Hand-Painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Panteleimon

Hand-Painted Christian Wall Art of Saint Panteleimon

A reverently Hand-Painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Panteleimon (the Great Martyr and Unmercenary Healer), created with natural mineral pigments in egg tempera on a seasoned wooden panel, enhanced with genuine gold leaf and traditional ornament. The saint is depicted as a youthful, beardless physician wearing rich vestments and holding a medicine box adorned with precious stones, symbolizing his healing ministry. This composition follows Orthodox canonical tradition while presenting the recognizable features of one of Christianity’s most beloved healing saints, whose intercession is sought worldwide for physical and spiritual healing.

Who Is Saint Panteleimon the Great Martyr

Saint Panteleimon (died c. 305 AD), originally named Pantoleon meaning “lion in all things,” was a Christian physician and Great Martyr renowned for his miraculous healing powers and charitable medical practice. Born in Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey) to a pagan father named Eustorgius and a Christian mother named Eubula, he received excellent medical training and became the personal physician to Emperor Maximian. However, influenced by the priest Saint Hermolaus, he converted to Christianity and received the name Panteleimon, meaning “all-merciful.”

After his conversion, Saint Panteleimon dedicated his life to healing the sick without payment, earning him the title “Unmercenary Healer.” He treated Christians and pagans alike, rich and poor, performing miraculous cures through prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. His compassionate nature and free healing ministry eventually aroused the jealousy of pagan physicians who complained to Emperor Maximian. When arrested, Panteleimon was subjected to various tortures but remained steadfast in his faith, ultimately being martyred by beheading around 305 AD.

Iconographic Features and Symbolism

This sacred composition presents Saint Panteleimon as a young, beardless figure reflecting his youth at the time of martyrdom. The rich vestments depicted in this icon—featuring red and green garments with gold ornamentation—represent both his noble status as imperial physician and his royal dignity as a saint in heaven.

• Medicine Box with Jewels: The ornate container he holds represents his medical profession and healing ministry, while the precious stones symbolize the spiritual treasures of divine healing power.
• Youthful Appearance: His beardless face emphasizes his young age at martyrdom and his pure, merciful heart devoted to healing ministry.
• Rich Vestments: The elaborate clothing reflects both his earthly status as imperial physician and his heavenly glory as a Great Martyr.
• Blessing Hand: Often depicted with right hand raised in blessing, indicating his continuing intercession and healing power from heaven.
• Compassionate Gaze: His gentle expression invites trust and confidence in his healing intercession.
• Golden Halo: The nimbus with cross pattern (sometimes) declares his sanctity and martyrdom for the faith.

Materials and Traditional Technique

This Hand-Painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Panteleimon exemplifies the refined artistry of the Mstyora school, known for precise detail work, harmonious color combinations, and dignified presentation that supports devotional contemplation.

• Seasoned Wood Panel: Linden wood prepared with linen backing and multiple layers of chalk gesso (levkas) for optimal stability and paint adhesion.
• Genuine Gold Leaf: 23-karat gold leaf over bole, carefully burnished to achieve the characteristic Orthodox icon luminosity in background and ornamental details.
• Natural Egg Tempera: Mineral pigments mixed with egg yolk, building the saint’s form through successive transparent layers from dark sankir to luminous highlights.
• Detailed Ornamental Work: Precious stones, textile patterns, and decorative elements rendered with meticulous attention to both beauty and symbolic meaning.
• Protective Varnish: Natural coating preserves the tempera colors and gold work while maintaining the icon’s spiritual radiance.

Spiritual Significance and Healing Intercession

Saint Panteleimon is particularly invoked for healing from serious illnesses, success in medical treatment, protection during surgery, and guidance for healthcare workers. His intercession is especially sought by patients facing difficult diagnoses, families caring for sick loved ones, and medical professionals seeking wisdom in their practice. Orthodox tradition holds that his prayers are particularly powerful for eye diseases and blindness, with numerous documented cases of healing attributed to his intercession.

The saint also provides comfort for mental and emotional ailments—depression, anxiety, despair, and spiritual despondency. Many faithful report experiencing peace, hope, and physical improvement when praying before his icon, often accompanied by the scent of healing herbs or holy oil, signs traditionally associated with his presence.

Liturgical Veneration and Feast Days

The Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Panteleimon’s feast day on July 27th (August 9th New Style), with special services in churches worldwide. His veneration is particularly strong in Russian Orthodoxy, where he is honored as one of the most powerful healing saints. Many Orthodox hospitals, medical facilities, and healthcare workers’ homes display his icon prominently, seeking his blessing on all healing ministries.

