Wood icon, diptych, "St. George and Theodore the Stratelates", 2 x 10x20 cm (N)

Two pieces of wood, two saints: one icon. Saints George and Theodore the Stratelates, united in one thought, which is the love of God.

Hand painted icon by Ana Drăgan.

The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-martyr and Trophy-bearer George was a Christian Roman soldier killed under Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. Though he was born in Cappadocia, his mother was from Palestine, and thus he is a particular favorite of many Palestinian Christians. He is also the patron saint of Moscow, Georgia, and England, amongst other places. The Church commemorates George on April 23, and the translation of his relics on November 3.

The Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Stratelates, also Theodore the Heraclea, was a Roman Stratelates (General) who, in the early fourth century, as a Christian preached the Gospel while serving as the military commander in the city of Heraclea in Thrace until emperor Licinius had him tortured and then beheaded after he refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods. St. Theodore is regarded as the patron saint of soldiers. He is commemorated on February 8. The translation of his relics is remembered on June 8.