The Story Behind This Icon:
Saint Porphyrios was born in 1907 in a small village in Evoia, Greece. Still a young boy, he decided he wanted to become a monk and took a boat to Thessaloniki in order to find his way to Mount Athos. He pretended to be the nephew of a monk named Panteleimon, who became his spiritual father at Kafsokalivia. Saint Porphyrios became a monk at the age of fourteen. A few years later, an accident which almost led to his death if not for the intercession of the Theotokos, led him to return home to Evoia due to health concerns. He lived at the monastery of Saint Charalambos, where he was tonsured as a priest and eventually became a confessor. Many people came to visit him and he became well known around Greece for his spiritual capabilities.
He later served as the priest for the Polyclinic Hospital in Athens, spending thirty three years there. By that time, he was sixty six years old, but Saint Porphyrios still wanted to do one thing in his life: build a monastery. Finding land on a hilltop in Milesi of Greece, he founded the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration. After living and catering to his new monastery for many years, he returned to Mount Athos and spent the last few years of his life in his old cell. He fell asleep in 1991.
Saint Porphyrios' feast day is celebrated on December 2.
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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.
Our most popular dimensions are pictured, to scale.
Depending on the size and theme, Holy Icons are available in both Recessed and Level styles.
RECESSED
The groove in our recessed icons adds depth to the Iconography, making the icon even more dramatic and impressive. In order to keep the relative proportions, the depth of the groove changes with the size of the Holy Icon.
LEVEL
Level icons allow the Iconography to retain its boldness even in smaller sizes. As such most of our level icons have smaller dimensions.
Backside details vary with icon size and serve to ensure that your Holy Icon will stand the test of time.
Solid wooden icons of larger dimensions are prone to bending and damaging as time passes. Fortunately, our Holy Icons are supported by two additional, horizontal wooden protective panels on the backside. These panels bolster the icon and allow it to sustain its shape, ensuring that your Holy Icon will remain in its original, pristine condition as it is passed down from generation to generation.
Icons of smaller dimensions are naturally sustainable over time, and experience less structural stress. As such, you will find that the backside of smaller Holy Icons is flat and proportional to their shape.
