Hand painted icon of Saint Christopher of Collesano made on Mount Athos, on natural wood. The icon is delivered in a wooden box.
Saint Christopher was likely born in the late 9th century in Collesano, a small town near the region of Palermo in Italy. He was married to Call (Kali) and had two sons, Saints Saba and Macarius, both Italo-Greek ascetics. Following a divine vision, Saint Christopher embraced monastic life and entered the monastery of the Abbey of San Filippo d'Agira. The renown of his ascetic life deeply moved his family, who also chose to dedicate themselves to monasticism. Around the year 940, Saint Christopher fled with his family and other relatives to Calabria, where he founded the Church of Saint Michael along with a monastery in the northern part of the province. Later, he made a pilgrimage to the Tombs of the Apostles in Rome. On his return journey, Saint Christopher established a coenobium in Laino, where, according to tradition, he miraculously drove away a bear that was devouring the monks’ crops. He reposed in peace at that very place, and his family assumed the administration of the monasteries that he had founded. The memory of Saint Christopher is commemorated on December 17.
