Saint Irene Chrysovalantou – Silkscreen on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Silkscreen of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou on Naturally Aged Wood

An exquisite silkscreen of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou, who lived in the 9th century AD during the reign of Empress Theodora. Her memory is honored on July 28.

She was born in Cappadocia and was renowned for her piety, beauty, and noble upbringing. Her virtues attracted a distinguished suitor who sought her hand in marriage, and they set out for Constantinople. However, on their journey, they passed by the Chrysovalantou Monastery, and her interaction with the nuns moved her deeply. Inspired, she decided to stay with them. Returning to her hometown, she sold her possessions to aid the poor and donated the remainder to the monastery. Renouncing worldly life, she became a nun, living an ascetic life, and was later appointed abbess.

One year, during a night vigil of prayer, she received, through a vision, a sailor who brought her three apples saying they were a “blessing from Paradise for her to eat and rejoice.” These became known as the “apples of childlessness,” which have helped thousands of faithful women conceive. For this reason, Saint Irene is considered the protector of pregnancy.

The naturally aged wood used in this icon of Saint Irene comes from Mount Athos.

As the icon is handcrafted and the wood is manually processed, slight variations in the wood may occur, but not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon request.

Dimensions: 25 x 33 x 2.5 cm

Origin: Mount Athos