Handmade Byzantine Icon of Saint Philothea of Athens.
Saint Philothea of Athens (née Rigula Benizelou) was born in 1522 in Athens to a noble family originally from Constantinople. Her parents married her off at a tender age to an older man, and a few years later she was widowed.
Her devotion to faith led her to the ascetic life and she became a nun with the name Philothei. She was active in philanthropy and strongly opposed the extortion practiced by the Ottomans to convert young girls to Mohammedanism.
In 1588, during the night of the feast of Saint Dionysios the Aeropagite, he was arrested and horribly tortured. A year later she died from her injuries.
Apolytikion
The famed city of Athens doth honour Philothei, the righteous Martyr, whose relics it now revereth with joy; for while living in sobriety and holiness, she hath exchanged all earthly things for the everlasting life through great contests as a Martyr; and she entreateth the Saviour to grant His mercy unto all of us.
The Icon of Saint Philothea of Athens is an exact copy of Byzantine art and is created by experienced craftsmen using the method of gold printing where hagiographic leaves of 22 karat gold are applied in detail to decorate the background.
During the final processing, the icon is painted with dark red color around the perimeter and polished with a special varnish to maintain its shine.
It is offered in level or recessed wooden surface and is suitable for wall mounting.
Feast: February 19
Iconographer: Sister Kipriani, Holy Monastery of the Annunciation, Patmoss
Availability: Made to order, usually ships within 5 to 10 days.
