Saint Demetrius – Aged Serigraph – Mount Athos

Description

Antiqued Serigraph of Saint Demetrius

An exquisite antiqued serigraph crafted on natural spruce wood, depicting Saint Demetrius, the patron saint and protector of Thessaloniki. His feast day is celebrated with great solemnity in the city on October 26th.

In the figure of Saint Demetrius, Thessaloniki sees its protector and liberator. Not only because the city’s liberation from the Turks in 1912 coincided with the feast of the saint, but also because, as tradition tells, before the liberation, the city’s inhabitants saw Saint Demetrius riding a horse on the White Tower, encouraging them.

Demetrius was born into an aristocratic family in Thessaloniki. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Roman army, and by the age of 22, he held the rank of a tribune. As a Roman military officer under the command of the tetrarch (and later emperor) Galerius Maximian, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, he became a Christian and was imprisoned in Thessaloniki in 303 AD for defying the emperor’s decree “against Christianity.”

In prison, there was a young Christian named Nestor (October 27th), who was to face in single combat the infamous gladiator of the time, Lyaios. Saint Demetrius gave him his blessing, and as a result, Nestor defeated Lyaios, enraging the emperor. Both were then ordered to be executed: Demetrius by being pierced with spears and Nestor by decapitation. Saint Demetrius’ body was buried at the place of his martyrdom, where a magnificent church was later built in his honor. His tomb became a deep well that gushed myrrh, which led to his epithet, “Myrrh-bearer.”

In Byzantine icons and modern iconography, Saint Demetrius is often depicted as a horseman on a red horse (in contrast to Saint George’s white horse), trampling the infidel Lyaios.

Serigraph – Characteristics

Serigraphy is a highly popular technique in iconography, widely taught and used in many iconography workshops, including those on Mount Athos. In fact, the monks who create icons using this technique follow traditional methods, meaning the iconographer handcrafts much of the icon with minimal technological involvement. The technique of aging icons is also handcrafted, giving these works collectible value. They are precise copies of Byzantine art, with a distinct appeal to the antique. The icon is painted with high-quality materials on natural wood, and the painted surface is covered with pure beeswax, ensuring the colors remain unchanged over time.

The icon is available upon request

Origin: Mount Athos

Dimensions: 17 x 26 x 2 cm