Saint Lydia icon, Handmade Greek Orthodox icon of St Lydia, Byzantine art wall hanging icon wood plaque, religious gift

This byzantine icon is a lithography with double varnish layer to ensure vivid colors and waterproof properties depicting Saint Lydia,is a god inspired artwork abiding to the Athonian technique that was gives this icon unique religious and aesthetic value.

The holy and glorious Martyr Lydia the Martyr was the wife of Philetus, a Roman official at the court of Emperor Hadrian. Early in the second century, she accepted martyrdom with her family during the persecution under Hadrian after having openly confessed their faith in Christ the savior. She is commemorated on March 23.

Lydia and her husband Philetus were Christians who lived according to Christ's teachings and were especially diligent in the education of their sons Macedonius and Theoprepius. Lydia was a kind and loving mother and the principal educator of her sons. She tried to ensure her sons were educated in the spirit of Christianity by personal and living examples in accordance with Jesus' teachings.

Lydia, with her husband Philetus and their sons Macedonius and Theoprepius, lived in the city of Rome during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117 to 138). Having openly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ, Lydia and her family were seized and subjected to interrogation during a period of persecution about the year 121. Having not satisfied the interrogators, Hadrian sent the family was sent to Illyria to be tortured under the governor, Amphilochius.

Upon their arrival in Illyria, Amphilochius had them submit to torture by suspending them from trees and having their bodies scraped and cut by knives, after which they were thrown into prison. There they were joined by the jailer Cronides, who also had made known that he was a believer in Christ. During the night, an angel appeared to them while they were praying and singing praises to God. The appearance of the angel strengthened them for their coming martyrdom.