Handmade Byzantine Icon of Saint Afrodite.
Saint Afrodite was one of the Forty Holy Virgin Martyrs who lived in Adrianople in Thrace during the reign of Licinius. They were arrested by the ruler of the region with the demand to deny Christianity and embrace paganism.
The Virgins prayed in the house of Kelsina, together with their teacher, Ammoun, for the martyrdom that awaited them. When the ruler called them again to worship the idols, they remained faithful to Christ and with their prayer, the idols were destroyed while the priest was lifted into the air.
Enraged by this, the local ruler ordered their execution. Saint Afrodite was among them.
Dismissal hymn of the martyrs, Plagal First tone
O athletes of Christ, come and participate, And the forty maidens, along with pious Ammoun, Exalt with glorious festivities, For they fought the great fight, And by their ascesis in Christ, Were made powerful and radiant. Intercede to the Lord, For the salvation of our souls.
The Icon of Saint Afrodite 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: September 1
Iconographer: Sister Kassiani, Holy Monastery of the Annunciation, Patmos
Availability: Made to order, usually ships within 5 to 10 days.