A riza (also called an oklad) is a gold or silver metal cover put on top of an icon. Usually all the riza leaves visible is the face and hands of the icon. Rizas are sometimes embellished even more with pearls and gems.

Originally, the tradition of putting rizas on icons began with wonder-working icons. Grateful individuals whose prayers were answered returned to the icon and would leave a thanksgiving offering or remembrance of silver or gold or something else that was precious. Sometimes they would leave a tablet relating the story of their healing.

Eventually, the precious metals were melted down and made into the elaborate rizas that would cover the icon. This showed that the saint in front of whose image you were praying was particularly effective at answering prayers at this site.