The Story Behind This Icon:

This is an iconographic posture of Jesus Christ the Lifegiver. Jesus Christ gives us his blessing with His right hand and holds the Gospel with His left hand, and is here to teach us about eternal life. The IC and XC letters on the left and right upper corner are the Greek abbreviations for the words “Jesus Christ”.

***

This icon of Jesus Christ the Lifegiver is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

This icon is made of solid, natural Limewood that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

The icon of the Resurrection, also known as “Christ’s Descent into Hades” and “the Anastasis”, is the icon of Easter, celebrating Jesus’ triumph over death. The icon depicts Jesus Christ descending into Hades and pulling Adam and Eve from the tombs, symbolizing His victory back to the very beginning of mankind. The two golden bars under Jesus’ feet (note that His feet and hands still carry the signs of His crucifixion) are the gates of Hades which He has broken open. On the left of the icon, we see David and Solomon, representing those who died before Jesus’ crucifixion, waiting patiently in Hades for their Messiah. On the right side of the icon, we see Abel as a shepherd, the first person to die as a result of the Fall, as well as Saint John the Baptist. In the darkness below, keys, locks & chains symbolize that He has entered and conquered both death and Hades.

***

This icon of The Resurrection is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

 ***

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

This beautiful icon is the traditional scene of the biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings, presenting their gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) to the newborn baby Jesus. The Magi were astronomers from Persia, and saw the star years before Christ’s birth. Having never before seen anything like this, they decided to travel to the star. Upon arrival in Bethlehem, they found the stable in which Jesus was born and bestowed their gifts.

In that same area of Bethlehem, shepherds who were tending their sheep,  also saw an extraordinary light surrounding them as well as an Angel who proclaimed to them the news of the Lord’s joyous Nativity, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men” (Luke 2:8-14), was heard from the Heavenly Powers.

Work of the iconographer Lazaros Pechlivanidis. 

***

Note: This icon has a level frontside on all dimensions. 

This icon is made of solid, natural Limewood that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made…
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us;
and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him”

John 1:1-3, 14, 16

***

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. 

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

This icon is also available in smaller dimensions, as our Mother of God icon.

The Story Behind This Icon:

The icon of the Panagia Eleoussa (also Virgin of Tenderness) is known for showing mercy. The icon depicts the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus Christ who is nestling against her cheek and wraps his arm around His Mother’s neck. The term “Eleoussa” translates from the Greek “to show mercy”.

***

This icon of the Panagia Eleoussa is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

This icon is made of solid, natural Limewood that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

For larger dimensions, please visit our icon of the Panagia Eloussa. 

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

***

This icon of Mother of God is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

The Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on October 28 (moved by the Church of Greece from October 1 to coincide with “Oxi Day” in honor of the Theotokos’s protection of the Greek armed forces in their resistance of the Axis invasion). This commemorates the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God at the Blachernae Church in Constantinople in the mid-tenth century. It was in this church where the robe, veil and part of the belt of the Theotokos were preserved after being recovered from Palestine in the fifth century. On Sunday October 1, during an all night vigil, when the church was overflowing with the faithful, the Fool-for-Christ Saint Andrew, at four o'clock in the morning, beheld the Theotokos appearing above the people, holding her omophorion outstretched as a protective covering. She was clothed in gold-encrusted royal purple, and shone with an ineffable radiance, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs and virgins.

Our Beloved Holy Mother tearfully prayed for Christians for a long time, coming near the bishop's throne to continue her prayer. After, she took her veil and spread it over the people praying in the church, protecting them from enemies visible and invisible, resplendent with heavenly glory and gleaming like the rays of the sun. Saint Andrew gazed trembling at the miraculous vision and asked his disciple, named Epiphanius, standing beside him, "Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos, praying for all the world?" Epiphanius answered, "I do see, holy father, and I am in awe."

The Holy Icon pictured here is our Icon of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. On this glorious Feast we implore the defense and assistance of the Queen of Heaven, "Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you."

***

This icon is made of solid, natural Limewood that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

This icon is a replica of the original Holy Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos, a miraculous wall-painting/icon found in the Docheiariou Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece dating to the 11^th century. Holy Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos is known for responding quickly to prayers.

In 1646, a monk of the monastery lost his sight after disobeying for the second time the voice of the Icon (which he initially believed was from a human being) commanding him not to pass by the Icon with the smoke from his lighted torch.  Following the loss of his sight, the monk spent his days in front of the Icon praying to the Holy Virgin Mary for forgiveness. His prayers were granted when, for the third time he heard a voice from the Icon: “Today I give you your sight and from this time on, do not pass through here with lighted torches, I am the Guardian of this monastery and I respond quickly to those who call me.  From now on my name is “Gorgoepikoos” (She Who Is Quick to Hear)."  Since then, the Holy Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos has responded to many prayers with miracles.

