Saint Macarius of Zheltovod and Unzha Venerable. Wooden orthodox icon.

Saint Macarius of Zheltovod and Unzha Venerable. Wooden orthodox icon.

Saint Macarius of Zheltovodsk, Unzhensky was born in 1349 in Nizhny Novgorod to a family of pious parents. At the age of twelve, he secretly left his parents and took monastic vows at the Nizhny Novgorod Pechersk Monastery from Saint Dionysius (later Archbishop of Suzdal; † 1385; commemorated on June 26).

With all the ardor of his youthful soul, he devoted himself to the work of salvation: the strictest fasting and precise fulfillment of monastic rules distinguished him from all the brethren. Only three years later did Saint Macarius' parents find out where he had hidden himself. His father came to him and tearfully begged his son to come out and see him. Saint Macarius spoke to his father through the wall and said that he would see him in the future life. "At least extend your hand to me," the father asked. The son fulfilled this small request, and the father, having kissed the outstretched hand of his son, returned home. Weary of glory, the humble Macarius withdrew to the banks of the Volga River and labored there in a cave near Lake Yellow Waters. Here, with firm abstinence and patience, he overcame the battle of the enemy of salvation. 

Lovers of silence gathered to the Monk Macarius, and in 1435 he built a monastery for them in the name of the Holy Trinity. Here he began to preach Christianity to the surrounding Cheremis and Chuvashes and baptized Mohammedans and pagans in the lake, which received the name of the Holy. When the Kazan Tatars destroyed the monastery in 1439, the Monk Macarius was taken prisoner. Out of respect for his piety and charitable love, the khan released the saint from captivity and, together with him, freed up to 400 Christians. But they made the Monk Macarius promise not to settle near Yellow Lake. Saint Macarius honorably buried the slain in his monastery and set off for the Galich region, 240 miles away. During this migration, all the travelers, through the prayers of the saint, were miraculously fed. Having reached the city of Unzha, Saint Macarius erected a cross 15 miles from the city on the shore of Lake Unzha and built a cell. Here he founded a new monastery. In the fifth year of his life in Unzha, Saint Macarius fell ill and died at the age of 95.

Even during his lifetime, Saint Macarius was endowed with a gift of grace: he healed a blind and possessed girl. After the death of the saint, many received healing from his relics. The monks erected a church over his grave and established a community in the monastery. In 1522, the Tatars attacked Unzha and wanted to strip the silver reliquary in the Makariyev Hermitage, but they were blinded and, going mad, rushed to flee. Many of them drowned in the Unzha. In 1532, through the prayers of St. Makariy, the city of Soligalich was saved from the Tatars, and the grateful residents built a chapel in the cathedral church in honor of the saint. More than 50 people were healed from serious illnesses through the prayers of St. Makariy, as established by the commission sent by Patriarch Filaret on June 24, 1619.

🖼 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
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• Prayer corners and devotional spaces
• Baptisms, name days, weddings, and feast days

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✨ 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.