Icon within kyot, complex, tempera, kyot of linden tree; fogged subframe, gilded brass frame, glass. Silkscreen painting.
Size: 7 x 8 in
History of the Saint:
Demetrius of Thessaloniki, or "Dmitry Solynski", was a Greek Christian martyr, born to pious noble Christian parents in Thessaloniki, the Roman province of Macedonia in 270 AD.
He rose to a high military position under Galerius Maximian of the Eastern Roman Empire. Demetrius remained fervent in faith and works for Christ, encouraging many Christians to endure persecution and even bringing many pagans to the faith.
When Maximian celebrated his triumph by pagan games and sacrifices in Thessaloniki, Demetrius was denounced by pagans, who were envious of his success, and was thrown into prison. There he helped a young Christian prisoner, Nestor, to defeat a pagan champion in the arena, and was run through with spears in around 306 AD at the emperor's order. Nestor was executed by beheading.
St. Demetrius is revered as the patron saint of Thessaloniki as having intervened to save the city over the years from foreign invasions, and is remembered in the Hellenic world. His tomb containing his relics is now in the crypt of the Church of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki.