Christian Orthodox Icon Pendant "Saint GREAT MARTYR Catherine", with on sale Russian TSATA, 24K Gilded & Silver, Akimov Jewelry
Russian Orthodox Icon Pendant "SAINT GREAT MARTYR Catherine", 24K Gold & Sterling Silver, Akimov Jewelry
Materials: Sterling Silver (925 grade), 24K Gilding, Blackening
Average weight: 2 + 3.4 grams
Size: 27 x 20 mm (including the bail)
Technique: casting, gilding, blackening, handmade.
Symbolism and application of the item
The Great Martyr Catherine lived in Alexandria in the 4th century. She came from a wealthy princely family and was distinguished by extraordinary beauty and intelligence. Being eighteen years old she was able to speak several languages and understood some sciences. Parents persuaded on sale her to marry, but the proud beauty insisted that she would only marry someone who surpassed her in appearance, intelligence, and wealth. Then her mother, a secret Christian, went with her to the hermit monk for advice. The elder told the girl that he knew one wonderful Young man, who had no equal in the whole world. He gave her an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos with the Child and told her to pray all night to see her Bridegroom. Catherine prayed for a long time and fell asleep exhausted. In a dream, the Mother of God appeared to her with Christ. But the Lord constantly turned away from her, and she could not see His face in any way. The girl again went to the elder, whom this time told her about Christianity and baptized her. The girl again went to the elder, whom this time told her about Christianity and baptized her. At night, during prayer, Christ appeared to her again, held out a beautiful ring, and said that he chose her as his bride and asked her to keep their union indestructible. Waking up from sleep, the girl saw a beautiful ring in her hand, and from that time she could only think about Jesus Christ. Soon the emperor Maxentius arrived in Alexandria. During his solemn sacrifice to the pagan gods, Catherine delivered a sermon urging the emperor to convert to Christianity. The emperor was captivated by the girl's beauty and invited her to appoint public competitions in faith with his philosophers. Catherine's arguments were so convincing, and her faith so fervent, that not only philosophers but also many of the spectators believed. The angry Maxentius ordered to burn the philosophers and to beat Catherine with ox veins and starve to death in prison. But the dove began to feed the holy martyr. The Lord appeared to her, healed her wounds, and predicted that by her patience many would be saved to eternal life. Seeing Catherine completely healthy, the emperor ordered them to crush her body on special wheels. But an Angel of the Lord appeared from Heaven and destroyed them. Seeing this, many glorified Christ, including Empress Augusta. The enraged emperor ordered all the converts to be executed, and Catherine beheaded. Immediately after her death, the body of Catherine was carried up by an angel to Mount Sinai. 200 years later, the head of the great martyr and the left hand with the ring of Christ were miraculously found by the monks and are now in the monastery on Sinai. The memory of the holy ascetic is celebrated on December 7 (November 24).On the reverse side of the icon is the text of the prayer to the great martyr: "Holy saint of God Catherine, pray to God for me, a sinner." This is a women‘s icon pendant. It can be worn separately or with half-moon- shaped enamel pendant.
Why should you buy this item?
•Saint Catherine is the patron of many countries such as Malta, Greece, Bosnia and etc.;
•She is the patron of many professions, for example, jurists, lawyers, librarians, philosophers, nurses, scholars, schoolchildren and etc.;
•She is the patron of unmarried girls, dying people, educators, scholars, and maidens.
Need further information?
If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact me, I'll be glad to answer them.