The icon is remembered by the church on October 1.

***

This icon is made of solid, natural Limewood that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

Handmade by monks in Mount Athos, this waxed thread knitted cross with a center bead is long enough to be worn as a necklace or hung from a car rearview mirror. 

This cross makes the perfect small gift for multiple occasions and is suitable for women, men and young adults! 

Choose between two color and two cord sizes.

The dimensions of the cross and rope may slightly vary as this is a handmade product. No two items are exactly identical. 

Medium cord size: 11.2” 

Large cord size: 13” 

Cross size: 1.3” x 0.8” x 0.2”

This knitted cross was meticulously handcrafted by monks in Mount Athos. While crafting each cross, the monks are simultaneously engaged in prayer and concentration, making these items a true blessing! With the purchase of this item you are also supporting the monastic communities of Mount Athos, Greece. 

Not recommended for children. 

This wooden cross, entirely carved by hand, is the handiwork of the monk Father Galaktion of Saint Dimitrios' Cell* in Kapsala, Mount Athos, Greece.

The cross is made of boxwood, a type of wood with a smooth texture, ideal for carving as it holds crisp and fine details. Boxwood has a yellowish color but acquires an elegant darker patina over time.

Hold the cross in your hand as a praying tool, or wear it as a necklace (a black satin cord is included).

Wood tone and wood grain, carving details and dimensions may vary as this is a handmade product. 

*The ascetic Cell of Saint Dimitrios belonged priorly to Father Irodion of Kapsala, the Holy Fool (1904-1990).

Total cord length: 29.5" (75 cm)

This item was meticulously handcrafted by monks in Mount Athos. While crafting each one, the monks are simultaneously engaged in prayer and concentration, making these items a true blessing! With the purchase of this item, you are also supporting the monastic communities of Mount Athos, Greece. 

This beautiful Pendant Necklace is crafted with walnut wood. Wear it as a necklace or use it as a praying tool. It can also be used as a car rearview mirror pendant. 

Approximate length of the necklace: 24" 

Approximate size of the cross: 1.3" x 0.8" x 0.15"

Choose between light wood or dark wood.

With the purchase of this item you are supporting the monastic communities of Mount Athos, Greece.

Small cross made of pine wood on a black cord. The open-end cord allows you to adjust the length of the pendant. 

Cross size: 0.8" x 1.3" x 0.1" (2 x 3.3 x 0.4 cm) 

Cord size: 28" (71 cm)

Dimensions may slightly vary. 

While crafting each piece, the monks are simultaneously engaged in prayer and concentration, making these items a true blessing! With the purchase of this item, you are also supporting the monastic communities of Mount Athos, Greece. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

Saint George lived in the late 3rd century, under Diocletian’s rule of the Roman Empire, an emperor who harshly persecuted Christians. He joined the Roman army at a very young age, and found much success in the military, progressing to a high rank. In the year 303 A.D, Diocletian called an assembly with some of his top generals, Saint George being among them and asked them to make pagan sacrifices as an act of allegiance to Diocletian and the Roman Empire. While the other generals pledged themselves to paganism and the Roman Empire, Saint George proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ. After enduring several horrendous acts of torture, Saint George was beheaded. In this icon, Saint George is shown slaying a dragon. The story states that the dragon terrorized the city of Atalia and that the citizens were forced to sacrifice a girl to the dragon annually. Saint George subdued the dragon and placed it under the control of the king. The fathers of the Church believe that this portrayal of Saint George represents him conquering evil and Diocletian as the dragon.

Saint George is commemorated on April 23 or on the Monday after Easter.

***

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

The Church commemorates Saint John the Baptist each year on January 7th. 

Saint John the Baptist was the last prophet of the Old Testament and has become one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox Church. He was a preacher from a young age and proclaimed that baptism was for the forgiveness of sins. For this reason, he is also called Saint John the Forerunner as he declared that “another will come after him Who will not baptize with water but with the Holy Spirit." Although the Lord Himself had no need of the remission of sins, He nevertheless came to John “to be baptized by him and to fulfill all righteousness” (Matth. 3, 13-15).

Saint John had a martyric end: following the Baptism of Jesus Christ, he was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, the governor of Galilee whom he had openly denounced for having left his lawful wife for the wife of his brother Philip, Herodias. On Herod’s birthday feast, Herodias’ daughter Salome, danced with Herod who, in turn, promised to give her whatever she asked for. After consulting with her wicked mother, Salome asked to be given the head of John the Baptist on a plate. Herod gave the order to cut off the head of John and give it to Salome.

Joanna, the pious wife of Herod buried the head of John the Baptist on the Mount of Olives. The body of  John the Baptist was taken that night by the disciples of Jesus Christ who buried it at Sebastia.

