Hand painted icon of Saint Clement of Ancyra made on Mount Athos, on natural wood. The icon is delivered in a wooden box.
Saint Clement of Ancyra was an important figure of the Church who lived during a time of severe persecutions against Christians. The Saint is depicted full-length against a golden background, with a halo around his head as a sign of his holiness. His gesture of blessing reflects his role as a teacher of the Church, while the Holy Gospel emphasizes his devotion to God.
Saint Clement was orphaned at a young age and was raised in faith by a devout woman who also cared for other abandoned children. From an early age, he dedicated himself to the ministry of the Church, teaching many people and leading numerous converts to baptism. At a young age he became Bishop of Ancyra, guiding the faithful through difficult times. During the persecutions of Diocletian, he was arrested and endured for approximately 28 years of severe torture, including imprisonment, chains, hardships, attacks by wild beasts, and other painful punishments, without ever denying his faith. He was transferred from one city to another, as his persecutors passed him on to each other, considering his endurance an extraordinary wonder, since for so many years he withstood unimaginable torments without ever breaking, together with his disciple Agathangelos. Despite the sufferings, he remained unshaken and continued even in prison to teach and strengthen the Christians. According to tradition, Saint Clement was martyred by soldiers inside a church while celebrating the Divine Liturgy. Saint Clement of Ancyra is commemorated on January 23.
