Orthodox Icon Artemius of Verkola

Orthodox Icon Artemius of Verkola is a hand-painted icon of one of the most touching northern saints of the Russian Church. Saint Artemius is venerated as a righteous youth whose life was short, pure, and filled with reverence for God. His image is especially close to families, parents, godparents, children, and all who pray for the preservation of a child’s soul, for help in sorrow, protection from sudden misfortune, and quiet endurance in trials.

In the presented icon Saint Artemius is shown full-length. His figure is painted on a golden background, in a simple long garment with soft folds. His hands are held at his chest, strengthening the sense of prayerful concentration and inner purity. In the upper part of the image Christ is shown in the clouds, a sign of heavenly blessing and of the fact that the life of the righteous youth is understood by the Church not as a random tragedy, but as the path of a saint glorified by God.

In the lower part of the composition are small narrative scenes recalling his earthly life, the northern land, and the circumstances of his glorification. The elongated format suits the full-length image of the young saint especially well. The icon is available in 13×25 cm (5.1×9.8 in), 18×31 cm (7.1×12.2 in), and 30×50 cm (11.8×19.7 in), with larger iconostasis formats by request.

Icon Characteristics

Full name	Orthodox Icon Artemius of Verkola
Saint depicted	Holy Righteous Artemius of Verkola
Iconographic type	Full-length image of a righteous youth with heavenly blessing in the upper part
Commemoration days	July 6 / June 23 according to the old calendar; November 2 / October 20 according to the old calendar
Visible features	Young saint full-length, golden background, hands at the chest, Christ in the clouds, lower narrative scenes, elongated format
Available sizes	13×25 cm (5.1×9.8 in), 18×31 cm (7.1×12.2 in), 30×50 cm (11.8×19.7 in); iconostasis sizes by request

Who This Icon Is For

The icon of Saint Artemius of Verkola is especially suitable for children and teenagers, as well as for men and boys baptized with the name Artemius or Artem. It may be ordered for baptism, name day, birthday, the beginning of school, a family feast, or in memory of an important spiritual event. The image of the young saint feels gentle and close: it does not overwhelm with severity, but reminds the viewer of purity, trust in God, and quiet inner endurance.

Parents and godparents often choose this image for prayer for children. Saint Artemius is venerated as a righteous youth, so his icon is appropriate in a child’s room, family icon corner, Orthodox school, parish room, chapel, or church. In the home, it can become a prayerful point of reference: a child sees not an abstract symbol, but a saint close in age and connected with the theme of childlike purity.

The icon of Artemius of Verkola can also be a meaningful gift for a family going through difficult circumstances. The image is connected with consolation, trust in God, and the acceptance of sorrows without bitterness. For this reason people pray before it not only for children, but also for peace in the home, strengthening of faith, protection from sudden misfortune, and help in hard experiences.

Prayer Before the Icon of Artemius of Verkola

Before the icon of the holy righteous Artemius of Verkola, Orthodox Christians pray for children, health, protection from sudden misfortune, strengthening of faith, purity of heart, peace in the family, patience, and consolation in grief. His image is especially close to those asking God to help a child grow in a good disposition and be preserved from danger, harmful influence, cruelty, fear, and spiritual coldness.

• children, their health, spiritual protection, and good upbringing;
• boys and men named Artemius or Artem;
• preservation of purity of heart, simplicity, and trust in God;
• help in sorrow, anxiety, and family trials;
• protection from sudden misfortune and danger;
• peace between parents and children;
• patience, humility, and strengthening of faith;
• the good spiritual growth of a child.

An Orthodox icon is not a charm or an external guarantee of well-being. Prayer before Saint Artemius is a turning to God through the intercession of a righteous saint. His icon helps calm the heart, gather attention, remember God’s providence, and understand that childlike purity, trust, and gentleness have special value in Christian life.

