Martyr of Sebaste Nicholas

Only fifteen medallions with the images of martyrs were preserved in mosaics. The rest were restored in oil painting of 19th century.
Portrayed on six wall arches, Martyrs of Sebaste were considered to be a support of the church. They all hold a cross in the right hands – the symbol of martyrdom and in the left hand – suffering crown. Above the medallion - the name of the martyr in Greek.
Died in 320, at the lake near the city of Sebaste (now Istanbul, Turkey).
The Roman commander Agricola ordered his 40 Christian solders to offer sacrifice to pagan gods. After refusal they were tortured – they got frozen in iced water.