Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: September 24

Saint Silouan of Athos was born Simeon Ivanovich Antonov to a peasant family in the Tambov Governorate of Imperial Russia. In his youth, he worked as a carpenter alongside his brother, but his spiritual path was ignited after witnessing miracles associated with St. John of Sezenovski. Following a period of required military service, Simeon traveled to the monastic peninsula of Mount Athos in Greece at the age of twenty-seven. There, he entered the Monastery of St. Panteleimon, where he was eventually tonsured into the Great Schema and received the monastic name Silouan.

As a monk, Silouan was known for his remarkable physical strength and his intense dedication to the ascetic life. His first "obedience" or task was working at the monastery mill, but he spent his nights in vigilant prayer. A notable site of his devotion was an oblong roadside stone, now known as "St. Silouan's Bench," where he would sit to pray along the mountain paths. Through years of spiritual trials and an early vision of Christ, he developed a profound sense of inner stillness and the grace of unceasing prayer.

The core of Silouan's spiritual legacy was his immense humility and his teaching on the necessity of loving one's enemies. Despite being barely literate, he became a revered elder, sought out by many pilgrims for his wisdom and his practice of weeping for the entire world as if for himself. Before his death in 1938, he entrusted his theological reflections and personal writings to his disciple, Father Sophrony (Sakharov). These writings, which include the poignant poem Adam's Lament, were later published and translated into numerous languages, even inspiring the contemporary composer Arvo Pärt.

Saint Silouan’s holiness was officially recognized decades after his passing, reflecting his lasting impact on Orthodox Christianity. He was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the late 1980s, with the Moscow Patriarchate following suit in 1992. Today, he is celebrated as a saint who bridge-built between the simple life of a manual laborer and the profound depths of mystical theology, with his feast day observed on September 24.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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