Russian school, second half of the 19th century. "Saint... Lot 53

Russian school, second half of the 19th century. "Saint Xenophon and Mary". Oil, gold leaf on panel. Measurements: 18 x 14 cm. The venerable Xenophon and his wife Mary, and their sons Arcadius and John, were noble citizens of Constantinople in the 5th century. Despite their wealth and nobility, they were distinguished by spiritual simplicity and kindness. Wishing to give their sons a better education, they sent them to the Phoenician city of Beirut. Unfortunately, the ship, on which the two brothers had set sail, was shipwrecked. They were tossed by the waves to different parts of the shore. Grief-stricken by their separation, the brothers consecrated themselves to God and accepted monasticism. The parents received no news of their sons for a long time and considered them lost. But Xenophon, now an old man, kept faith in the Lord, comforted his wife Mary and advised her not to grieve and to believe that the Lord would protect their children. Several years later, the couple went on pilgrimage to holy places and by chance met their children in Jerusalem, who at that time were already ascetics in various monasteries. Out of joy and gratitude to God, Xenophon and Mary accepted monasticism and dedicated their entire lives to Christianity. The monks Arcadius and John, after bidding farewell to their parents, ascended to the desert, where, after long ascetic acts, they became famous for the gift of wonder-working and penetration. The venerable elders Xenophon and Mary also received the gift of miracles from God, performing asceticism in silence and strict fasting. In the Orthodox cult, the venerable Xenophon and Mary are the protectors of all the departed. In iconographic terms, the most common representation of these two saints is with their two children. However, representations such as the one in the auctioned lot are also acceptable in traditional iconography. This icon, executed in oil on panel, has fine decorative elements that simulate enamelling. The vibrant golden background adds light and symbolises divine radiance. A number of signs, although very subtle and almost diluted in the traditional iconography, such as, for example, the blessing with two fingers and the eight-pointed cross visible on the chiton of Saint Xenophon, indicate that the present icon may have been produced in the workshops of the Old Believers.