Handmade Byzantine Icon of Saint Elesa of Kythera.
Saint Elesa was born in Kythera to a pagan father and a Christian mother. During her teenage years, when she lost her mother, she decided to leave home and her authoritarian father, and find refuge in the mountains with her two maids.
However, her father discovered her in her new ascetic life and hunted her down to kill her. According to tradition, Saint Elesa prayed to God and begged him to split the mountain in half and hide her.
The miracle happened, however, Saint Elesa could not escape her father, who beheaded her on the top of the mountain. Over the years, the island's Christians built a Temple in her honor on the spot of her martydom.
Saint Elesa is the patron saint of Kythera, along with Saint Theodore of Kythera.
Apolytikion of Saint Elesa of Kythera
Holy offspring, of Peloponnesos, inspired honor, of the island of Kythera, you were shone to be, Elesa all-praised, having lawfully contested for Christ, and at the hands of your father your head was cut off, glorious Martyr, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy.
The Icon of Saint Elesa of Kythera 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: August 1
Iconographer: Liaouris Helias
Availability: Made to order, usually ships within 5 to 10 days.
