Orthodox icon | Saint Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Alexandra | 24893

Saint Catherine was probably born in Cyprus and died around 307 in Alexandria, Egypt. Her name means “pure” in Greek.

According to legend, Catherine was the daughter of King Costus of Cyprus. When the emperor’s son wanted to marry the beautiful, highly educated and immeasurably rich woman, she looked into a mirror and saw that the suitor did not match her in terms of nobility, beauty, wealth and wisdom. She also proudly rejected other men. A hermit pointed her to Jesus Christ as the true bridegroom. She was baptized and saw a vision of the baby Jesus putting the engagement ring on her finger.

Her attributes are the broken wheel, the book, the sword and the crown. She is considered, among other things, as the patroness of girls, virgins, nuns, those willing to marry, philosophers, theologians and scholars, teachers and students, lawyers, librarians, bakers, book printers, secretaries, lawyers, notaries, shoemakers, hairdressers, seamstresses and all professions that to do with wheels; of hospitals, colleges and libraries; for migraines, headaches, diseases of the tongue and speech impediments; for finding drowned people. Her feast day is November 24.

Saint Alexandra was a virgin who suffered her martyrdom around 300 in Amisos in Pontus, today Samsun in Turkey. Her name means “the military woman” in Greek.

Alexandra (Alexandria), Claudia (Caldia), Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia and Theodosia (Theodora), the seven virgins, died as martyrs under Emperor Maximianus for the sake of their faith. Her feast day is March 20.

Poliment gilded background, engraved, hallmarked and partially polished. With colored ornaments.