St. Maurice Icon

$ 19.00

Mounted on wood Sizes

3 X 5 4 X 6 5 X 7 6 X 8 8 X 11

Quantity

Orthodox icon of Saint Maurice.

Commemorated Sept 22.

St. Maurice was captan of a legion of soldier who were martyred in the year 286 for their faith in Christ. He and Sts. Exuperius, Candidus, Victor, Innocent, and their 6,600 companions were sent from Egypt to Agaunum (15 miles from Lake Geneva) to put down a rebellion against Roman authority. When the commander ordered sacrifices and oaths in preparation for battle, the whole legion refused to honor the pagan Gods. Maurice encouraged them to remain true to their faith in Christ.

When Emperor Maximian who was in a near-by place called Octudurum. heard this news, he repeatedly commanded them to obey his rules and orders. After their constant and unanimous refusal, he ordered the legion to be "decimated". At first every tenth man was put to death hoping to bring the other to obey out of fear. Since they stood firm to their faith a second "decimation" was ordered but they all declared that they would never allow themselves to carry out such a sacrilegious order.

They had all been brought up as christians and were instructed in the One Eternal God and were ready to suffer extreme penalties rather than do any thing contrary to their religion. Saint Maurice has always been one of the most popular saints in Western Europe, with over 650 foundations in his name in France alone. Five cathedrals, innumerable churches, chapels and alters are consecrated in his name all over Europe. Aguanum (Saint Maurice en Valais) has always remained the main focus of veneration of the Thebans and a significant pilgrimage resort. In the monastery that bears his name there, the monks perform a special devotion to the saints every day.

Customer Reviews

No reviews yet Write a review

We find this name of our God in two Biblical Books. The first is in the Book of Daniel and it was a vision that Daniel's had: "I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire."A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, And the books were opened”.

The second is in the book of Revelation 1/A 12-18: "I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands and among the lamp stands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

In the art of the orthodox iconography, sometimes Christ portrayed as an Elderly, as the “Ancient of the Days”, to symbolically show His existence in eternity and some times like a young “person” to demonstrate His incarnation. This tendency of hagiography appeared in the 6th century AD, especially in the Eastern Byzantine Empire.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review

Next: St. Maximus Kavsokalyves of Mount Athos icon (1)

Back to Icons

Next: St. Maximus Kavsokalyves of Mount Athos icon (1)