The Philermos Icon of the Mother of God 30x39 cm (12\"x15\") For Sale

OrthodoxThe Philermos Icon of the Mother of God– Handmade Wooden Religious Icon 30x39 cm (12\"x15\")

Few icons carry a history as extraordinary as the Philermos Icon of the Mother of God — an image venerated for nearly two thousand years, passed through the hands of apostles, crusaders, and emperors, and preserved by divine providence across continents and centuries.

According to ancient tradition, this icon was painted by the holy Evangelist Luke himself, who knew the Most Holy Theotokos in person and rendered her image from life. From Jerusalem it was brought to Constantinople, where it was enshrined in the great Blachernae Church — one of the most sacred Marian sanctuaries in the Christian world. In the thirteenth century, Crusaders took the icon from Constantinople, and from that point it passed into the keeping of the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, who venerated it as one of their most treasured relics and carried it with them across the Mediterranean world — to Rhodes, and finally to Malta.

When Napoleon\'s forces seized Malta in 1798, the Knights of Malta turned to Russia for protection and patronage. On October 12, 1799, they presented Emperor Paul I with three incomparable sacred treasures: a portion of the True and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, the right hand of Saint John the Baptist, and the Philermos Icon of the Mother of God. The Emperor received them at Gatchina, and that autumn the holy relics were transferred to Saint Petersburg, where they were placed in the church of the Saviour Not Made by Hands in the Winter Palace. The feast commemorating this event was established in 1800.

Feast Day: October 25

The meaning of this icon for the home:

The Philermos Icon carries within it an almost unbroken thread stretching from the hands of the Apostle Luke to the present day. To have this image in one\'s home is to stand in communion with the earliest centuries of the Church, with the knights who guarded it at the cost of their lives, and with the countless faithful who prayed before it across nearly two millennia. It is an icon of protection, of faithfulness through exile and upheaval, and of the enduring presence of the Mother of God with her people no matter where history carries them. This icon is a deeply meaningful gift for those with a love of Church history, for families seeking the intercession of the Theotokos, and for anyone who finds comfort in the knowledge that the Church\'s treasures — and God\'s mercy — outlast every storm.

🖼 ProductFeatures

Each icon in our workshop is made to last a lifetimeand beyond. The image is printed with rich, fade-resistant pigment inks on apremium solid-core wood panel — then hand-finished with a natural beeswaxcoating that deepens the colors, protects the surface, and gives each piece thewarm, reverent quality of a traditionally crafted sacred object. A metalhanging hook is included on the back, so your icon is ready to display themoment it arrives.

• Craftedon a premium wood panel — 1.6 cm (0.6\") thick, sturdy yet print — rich, true-to-life colors that last for generations
• Naturalbeeswax finish — hand-applied for depth, protection, and a traditional feel
• Readyto hang — metal hook pre-attached on the reverse
• Hand-finished byOrthodox Christian artisans in Portugal

AVAILABLE SIZES — CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT FIT

• Small — 12 × 15 cm / 5\" × 6\" — ideal for a personal prayer corner, desk, or gift
• Medium — 23 × 30 cm / 9\" × 12\" — the most popular choice for home display
• Large — 30 × 39 cm / 12\" × 15\" — a statement piece for any wall or altar space

THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY SACRED OCCASION

An Orthodox icon is not simply a decorative object — it is a blessing for the home and a window into the Kingdom of Heaven. This icon makes a deeply meaningful gift for:

• Baptisms and Chrismations
• Name days and feast days
• Weddings and anniversaries
• Housewarmings and new home blessings
• Christmas, Easter, and other major Orthodox feasts
• Anyone in need of comfort, prayer, or heavenly intercession

WORLDWIDE DELIVERY FROM PORTUGAL

Every order is carefully packed to protect the icon during transit and shipped worldwide with full tracking. We take great care with every package — your icon will arrive safely and ready to treasure.

MADE WITH FAITH, CRAFTED WITH CARE

Our icons are made in Portugal by Orthodox Christian artisans who approach each piece as an act of devotion as much as craft. From the selection of the wood panel to the final application of beeswax by hand, every step is carried out with the intention that this icon will become a lasting blessing — in your home, or in the home of someone you love.

We are proud to bring the living tradition of Orthodox Christian iconography to homes around the world.

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