Saint Xenia – Antiqued Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Antiqued Lithograph with Saint Xenia

Saint Xenia lived in the 5th century AD. Her name was originally Eusebia, and she came from Rome.

Rejecting the pressure from her parents to marry a man of their choosing, she secretly left for Alexandria, where she changed her name to Xenia to erase any trace of her. She went to the island of Kos and later settled in Mylassa, Caria. There, along with two faithful maidservants, she built a church in the name of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr and monastic cells for a life of solitude.

Her virtuous and ascetic life quickly gained fame, and many young women, desiring a life of asceticism and prayer, gathered around her. The monastery became a renowned spiritual center where many women came daily to seek the saint’s counsel and prayers.

Her sanctity was recognized during the burial of her sacred body when a cross, formed by stars, appeared in the sky.

The Church honors her memory on January 24th.

Antiqued Lithograph: Characteristics

In this particular image, the iconographer monk used the lithography technique to create a uniquely beautiful work. Specifically, using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk created this piece by following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught to him in the iconography workshops of the Athonite Monastic State. Moreover, the artificial aging of the icon is handmade, a process in which the monks of Mount Athos place great emphasis.

Origin: Mount Athos