Creating the Icon: Artistic Process

• Panel Preparation: Selection and treatment of seasoned wood, application of linen backing, and careful layering of levkas ground.
• Design Transfer: Precise placement of canonical features ensuring theological accuracy and recognizable portrayal.
• Background Gilding: Application of bole, laying of gold leaf, and burnishing to create luminous heavenly atmosphere.
• Figure Painting: Building the saint’s form through traditional tempera techniques from dark underpainting to luminous highlights.
• Detailed Work: Addition of ornamental patterns, precious stones on the medicine box, and textile details.
• Final Elements: Canonical inscriptions, protective varnish application, and quality inspection.

Placement in Orthodox Homes and Churches

The icon traditionally holds a place of honor in family prayer corners, particularly in homes where family members work in healthcare or face ongoing health challenges. Many Orthodox families position his icon in children’s rooms, seeking his special protection for young ones. In medical facilities, the icon serves as a focal point for prayers during illness, before procedures, and in thanksgiving for healing received.

Why Choose This Hand-Painted Icon

The presence of this Hand-Painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Panteleimon creates a tangible connection to one of Christianity’s most compassionate healing saints. The traditional materials and canonical execution ensure lasting beauty and spiritual presence, making it both a devotional aid and a family heirloom that provides comfort and hope through generations of prayer.

Customization and Commissioning

The Mstyora workshop can create this icon in various sizes for different devotional contexts, from intimate family icons to larger church panels. Options include coordinated sets with other healing saints, specific inscriptions, or adaptations for hospital chapels and medical facility prayer rooms, all while maintaining strict canonical accuracy.

Care and Preservation

• Environmental Protection: Keep away from direct sunlight and maintain stable temperature and humidity to preserve the protective varnish.
• Gentle Cleaning: Use only soft brushes for dusting; avoid chemical cleaners that could damage the varnish layer.
• Medical Facility Placement: When placed in healthcare environments, ensure adequate protection from high-traffic areas.
• Long-term Stability: The protective varnish maintains color integrity and gold leaf brilliance with proper care.

Welcome the healing mercy and compassionate intercession of Saint Panteleimon into your home, medical practice, or healthcare facility—order this hand-painted Orthodox icon from the Mstyora Workshop with free worldwide shipping by post and convenient payment by Visa/Mastercard upon delivery.

Questions and Answers

Q: What illnesses can Saint Panteleimon help heal through his intercession?

A: Saint Panteleimon is invoked for all types of physical ailments, with particular effectiveness attributed to eye diseases, blindness, children’s illnesses, and complex medical conditions. He also provides comfort for mental and emotional suffering including depression, anxiety, and despair.

Q: Why is Saint Panteleimon called the “Unmercenary Healer”?

A: Saint Panteleimon earned this title because he provided medical treatment free of charge to all patients regardless of their social status or ability to pay, treating both Christians and pagans with equal compassion and skill.

Q: What does the medicine box in the icon symbolize?

A: The ornate medicine box represents Saint Panteleimon’s medical profession and healing ministry. The precious stones adorning it symbolize the spiritual treasures of divine healing power that flow through his intercession.

Q: When is Saint Panteleimon’s feast day celebrated?

A: The Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Panteleimon’s feast day on July 27th (August 9th New Style), with special liturgical services and prayers for healing held in churches worldwide.

Q: Can healthcare workers seek Saint Panteleimon’s guidance in their profession?

A: Yes, Saint Panteleimon is considered the patron saint of physicians, nurses, and all healthcare workers. Many medical professionals pray to him for wisdom, skill, and compassion in treating patients.

Q: What traditional materials are used in creating this icon?

A: The icon is created using seasoned linden wood, linen backing, chalk gesso (levkas), genuine 23-karat gold leaf, natural mineral pigments mixed with egg yolk (egg tempera), and protective natural varnish—all following traditional Orthodox iconographic methods.

Q: Is it appropriate to place this icon in a medical facility or hospital?

A: Yes, many Orthodox hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities display Saint Panteleimon’s icon in chapels, prayer rooms, or common areas where patients and staff can pray for healing and guidance.

Q: How should one pray before Saint Panteleimon’s icon?

A: Approach the icon with faith and humility, light a candle if possible, and offer prayers requesting his intercession for healing, protection during medical procedures, or guidance for healthcare workers. Many also pray for the healing of loved ones.

Q: What signs might indicate Saint Panteleimon’s presence during prayer?

A: Traditional signs include the scent of healing herbs or holy oil, a sense of peace and hope, and sometimes physical improvement in symptoms. Many faithful report feeling comforted and strengthened after praying before his icon.

Q: Can children pray to Saint Panteleimon for healing?

A: Yes, Saint Panteleimon has special compassion for children due to his youthful appearance and merciful nature. Many Orthodox families place his icon in children’s rooms seeking his protection and healing intercession for young ones.