Saint Panteleimon – Serigraph on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Icon of Saint Panteleimon on Naturally Aged Wood

There are two key elements that give this particular icon its distinctive aesthetic value. One is the meticulously crafted depiction of Saint Panteleimon by the skilled monk artist, and the second is the naturally aged wood used as the base for the icon. The monks, paying attention to every small detail, create these icons on pieces of wood that come from the very “Garden of the Virgin” (Mount Athos). These woods are the result of restoration work carried out on cells that had suffered damage over time. The monks have processed and preserved them, giving them a new use, this time as the base for these beautiful icons.

Saint Panteleimon was born in Nicomedia, Bithynia, in Asia Minor. His father was a pagan, while his mother, Eubouli, who is also venerated as a saint, had converted to Christianity. After completing his studies in medicine, he was offered a position as a physician at the court of Emperor Diocletian. However, he met Saint Hermolaos and converted to Christianity. After the death of his father, he sold his inheritance and began offering free medical services to those in need.

However, his charitable practice led many doctors to denounce him, accusing him of being a Christian. He was summoned to the palace and asked to sacrifice to the idols to be set free. He refused, declaring that he would not sacrifice to false gods. To prove his faith, a paralyzed man was brought before him to be healed, either by him or by the court’s priests, in order to reveal the true God. Saint Panteleimon healed the paralyzed man, which caused great astonishment. Despite this, the Emperor attempted once more to convince him to renounce his faith.

Saint Panteleimon refused and was led to martyrdom. At various times, he was burned with torches, flogged, and had hot oil poured over him. Yet, in many of these instances, the tortures caused him no pain. Finally, they decided to throw him to the wild beasts, but the beasts did not harm him. Ultimately, he was beheaded. When his head was severed, milk flowed from his wound instead of blood—a miracle that showed how great a saint Saint Panteleimon truly was.

His feast day is celebrated on July 27th.

As the icon is handmade and the wood processing is done by hand, there may be small variations in the wood, but not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon request.

Dimensions: 25.5 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm