Saint Alexis – Aged Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Aged Lithograph of Saint Alexis

Saint Alexis, the Man of God, was born in Rome to pious and wealthy parents. After receiving an education, he eventually left his home with a small amount of money and traveled to Syria, and then to Mesopotamia. He gave all that he had to the poor, dressed in rags, and sat in the narthex of the Church of the Theotokos. He lived in fasting throughout the week, received Communion every Sunday, and only ate a small piece of bread on that day.

His parents searched for him in vain. Saint Alexis remained in the church for 17 years and then returned to his home, but did not reveal his identity, living with the poor whom his father helped. He stayed in his family home for another 17 years. Just before passing away, he wrote down his entire life on paper. After a divine intervention, Archbishop Innocent discovered the Man of God, and only then was the true identity of Saint Alexis revealed. His holy relics were placed for veneration, and all who approached and kissed them—blind, lepers, and those possessed—were healed.

Aged Lithograph: Features

In this particular image, the monk-iconographer used the lithography technique to create a work of exceptional beauty. Specifically, using a lithographed reproduction of Byzantine art, the monk crafted this piece following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite monastic community. The artificial aging of the icon is entirely handmade, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos pay special attention.

Origin: Mount Athos