Apolytikion of Synaxis of John the Baptist:

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

***

This icon of Saint John the Baptist is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection "Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

Explore other icons of St. Paisios:

St. Paisios of Mount Athos ~ St. Paisios the Athonite 

The Story Behind This Icon:

Saint Paisios was born in the early 1920s in the small town of Farasa, in Cappadocia, where the town priest was Saint Arsenios. Saint Paisios led a normal life and grew up to join the army during the Greek Civil War. He insisted on never firing a weapon, and therefore served as a radio operator. Once, during a battle, his unit was under heavy fire, but he prayed to the Panagia to intercede, and she quickly did, saving him and his unit. Following the Civil War, Saint Paisios became a monk, arriving on Mount Athos in 1950. He first settled at the monastery of Esphigmenou, before leaving for Philotheou. Later in life, Paisios suffered from lung problems and had to leave for Thessaloniki to be treated. During his time outside of Mt. Athos, he stayed with the Sisterhood of St. John the Theologian in Souroti, just outside of Thessaloniki. Saint Paisisos returned after a couple of years of treatment to live in the cell of Panagouda, which belongs to the Koutloumousiou Monastery. It was there where Saint Paisios became widely known. Many people from around the world came to see and speak with him. Saint Paisios had many God-given abilities and helped many who came to him, simultaneously praying for the entire world. In 1993, Saint Paisios left the Holy Mountain due to health issues. Saint Paisios lived for others, not caring at all for himself, which left him in a weakened health state. He slept in Christ in 1994 in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Souroti, Greece.

Saint Paisios' feast day is celebrated on July 12.

His biography can be found here, as written by the Sisters from the Holy Hesychasterion "Evangelist John the Theologian".

***

This icon of Saint Paisios is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

Saint Catherine lived in the late 3rd century, in Alexandria, Egypt. Born into a wealthy and powerful family, Saint Catherine was also remarkably intelligent and beautiful. She was raised Christian in secret by her mother. During an especially large pagan festival, Saint Catherine was inspired by the Christian martyrs sacrificing their lives for their faith and went to the ruler of the state, Maximinus, to proclaim her Christianity. Maximinus was charmed by Catherine’s beauty, so he tried to convert her to paganism by bringing 50 of the states wisest pagan men to sponsor a debate. He wagered that if Catherine lost a single one of the disputes, she would have to convert; but she didn’t. She won every debate, and Maximinus resorted to tempting her with riches to convert. After she refused, she was jailed and tortured on a spiked wheel which miraculously broke sending blades flying in all directions and wounding the soldiers. Eventually, she was beheaded and her body was carried from a flight of angels to Mount Sinai.

Saint Catherine's feast day is celebrated on November 25.

***

This icon of Saint Catherine is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

The icon of the Resurrection, also known as “Christ’s Descent into Hades” and “the Anastasis”, is the icon of Easter, celebrating Jesus’ triumph over death. The icon depicts Jesus Christ descending into Hades and pulling Adam and Eve from the tombs, symbolizing His victory back to the very beginning of mankind. The two golden bars under Jesus’ feet (note that His feet and hands still carry the signs of His crucifixion) are the gates of Hades which He has broken open. On the left of the icon, we see David and Solomon, representing those who died before Jesus’ crucifixion, waiting patiently in Hades for their Messiah. On the right side of the icon, we see Abel as a shepherd, the first person to die as a result of the Fall, as well as Saint John the Baptist. In the darkness below, keys, locks & chains symbolize that He has entered and conquered both death and Hades.

***

This icon of The Resurrection is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection “Icons from Mount Athos”, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

 ***

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

This icon portrays the Annunciation of the Theotokos, a feast which is celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before the Nativity. This feast celebrates the day on which the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to ask her if she wanted to be the mother of God. Mary was selected by God as the most pure woman on the planet, but was not forced to give birth to Christ. She was given the option to decline, but chose to be the mother of God. On that day, the first cells of Christ appeared inside of Mary’s womb, but Mary remained a virgin, as no man ever touched her.

At the very top part of the icon, the half circle is the Kingdom of God with three rays representing the presence of the Holy Spirit directed to the Virgin Mary. The Archangel Gabriel holds a stick which is the symbol of a messenger. His feet are spread to show the movement of running. On the right side of the icon, the Virgin Mary is seated, but elevated, a sign that as the Mother of God she is “greater in honor than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word”. The movement of her right hand shows that she responds by accepting Gabriel’s message. In her left hand, the Virgin Mary holds a spindle of scarlet yarn, symbolizing the task of preparing the purple and scarlet material to be used in making the veil for the Temple in Jerusalem.  

***

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.