Saint Stylianos – Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Lithograph of Saint Stylianos

Saint Stylianos came from a wealthy family, but from a young age, he was taught by his parents to be ascetic and to view money as a means of relieving and caring for the poor and the sick. When his parents passed away, he distributed all his inheritance and went to live as a hermit in the desert. His reputation spread even to the cities, and many people came to seek spiritual guidance from him. Despite his solitary life, Saint Stylianos had a deep affection for children. He explained that childhood is, by nature, more virtuous. Often, parents would bring their children to him, and the joy of the Saint was immense. In reward for this sacred sentiment, God blessed the Saint with the gift of healing sick children and assisting childless women.

Lithograph: Characteristics

In the image depicting Saint Stylianos, the iconographer monk used the technique of lithography to create a work of unique beauty. Specifically, by using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk crafted this piece following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. The artificial aging of the icon is handmade, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos give special importance.

Origin: Mount Athos