Orthodox icon | Saint Great-Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki | 24751

Saint Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the Myroblyte, Remembrance Day on October 26th, lived in Thessaloniki at the time of the Diocletian persecution (303-311). He is depicted as a soldier on horseback and crowned by an angel. Christ blesses him. The present icon shows him killing a pagan falling to the ground with a lance. This could be Galerius who actually killed Demetrius. But here Demetrius is winning over Galerius.

It is said that Demetrios was stabbed to death in prison under Emperor Galerius at the beginning of the 4th century – at the time of the persecution of Christians – because he had strengthened the Christians in their faith. His grave was an important place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. Myron, which is said to have healing powers, still flows from the grave in the days before his festival. The depiction of the saint on this holy picture is strongly reminiscent of the dragon slayer pictures and sculptures of Saint George. According to legend, Demetrios was a brother of Georg.

He came from a powerful noble family in the province of Macedonia and was admired by everyone for his virtue, goodness and wisdom, which raised him above many an old man. He was an expert in the arts of war, and that is why the Caesar and later Augustas for the East, Galerius Maximinus, appointed him general of the Roman army in Thessaly and proconsul for Hellas, despite his young age.

A very high-quality icon with detail scenes and a particularly beautiful light border. The age is estimated to be between the late 19th century and 1900.