Icon with the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius - embroidered, framed, 21x27cm
The Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, the Fountain of Miracles or Saint Dimitrios, was a defender of the Christian faith in the third century, living in the city of Thessaloniki during the reign of Emperors Maximian and Diocletian. He suffered martyrdom in the year 306.
Due to his confession of Christ at the cost of his life, Saint Dimitrios received from God the gift of spiritual and physical healings, which he bestows upon all who pray to him with love and faith. The Church honors him in its calendar on October 26th.
In this icon, Saint Dimitrios is depicted bearing military symbols: the sword in his left hand, the spear in his right, and a circular shield fixed behind him.
He is represented according to the tradition of Byzantine painting by Dionysius of Furna, under the image of a tall young man, with a vigorous body and the beginning of a mustache. His clothing includes a red tunic, called a skaramangion, with long and tight sleeves, over which he wears decorated armor and a long mantle, a himation, tied over his left shoulder.
Dimitrios, a young man faithful and well-educated, was the prefect of Thessaloniki. Through his courageous confession for Christ and the conversion of many to faith, he was imprisoned and then killed with spears, by the order of Emperor Maximian.
His holy body was honored by the faithful, and from his tomb began to flow drops of fragrant myrrh, through which countless miracles and healings were accomplished.
Therefore, Saint Dimitrios, the Great Martyr and Fountain of Miracles, is venerated as a great miracle worker and is known to this day as a great miracle worker.
