Saint John the Theologian – Serigraph on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Icon of Saint John the Theologian on Naturally Aged Wood

An amazing serigraph depicting Saint John the Theologian on naturally aged wood from the Holy Mountain. The Church commemorates his feast day on May 8th and September 26th.

Saint John the Theologian, the beloved disciple of the Lord, is known as “the one who leaned on the breast of Jesus.” He is also called the Evangelist of love, not only because he often refers to love in his writings, but primarily because he lived and expressed it. He loved his Teacher deeply, following Him even during the most difficult moments of His earthly life. While the other disciples were hiding “for fear of the Jews,” John was present at His arrest, trial, and on Golgotha, where, in those critical moments, Christ entrusted His mother to him.

John honored the Lord’s wish and cared for the Virgin Mary as his true mother until her Dormition. Together with his brother James and Peter, he formed the inner circle of disciples who were with Christ at the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, on Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them, and in Gethsemane, where He prayed before His Passion.

John is the author of the 4th Gospel in the New Testament, the most theological of all, often referred to as the Gospel of love, as well as three Catholic Epistles and the Book of Revelation.

His life near the Lord is known through the New Testament Gospels. John continued his work even after Christ’s Ascension. He and Peter were the first to preach the Word of the Lord to the world after the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Tradition tells us that John preached the Gospel in Asia Minor, particularly in Ephesus. During the reign of Emperor Domitian, he was tortured and exiled to Patmos, where he wrote Revelation. In old age, he returned to Ephesus, where he completed his Gospel.

John lived about 100 years (he passed peacefully around 105-106 AD). However, what is particularly notable is the phrase he often said to his disciples: “Children, love one another.” When his disciples asked him why he always repeated this, he replied, “Because it is the Lord’s commandment, and when this alone is done, it is enough.”

According to tradition, after divine inspiration, John foresaw his transfer from this life to the eternal one. He gathered his disciples and went out from Ephesus, where he pointed to a spot to dig a tomb. Once the tomb was opened, he entered alive and peacefully fell asleep. This tomb became a source of healing thereafter.

Since 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 itself.

The icon is available upon order.

Origin: Mount Athos

Dimensions: 25.5 x 30 x 2.5 cm