Saint John the Warrior is depicted against a deep blue background, standing against a rocky landscape, which occupies the bottom register of the icon. There is a small city depicted to his right. As is tradition, he has a short brown beard and brown hair. He is dressed as a soldier of the Roman Empire wearing gold-scaled armour over a blue tunic. He wears a red cape which billows behind him, the folds highlighted in white and dark red lines. He rests his left hand on his sword and holds up his right hand in the traditional gesture of blessing. At the top of the icon on the kovcheg (raised frame) we see God the Father watching over Saint John.

The Holy Martyr John the Warrior served in the imperial army under the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). The year of the saint’s death is unknown. According to legend he miraculously appeared to a Christian woman and indicated where his remains lay. After this event his relics were placed in a church of the Apostle John the Theologian in Constantinople. In the Russian Church, Saint John the Warrior is revered as a great intercessor in periods of sorrow and difficulty. His feast day is July 30th.

The dark background and strong red-gold contrasts suggest affinities with Palekh or Kholui traditions.