Saint Gregory the Theologian – Serigraph on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Icon of Saint Gregory the Theologian on Naturally Aged Wood

An exquisite serigraph depicting Saint Gregory the Theologian. The aesthetic superiority of this particular icon lies in the flawless depiction of the Saint by the monk, and in the naturally aged wood from an Athonite cell that serves as the base for the image.

Saint Gregory the Theologian was born in 329 AD in Arianzos, a town in Cappadocia, into a holy family. His father was Gregory, Bishop of Nazianzus (January 1), and his mother was Nonna (August 5). He had two siblings: Caesarius (March 9) and his well-known, pious sister Gorgonia (February 23).

His studies lasted almost 13 years, as in addition to his basic education, he studied rhetoric at universities in Palestine, Alexandria, and Athens. He was a classmate of Saint Basil the Great (January 1). After his studies, Gregory returned to his homeland, where his father ordained him as a priest. However, Saint Gregory preferred the solitude of a hermitage in Pontus, near his friend Basil, to focus more on spiritual exercise.

At the age of 43, God elevated him to the episcopal rank, and divine Providence brought him to Constantinople (378 AD), where he defended Orthodoxy in an extraordinary manner and dealt a decisive blow to the Arians in a very difficult situation, as all the churches of the Capital were in the hands of heretics. Yet, the Saint did not despair. He transformed a room in the house where he was hosted into a church and gave it the symbolic name “Holy Anastasia,” signifying his belief in the resurrection of the Orthodox Faith. There, he delivered the famous five theological orations that justly earned him the title of Theologian.

After this intense struggle, Emperor Theodosius the Great appointed him Patriarch of Constantinople (381 AD), and the Second Ecumenical Council recognized him as its president. However, a group of bishops opposed him for trivial reasons. Disgusted by this, Gregory announced his resignation, withdrew to his hometown of Arianzos, and peacefully ended his life in 390 AD.

Saint Gregory the Theologian left behind a vast literary work. Particularly notable are his 408 philosophical poems, totaling about 18,000 verses. He is one of the greatest minds of Christianity and one of the brightest champions of the Orthodox faith.

His honorable relic is kept at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, while his sacred body is kept at the eponymous church in Nea Karvali. His memory is celebrated on January 25.

As the icon is handmade and the wood processing is done by hand, there may be slight variations in the wood, but not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon order.

Origin: Mount Athos

Dimensions: 20 x 24.5 x 1.5 cm