The icon by an unknown master of the 19th century is dedicated to Stephen of Perm, a bishop of the Orthodox Church.

During his life among the Zyryan pagans, the hieromonk overcame many deprivations fighting against idolatry. In his hagiography, to this time dates the story of the ‘mischievous birch’ — a huge tree on a hill, which the Zyryans worshiped and to which brought hunted animals. In order to carry knowledge of Christ, St. Stephen set up a cell nearby and delivered sermons every time local residents made sacrifices. One day the saint cut down and burned the tree in plain view of the settlement. It almost cost the old man his life, but the preaching about God’s love persuaded the people. Later, on the idol’s site, St. Stephen built a temple in honour of Archangel Michael, the vanquisher of the spirits of darkness.

For the enlightenment the hieromonk composed the alphabet of the Zyryan language, translated into it the Horologion, the Psalms, and selected places from the Gospel. Stephen built churches and schools, carefully selected deacons and priests from his disciples. He was the first to introduce the divine service in the Zyryan language. For this hard work in 1383 he received the rank of bishop, and his image entrenched in iconography.

The icon depicts Stephen of Perm is a canonical way: the saint blesses with his right hand and holds a closed book in his left hand. He is flanked by the knee-high figures of Christ and the God of Sabaoth in the clouds, and the background depicts a monastery. The background of the icon is light brown, the image is framed by a bright frame with a floral ornament.

The icon is made with paints and is decorated with gold leaf, which adds richness and solemnity to it. St. Stephen is depicted in ecclesiastic attire.