Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: July 27

Saint Gerasimus, originally from Lycia in Asia Minor, was a devout man from his youth who embraced monasticism, first in the Egyptian desert of Thebaid. Around 450 AD, he moved to Palestine and established a monastery near the Jordan River. For a period, he was influenced by the Monophysite heresy, which denied Christ's human nature, but was guided back to Orthodoxy by the venerable Saint Euthymius the Great.

At his monastery, Saint Gerasimus instituted a strict monastic rule. His monks spent five days a week in solitary asceticism, consuming only dry bread, roots, and water, and engaging in handicrafts and prayer. On Saturdays and Sundays, they gathered for communal worship and Holy Communion, before returning to their austere cells with provisions and materials for weaving. Saint Gerasimus himself practiced extreme asceticism, particularly during Great Lent, when he would fast completely until the Resurrection. He would spend this period in the desert with his beloved disciple, Saint Cyriacus.

Saint Gerasimus maintained a deep spiritual connection, even witnessing angels carry the soul of Saint Euthymius the Great to heaven upon his repose. Gerasimus died peacefully, deeply mourned by his community. A remarkable testament to his holiness was his relationship with a lion, which had previously aided him in tasks. Upon the Elder's death, the lion, overcome with grief, lay down and died by his grave, and was subsequently buried nearby. This touching story is why Saint Gerasimus is often depicted with a lion at his feet in icons, symbolizing his profound spiritual connection to all of God's creation.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel & can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.

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