Saint Hermenegild the Goth Icon — Visigothic Prince-Martyr

Icon of Saint Hermenegild or Ermengild the Goth 

Saint Hermenegild was the eldest son of Leovigild, king of the Visigoths, a ruler who held to the Arian heresy. When Hermenegild left his father's court to govern one of the kingdom's provinces, he came under the influence of Bishop Leander of Hispalis (Seville), whose preaching led him to embrace the Orthodox faith.

His father first attempted persuasion, then turned to threats, demanding that his son abandon what he considered a dangerous error. Hermenegild refused, and the conflict between them grew so severe that he rose up in rebellion against his heretical father. The revolt ultimately failed: Leovigild ordered Bishop Leander banished from the country, while Hermenegild was cast into prison and, still refusing to renounce his Orthodox confession, was put to death by his father's command.

According to the testimony of Pope Gregory the Great, Leovigild came to repent of what he had done and, in time, recognized the truth of the Orthodox faith his son had died defending. Fear of his court and subjects kept him from admitting this publicly, yet shortly before his death he allowed Bishop Leander to return to Spain and entrusted him with the religious instruction of his younger son and heir, Reccared. Gregory the Great records that Leovigild, on his deathbed, charged Reccared with the task of leading the Visigoths to the Orthodox faith — a charge his son would later fulfill.

Saint Hermenegild stands as a witness to steadfast faith held even at the cost of one's own life, and to the power of a single act of conviction to change the course of a kingdom long after the martyr's death.

His feast day is celebrated on April 13.

This icon - El Triunfo de San Hermenegildo by Francisco Herrera the Younger (1654) Prado Museum, Madrid.

🖼 Product Features

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

• Crafted on a premium wood panel — 1.6 cm (0.6") thick, sturdy yet lightweight
• Fade-resistant pigment print — rich, true-to-life colors that last for generations
• Natural beeswax finish — hand-applied for depth, protection, and a traditional feel
• Ready to hang — metal hook pre-attached on the reverse
• Hand-finished by Orthodox Christian artisans in Portugal

📏 Available Sizes

• Small – 12 x 15 cm (5” x 6”)
• Medium – 23 x 30 cm (9” x 12”)
• Large – 30 x 39 cm (12” x 15”)

🎁 Perfect For

• Meaningful Orthodox Christian gifts
• Housewarming and family blessings
• Prayer corners and devotional spaces
• Baptisms, name days, weddings, and feast days

🌍 Worldwide Delivery

Securely packed and shipped worldwide from Portugal with tracking.

✨ Crafted with Tradition

Each icon is carefully made by Orthodox Christian artisans in Portugal — created to become a lasting blessing for your home or a treasured gift for someone you love.