Brief Life of Holy Righteous Artemius

Holy Righteous Artemius of Verkola lived in the sixteenth century in the northern Russian land, in the village of Verkola. He was the son of pious parents and from childhood was known for meekness, obedience, diligence, and pure faith. His life was not connected with outward feats in the usual sense: he was not a warrior, ruler, or great church figure. His holiness was revealed in simplicity, humility, and the righteousness of a child’s heart.

According to Church tradition, Artemius died in youth during a thunderstorm. For those around him this was a deep sorrow, but later the Lord glorified His servant. The incorrupt relics of the saint were found, and healings and signs began to take place through them. In this way the people’s veneration of the righteous youth Artemius became stronger, and his image entered Church tradition as an image of childlike purity, quiet holiness, and heavenly intercession.

The veneration of Artemius of Verkola is important because it shows that holiness is not measured by age, social position, or outwardly great deeds. Even a short life can be bright before God if it is filled with purity, obedience, kindness, and faith. This is why his icon is so close to parents, children, and all who seek consolation in sorrows and hope in difficult circumstances.

Commemoration Days

Saint Artemius of Verkola is commemorated in the Orthodox calendar on July 6 according to the new calendar, or June 23 according to the old calendar. This day is especially meaningful for people named Artemius, their parents, godparents, and relatives.

He is also commemorated on November 2 according to the new calendar, or October 20 according to the old calendar. These dates may be considered when choosing a patron saint icon, a gift for a name day, baptism, family feast, thanksgiving prayer, or church donation.

Features of the Presented Icon

The presented icon is arranged as a full-length image of the young saint. Artemius stands calmly and directly. His figure is elongated vertically, which suits the 13×25 cm, 18×31 cm, and 30×50 cm formats well. This structure makes the image collected and prayerful: the viewer is not distracted by excessive decoration, but is immediately drawn to the figure of the saint.

The face of Artemius is painted gently and seriously. It does not have adult severity, but it has inner concentration and quietness. This is especially important in an icon of a young saint: the image does not become an ordinary child’s portrait, but keeps ecclesial depth. Saint Artemius stands as a righteous youth already glorified by God and abiding in the light of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The saint’s clothing is painted in restrained green-gray tones. The simple long garment emphasizes humility and purity. The hands at the chest strengthen the sense of prayer, meekness, and inner reverence. The inscriptions at the sides clearly identify the saint as righteous Artemius of Verkola.

Christ is shown in the clouds in the upper part of the icon. This detail gives the composition theological completeness: the saint does not simply stand against a golden background, but stands before God. The lower narrative scenes recall his earthly life, northern nature, and the circumstances of his glorification. Thus the icon joins a prayerful image of the saint with a brief visual account of his life.

Iconography: Young Saint, Heavenly Blessing, and Lower Scenes

The youth of Artemius of Verkola is one of the main meanings of the image. In Church tradition he is venerated as a righteous youth, so the iconography does not try to make him resemble an adult ascetic. His holiness is revealed through childlike purity, meekness, and trust in God. For parents this image is especially important: it reminds us that a child is not only someone to be cared for, but a soul capable of living communion with God.

The image of Christ in the upper part points to the heavenly meaning of the saint’s life. Difficult earthly events are not the final word; above them is revealed the blessing of God. For this reason the icon of Artemius of Verkola is often received as an image of consolation in sorrow, especially when a person faces sudden, painful, or incomprehensible circumstances.

The lower narrative scenes make the composition more story-like. They connect the saint’s image with his earthly history and the northern Verkola tradition of veneration. In a larger size these details can be read more clearly: figures, ground, elements of nature, and meaningful accents complement the full-length image of the saint.

Materials, Gilding, and Finish Options

The icon of Artemius of Verkola is painted on a solid linden wood board with oak support slats. This base is well suited to hand-painted iconography and allows a smooth surface to be prepared under gesso. Oak slats help strengthen the board and preserve its shape during natural changes in humidity and temperature.

