The Story Behind This Icon: Saint John was born in 1690 in southern Russia, to a poor Orthodox Christian family. He was drafted to the army during the Russo-Turkish war and was taken prisoner, ending up as a slave in Turkey. Saint John was abused and tortured for his faith in Christ, but always refused to convert to Islam. John's master admired his resolve and as a result placed him in the stables to tend to and live in. He lived his life as a Christian slave in a Muslim world. Prophesying his death, Saint John wanted to receive Communion one last time. He asked a priest to bring the mysteries to him in the stable, but the priest felt it was too dangerous. Instead, he carved out a hole in an apple and placed the Communion inside (covering it with wax so it wouldn't seep into the apple). After he received the mysteries, Saint John passed away in Christ. Saint John the Russian's feast day is celebrated on May 27. *** This icon of Saint John the Russian is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection Icons from Mount Athos, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian. This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.
