Saint John the Forerunner – Colorful Engraved Pyrography

Description

Pyrography Depicting Saint John the Forerunner

Saint John prepared the world through his teachings to welcome the Messiah Jesus, hence the title “Forerunner.”

According to the Evangelist Luke, John was the son of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, who was a relative of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary). Regarding his conception and birth, which occurred six months before the birth of Jesus Christ, the Evangelist recounts miraculous events. Although Elizabeth was considered barren, the Archangel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that his wife would bear a son and that his name would be John. Initially, Zechariah did not believe Gabriel’s words, possibly suffering a shock during which he lost his speech (interpreted as punishment) and remained mute until the child’s naming. Eight days after the child’s birth, when asked to reveal the baby’s name, Zechariah wrote on a tablet, “John,” and his voice was immediately restored.

According to Luke’s account, John appears at the age of 30, by divine command, in the wilderness of Judea near the Jordan River, proclaiming: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and baptizing those who came to him. It was there that he met Jesus Christ, who asked to be baptized by him. Initially, John refused, saying he was unworthy to baptize the Messiah and that the Messiah should baptize him. However, Jesus insisted, and Saint John the Forerunner baptized Him in the waters of the Jordan River.

Both John’s appearance and his ascetic lifestyle (he wore a garment made of camel hair with a leather belt around his waist and his diet consisted of wild honey and locusts), along with his sermons and baptisms of repentance, naturally drew a large following of listeners and admirers, as well as the envy of many others.

He openly condemned the relationship of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, with Herodias, the wife of his brother. This led to John’s imprisonment and eventual beheading. During a birthday celebration, Herod promised his stepdaughter Salome anything she desired in exchange for her dance. Herodias, who hated John, saw her opportunity and instructed Salome to request the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

As a biblical figure, John is considered to stand at the crossroads of the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, he is viewed as a “Prophet” and messenger of God, while in the New Testament, he is recognized as the “Forerunner.”

Pyrography: Features

Pyrography is an art form that attracts many creators due to the impressive results it can achieve. It is a painting technique that utilizes two primal elements of nature: wood and fire. With patience and a keen eye for detail, monks create pyrographic icons, taking great care to avoid mistakes, as they cannot be corrected like pencil drawings.

This particular icon combines the art of engraving with pyrography, producing an exceptional embossed effect.