Archangel Michael of Mantamados

Orthodox icon of Archangel Michael of Mantamados on thick plywood 20mm, which does not sting and keeps its shape over time. Preparation with acrylic stucco and have been used acrylic colors. It has been covered with varnish to keep the colors undiluted in time and humidity. Hanging clip included on the back of the icon. 

In the year 1462, during the Turkish Ottoman occupation, the Monastery of Taxiarches on Lesvos, Greece was attacked by pirates who threatened the monks with death if they did not reveal the whereabouts of the hidden villagers. The monks refused and the invaders slaughtered them all except for one, Gabriel, who remained hidden. The pirates noticed him from afar and returned to kill him, but the Archangel Michael appeared and with his own sword, forced them to retreat in terror. The monk survived and gathered up the earth that was red from the blood of the martyred monks and shaped it into the icon of the Archangel as it is today, while it was still vivid in his memory.  According to legend, the monk did not have enough of the dirt-blood mix and so the head of the Archangel has turned out disproportionately larger to the rest of his body. Centuries have passed and the Icon of the Archangel Michael is still venerated by thousands of pilgrims every year.