Saint Kosmas of Aetolia – Handmade Pyrography

Description

Handmade Pyrography with the Depiction of Saint Kosmas of Aetolia

An exceptional image created using the technique of pyrography, depicting Saint Kosmas of Aetolia. This particular image has been entirely handmade.

Saint Kosmas was a shining apostle of the Gospel during the dark years of Ottoman slavery. To honor his struggle and contribution, the Church named him “Equal to the Apostles” and celebrates his feast day on August 24th.

Saint Kosmas, born Konstantinos, was born in 1714 in the village of Megalo Dendro in Aetolia, to devout parents who raised him in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. At the age of 20, he went to Mount Athos to study at the newly established school of Vatopedi Monastery. After graduation, he went to Filotheou Monastery, where he became a monk in 1759 and later a hieromonk with the name Kosmas.

Knowing that the nation was in danger, Saint Kosmas could not rest and was consumed day and night by the desire to go out and teach the enslaved Greeks the Holy Scriptures. However, he considered himself humble and incapable of bearing such a heavy responsibility. Through divine revelation, he went to Constantinople, where he met his brother, Chrysanthos, who was a teacher. He gave him lessons in rhetoric to help him with preaching. After receiving permission from Patriarch Seraphim, he traveled extensively throughout Greece, teaching the enslaved people the word of God.

Wherever he went, he built schools, churches, and large crowds gathered to “drink” the “nectar” of his holy teaching.

Ultimately, the envy of the Jews, in collaboration with the Turks, led to his martyrdom by hanging in Kolikondas, in the northern regions of Epirus, in 1779. His relic was thrown into the Apsus River, but despite the stone tied around his neck, the relic floated. It was found by the priest Markos and was buried at the Monastery of the Theotokos in Ardonitsa, Northern Epirus, where it was later discovered.

The official recognition of his sainthood was made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on April 20, 1961.

His words were prophetic, filled with divine grace and simplicity. Once, he said to the people of a village: “I came to your village and preached to you. It is only right that you reward me for my labor. With money, perhaps? What would I do with that? My payment is that you put the words of God in your hearts, so that you may gain eternal life.”

Pyrography: Characteristics

Pyrography is an art that attracts many creators due to the stunning results that can be achieved. It is a painting technique where the two primordial elements of Nature, wood and fire, are used. With patience and attention to detail, monks create pyrography images, paying great attention to every mistake as it cannot be corrected like pencil drawings.

This particular image combines the art of engraving with pyrography, giving an excellent relief effect.

The image is available upon request.