Orthodox icon | Five Saints | 24475

Saint Martyr Paul, the Apostle (June 29), was a successful missionary of early Christianity according to the New Testament and one of the first Christian theologians. He changed from persecuting Christians to becoming an apostle of the nations. Like Peter, Paul is said to have been martyred with the sword.

Saint Martyr Philip of Nicomedia (August 17), lived at the time of the Roman emperors, when Nicomedia was the capital of the eastern half of the empire. He, with a group of others, used to go to the entrance of the amphitheater to preach the truth of Christ to pagans and to encourage them to renounce idolatry and their wild pleasures. Eventually they were arrested and beheaded after being tortured for a long time.

Saint Great Martyr George, the Victorious (April 23) was a famous Christian saint who suffered martyrdom at the beginning of the persecution of Christians under Diocletian (284-305). He is considered the legendary dragon slayer who saved the princess and converted the city to Christianity. He is one of the fourteen Helpers in Need.

Saint Hieromartyr Cyril the Deacon (March 29), was seized and killed by pagans in Heliopolis in Phenicia, because he destroyed numerous idols under Saint Constantine.

Saint Great-Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki (October 26), was an important saint in the Orthodox Church. Despite his young age, Maximinus Daia appointed him general of the Roman army in Thessaly and proconsul for Hellas. He was a very successful general. Disapproving pagans reported him to Maximinus as a Christian, who had him pierced with spears after he confessed his faith without hesitation.

On the left:

Saint Great-Martyr Nicetas the Goth (September 15). When the Goths persecuted the Christians, he too was killed around 370 for his faith.

On the right:

Saint Prophet Elijah (July 20), was a biblical prophet who lived in the time of Kings Ahab and Ahaziah in the 9th century in the northern Kingdom of Israel. One of the most famous legends is the ascension of Elijah, which is regarded as a prefiguration of the ascension of Christ.

Above:

The Mandylion: the “non-human-made image” of Christ from the city of Edessa.

Gilded halos.