**Originally Listed At $1700**

Russia, ca. 2nd half of 19th century CE. The Eastern Orthodox Church subscribes to a belief in the intercession of saints. This icon presents an ensemble of blessed saints, in egg tempera and gold leaf - including Ann, Elizabeth, Paraskeva, Eudokia, Gregory of Nazianzus or Gregory of Nyssa, Josef, and Mary of Egypt standing in two rows, each saint identified with a gold on blue banner, all beneath Jesus as he descends from the heavens on billowing clouds donning pastel pink and blue robes. Size: 14.75" W x 17.5" H (37.5 cm x 44.4 cm)

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition every individual is named in honor of a specific saint when baptized, and this saint is regarded as a patron for the person's entire life. In addition, there are patron saints of activities and occupations, ailments and dangers, as well as locales. This icon venerates Saint Anne - the Mother of the Virgin and patron saint of childless people, carpenters, grandparents, homemakers, lace makers, lost articles, miners, mothers, poverty, pregnancy, seamstresses, and children; Saint Elizabeth - the mother of John the Baptist, known for tending to the sick, especially those with leprosy and skin diseases; Saint Paraskeva, patron of embroiderers, needle workers, spinners, weavers, and marriage; Saint Eudokia, a wealthy saint who was known for her charitable projects; Saint Gregory, one of the four Latin Fathers of the Church known for establishing Roman liturgy and its music as well as vows of celibacy; Saint Josef, the father of Jesus Christ and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary regarded as the patron of unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, and carpenters; and Mary of Egypt, the patron saint of penitents, chastity, deliverance from demons, fever, and temptations of the flesh.

Provenance: Ex-Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, NC

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#119538

Expected losses to pigment and gold leaf. Chips to peripheries as shown. An age crack has surfaced on lower margin of composition.