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

Description

Icon of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou on Naturally Aged Wood

An amazing serigraph of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou, who lived in the 9th century AD during the time of Empress Theodora, and whose feast day is celebrated on July 28th.

Saint Irene was born in Cappadocia and was known for her piety, beauty, and noble upbringing. Her gifts attracted a distinguished man, who asked for her hand in marriage, and they set off for Constantinople. However, during their journey, as they passed by the Monastery of Chrysovalantou, her interaction with the nuns was so appealing that she decided to stay with them. She returned to her homeland, sold her possessions to help many poor people, and donated the remaining money to the monastery. She renounced the world and became a nun, living an ascetic life, and was later appointed abbess.

One year, while the saint was staying awake in prayer, she received a vision of a sailor who brought her three apples “a blessing from Heaven to eat and rejoice.” These are the “apples of barrenness,” which have helped thousands of faithful women conceive. For this reason, Saint Irene is considered the protector of pregnancy.

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

Since the icon is handmade and the wood is processed by hand, there may be small variations in the wood, but not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon order.

Dimensions: 25 x 38 x 2.5 cm