Saint Joseph of Vatopedi – Silk Screen Print on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos
$36
$62.64
Description A beautiful icon created by a monk on Mount Athos. The unique feature of this icon is that it is based on wood from a restored monastic cell. The Blessed Elder Joseph was born on July 1, 1921, the feast day of Saints Cosmas and Damian (the Holy Unmercenaries). He reposed on the same day, July 1, 2009. He is one of the modern Athonite Orthodox figures, who, as it appears, were under the protection of the Holy Unmercenaries. When Elder Joseph’s mother was pregnant with him, she visited a small monastery dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian in the Yolou region of Cyprus, to pray for a safe pregnancy. There, while seven months pregnant, she began experiencing premature labor pains and gave birth to the Elder in the monastery’s courtyard. After his repose, the first miracle of Elder Joseph of Vatopedi occurred. At the time of his repose, his mouth remained slightly open. When the time came to prepare his body according to monastic custom, Elder Ephraim instructed that his face be left uncovered. The fathers tried to close his mouth, but it would not close. They sewed him into his monastic robe, as is customary, and then cut the fabric around his face as instructed by Elder Ephraim. It was then, an hour and a half after his repose, that they found Elder Joseph smiling! This is a miracle that the Divine Grace performs, which cannot be scientifically explained. Only a devout and humble Christian can truly feel and understand the significance of this great event. This particular icon, like all others in this category, is painted on naturally aged wood that comes from a cell on Mount Athos. Through the “Athonite Heritage,” these collectible icons can be held by people who long to possess a piece of the living Athonite tradition. As the icon is handmade and the wood is processed manually, there may be slight variations in the wood itself, but not in the depiction. The icon is available upon request. Origin: Mount Athos Dimensions: 20 x 30 x 2 cm
