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The Philermos Icon of the Mother of God – Orthodox Icon
Few icons carry a history as extraordinary as the Philermos Icon of the Mother of God — an image venerated for nearly two thousand years, passed through the hands of apostles, crusaders, and emperors, and preserved by divine providence across continents and centuries.
According to ancient tradition, this icon was painted by the holy Evangelist Luke himself, who knew the Most Holy Theotokos in person and rendered her image from life. From Jerusalem it was brought to Constantinople, where it was enshrined in the great Blachernae Church — one of the most sacred Marian sanctuaries in the Christian world. In the thirteenth century, Crusaders took the icon from Constantinople, and from that point it passed into the keeping of the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, who venerated it as one of their most treasured relics and carried it with them across the Mediterranean world — to Rhodes, and finally to Malta.
When Napoleon's forces seized Malta in 1798, the Knights of Malta turned to Russia for protection and patronage. On October 12, 1799, they presented Emperor Paul I with three incomparable sacred treasures: a portion of the True and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, the right hand of Saint John the Baptist, and the Philermos Icon of the Mother of God. The Emperor received them at Gatchina, and that autumn the holy relics were transferred to Saint Petersburg, where they were placed in the church of the Saviour Not Made by Hands in the Winter Palace. The feast commemorating this event was established in 1800.
Feast Day: October 25
The meaning of this icon for the home:
The Philermos Icon carries within it an almost unbroken thread stretching from the hands of the Apostle Luke to the present day. To have this image in one's home is to stand in communion with the earliest centuries of the Church, with the knights who guarded it at the cost of their lives, and with the countless faithful who prayed before it across nearly two millennia. It is an icon of protection, of faithfulness through exile and upheaval, and of the enduring presence of the Mother of God with her people no matter where history carries them. This icon is a deeply meaningful gift for those with a love of Church history, for families seeking the intercession of the Theotokos, and for anyone who finds comfort in the knowledge that the Church's treasures — and God's mercy — outlast every storm.
🖼 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.
