Hand painted Orthodox icon on wood, "St. Stephen the Great and St. Daniel the Hermit", miniature, 7x10cm

This hand-painted Orthodox icon on wood by Ana Drăgan represents two saints of the Romanian Orthodox church: Saint Stephen the Great, the ruler of Moldova (feast day July 2), and Daniel the Hermit, his spiritual father (feast day December 18).

This miniature icon measures 7x10 cm.

The holy and right-believing Prince Saint Stephen the Great (Romanian: Dreptcredinciosul Voievod Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt) was ruler of Moldova (in modern-day Romania) from 1457 to 1504. He was a great statesman and military tactician as well as being a devout Orthodox Christian. He was responsible for defending Moldova against the Ottoman invasion, building a church or monastery in thanks to God after each victory.

Stephen the Great was glorified, along with his spiritual father St. Daniel the Hermit of Voroneţ (Sf. Daniil Sihastru de la Voroneţ) and many other Romanian saints, by the Synod of the Church of Romania in 1992. His feast day is July 2.

Our venerable and God-bearing Father Daniel the Hermit of Voroneț, Sf. Daniil Sihastru de la Voroneţ in Romanian, was a 15th century monk and the spiritual father of Stephen the Great, the Voievod of Moldova. Under his guidance, Stephen the Great defended Moldova from Ottoman invasion and dedicated himself and his rule to God.

Daniel lived alone for 14 years in a cell carved from a boulder in a forested valley close to Putna Monastery, which is now used as a chapel according to the rules of Mount Athos. His relics are housed at Voroneț Monastery, and he was officially glorified by the Synod of the Church of Romania in 1992. He fell asleep in 1496, and his feast day is December 18.

Source: orthodoxwiki.org