The Story Behind This Icon:
Saint Arsenios was born in 1840 in Pharassa of Cappadocia, in a small Christian village. He experienced the mysteries of Christ firsthand as a young boy, being saved from drowning by Saint George himself. Arsenios decided from that age that he would become a monk when he came of age. He was sent away to be educated in a more central city, but when he visited home, he always taught the children of the village everything he had learned.
At twenty six years old, Saint Arsenios became a monk at the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Cappadocia. After a short time at the monastery, he was ordained a Deacon and sent to his home village as a teacher. He taught the children how to read and write in Greek in secret, as Greece was under Turkish rule. He became a priest at thirty years of age. He began to perform miracles and he was known very well around the land. His healing abilities were so profound that even Turks themselves would come to be healed. He protected his village as he could, but eventually the exchange of populations came and they were removed from their village. Saint Arsenios prophesied his death, stating that he would die 40 days after arriving in Greece.
Saint Arsenios' feast day is celebrated on November 10.
Explore Saint Paisios' book on Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian!
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This icon of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian 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.
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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.
