St Stephen the Protomartyr Icon

Saint Stephen, the Protomartyr, is honored in the Church as the first Christian martyr for Jesus Christ. After Pentecost, as the early Church expanded, the apostles established the diaconate to care for widows, orphans, and new converts, electing Saint Stephen as the head deacon due to his eloquent preaching and theological debate skills. His powerful sermons attracted attention but also drew hostility from certain Jewish groups, leading to his false accusation of blasphemy and subsequent execution by stoning in 34 AD. Saul, the future Apostle Paul, was present at his death, holding the garments of those who stoned him.

Each icon of Saint Stephen reflects the artistry of lacquered icons workshop, where we create folding icons, crosses, and various-sized icons.

The creation process begins with preparing wooden boards, which are cut into smaller panels and smoothed into refined oval shapes. These panels are transformed into polished lamellas that are then glued together to form a solid base. After selecting and laminating images stored for this purpose, artisans fit these images to the panels, cutting and verifying their symmetry before applying special glue to secure them. A final polish enhances durability and aesthetics.

Once the icons are fully dried, they undergo a blessing ritual, with a stamp of authenticity from the convent placed on the back. Each lacquered icon, crafted through this meticulous process, serves as thoughtful gift, or as part of your prayer corner.