A natural chalk gesso ground is applied before painting. The image is painted in egg tempera, a traditional technique that allows the iconographer to render the gentle face of the young saint, folds of the simple garment, hands at the chest, inscriptions, heavenly part, and lower narrative scenes. Depending on the chosen finish, gold leaf may be used on the background, halo, fields, or separate decorative elements.

The elongated format is especially important for this icon. The 13×25 cm (5.1×9.8 in) and 18×31 cm (7.1×12.2 in) sizes are suitable for home placement and patron saint gifts. The 30×50 cm (11.8×19.7 in) format allows the image to become more solemn and reveals the lower narrative scenes, the saint’s figure, inscriptions, and heavenly part in greater detail.

How to Choose the Size

The 13×25 cm (5.1×9.8 in) size is a compact elongated format that fits well in a home icon corner, child’s room, or small prayer shelf. It is suitable as a patron saint icon for a child, a godparent’s gift, or a personal prayer image.

The 18×31 cm (7.1×12.2 in) size is more expressive and gives more room for the face, hands, garment folds, Christ in the upper part, and the lower narrative scenes. This format is often chosen as a family memorial icon or as a gift for baptism, name day, birthday, or the beginning of school.

The 30×50 cm (11.8×19.7 in) size is suitable for larger home or church placement. It reveals the whole composition more fully: the full-length saint, golden background, heavenly image, lower scenes, and inscriptions. Iconostasis sizes are agreed individually according to the place of installation, lighting, neighboring icons, and the overall artistic order of the space.

Blessing and Care

The icon of Saint Artemius of Verkola may be blessed in an Orthodox church after it is received, or brought for blessing at your parish. A blessed icon is received as a holy image for prayer, thanksgiving, and turning to God through the intercession of the holy righteous youth.

A hand-painted icon should be treated carefully. Dust may be removed with a dry soft brush or dry cloth without pressure. The icon should not be wiped with a wet cloth, cleaned with household chemicals, or placed in direct sunlight, near a heater, humidifier, hot lamp, or source of sudden temperature changes. Special care should be taken with gilded areas, the halo, inscriptions, heavenly part, lower narrative scenes, and painted surface. A glazed wooden kiot may be considered for additional protection.

Free international shipping is included. Payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Questions and Answers

Who is shown on the Orthodox Icon Artemius of Verkola?

The icon shows the holy righteous youth Artemius of Verkola, a northern Russian saint venerated in prayers for children, family, purity of heart, and consolation in sorrow.

Why is Artemius of Verkola called a righteous youth?

Saint Artemius lived a short life and was glorified while still young. For this reason Church tradition often calls him the righteous youth Artemius of Verkola.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

People pray for children, health, protection from sudden misfortune, strengthening of faith, consolation in grief, purity of heart, family peace, and help in difficult circumstances.

Who is this icon suitable for?

It is suitable for children, teenagers, people named Artemius or Artem, parents, godparents, Orthodox families, churches, chapels, children’s rooms, and home icon corners.

When is Saint Artemius of Verkola commemorated?

Saint Artemius of Verkola is commemorated on July 6 and November 2 according to the new calendar.

Why is Christ shown in the upper part of the icon?

Christ in the clouds points to heavenly blessing and shows that the life of righteous Artemius is understood by the Church in the light of God’s providence.

Is this icon suitable for a child’s room?

Yes. The image of the young saint is appropriate for a child’s room or family icon corner, especially when parents pray for spiritual protection and good upbringing.

What sizes are available?

The available sizes are 13×25 cm (5.1×9.8 in), 18×31 cm (7.1×12.2 in), and 30×50 cm (11.8×19.7 in), with iconostasis sizes by request.

Can this icon be ordered for a church?

Yes. It can be painted in a larger or iconostasis format, with size, gilding, level of detail, and decoration agreed according to the place of installation.

How should this hand-painted icon be cared for?

Keep it away from moisture, direct sunlight, heat, and sudden temperature changes. Dust it gently with a dry soft brush or dry cloth without pressure.