Hand painted Orthodox icon on wood, “St. Hermes”, miniature, 7x10cm

This hand-painted Orthodox miniature icon represents Saint Martyr Hermes, the one that served Christ in the church of the city of Bononia - celebrated by the Orthodox Church on December 31. Original artwork by Ana Drăgan (DAM), painted on wood in tempera colours.

Saint Martyr Hermes served Christ with humility and deep reverence in the church of the city of Bononia, fulfilling the ministry of an exorcist. He had been deemed worthy of this gift by Christ Himself, and thus played an important role in preparing those who wished to receive Christian Baptism, reading the prayers of renunciation and driving away evil spirits from their bodies and souls.

Undeterred by the harsh measures of persecution against the worshippers and servants of Christ enacted by Emperor Diocletian, the exorcist Hermes welcomed into the church those afflicted by unclean spirits and, through divine grace and the power of prayer, cast them out and healed them. Saint Martyr Hermes bore witness before the persecutors of the Church to the value of his ministry and accepted with joy and courage the martyr’s end of his earthly life, when the pagan executioners beheaded him on the 31st of December.

Thus, Saint Hermes, Martyr of Christ, proved himself worthy of veneration throughout the ages, not only in his own city, but also in the nearby city of Ratiaria, and wherever Christian souls lived, seeking salvation with the help of their brethren who pray for them from heaven.

Saint Hermes of Bononia is celebrated in the Orthodox Church on the 31st of December.