Saint Venerable Apollinaria of Egypt the Ascetic. Wooden orthodox icon.

Saint Venerable Apollinaria the Ascetic. Wooden orthodox icon.

Saint Apollinaria was the daughter of Anthemius, the former ruler of the Greek Empire during the minority of Theodosius the Younger (408-450). Having refused marriage, she asked her pious parents for permission to venerate the holy places of the East. Arriving from Jerusalem to Alexandria, she secretly changed into a monk's clothes from her servants and hid in a marshy place, where she spent several years in strict fasting and prayer. By revelation from above, she went to the skete of Saint Macarius of Egypt, calling herself the monk Dorotheus. Saint Macarius accepted her into the number of his brethren, and there she soon became famous for her ascetic life.

Apollinaria's parents had another daughter who suffered from demonic possession. They sent her to the skete to Saint Macarius, who brought the sick woman to the monk Dorotheus (Blessed Apollinaria), through whose prayer the girl received healing. Upon returning home, the girl was again subjected to violence by the devil, who gave her the appearance of a woman carrying in her womb.

This incident greatly angered her parents, who sent soldiers to the hermitage and demanded that the culprit of their daughter's insult be handed over. Saint Apollinaria took the blame upon herself and went with the messengers to her parents' house. There she revealed her secret to her parents, healed her sister, returned to the hermitage, where she soon died peacefully in 470. Only after the death of the monk Dorotheus was it revealed that she was a woman. The body of the saint was buried in a cave in the church of the monastery of Saint Macarius of Egypt.

🖼 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.