertical crossbardisplaysan icon ofSaint Nicholas(Slavonic: Nicolay or Nicola/Nikola), one of the most renowned and venerated Christian saints, and a 4th-century Greek Bishop of Myra.The Saint is depictedholding the book of the Gospels in his left hand, and giving his blessing with his right hand.The Saint's name is inscribed above his image in abbreviated Church Slavonic as "НИКОЛ" ("NIKOL").Because of many miracles attributed to his intersession, this highly venerated Saint is usually referred to by the Orthodox faithful as the Wonderworker (or the Miracle Worker). His legendary habit of secret gift giving gave rise to traditional Christmas figures of Saint Nikolay in the Slavonic parts of the world and Santa Claus in the West. He is a patron saint of sailors, merchants, students, children, repentant thieves, and many countries and cities, such as Greece, Russia, Moscow, Amsterdam, Liverpool, and others.