Saint Anthimos Kourouklis the Blind Ascetic of Kefallonia

Orthodox icon of Saint Anthimos Kourouklis the Blind Ascetic of Kefallonia 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. 

St. Anthimos was born in Kefallonia in 1727. At the age of 7 he became blind as a result of smallpox. His mother prayed for his healing and asked her priest at the Church of the Holy Apostles to serve 40 liturgies for her son's healing. At the 40th Divine Liturgy little Anthimos cried out that he could see from his right eye only. He then received his education by Abbot Anthimos at the Monastery of St. Paraskevi in Lepeda. For a time he worked as a seaman and travelled to Constantinople, but then took up the life of a monk when he was 20 at the Monastery of St. Paraskevi in Lepeda. At some point he went blind again, but after a vision he could dimly discern the outlines of objects. St. Anthimos was 20 years old when he entered monastic life, and lived on Mount Athos at the Monastery of Iveron where he received the Great Schema in 1747. Despite his blindness, he took up a life of missionary work as a ''blind pilgrim monk'', and travelled the Greek mainland and islands. He preached the Gospel, healed the sick, and founded several monasteries. In 1782 he returned to his monastery in Lepeda, fell ill with jaundice, and died in peace, at the age of 54 on September 4, 1782. His feast day is on September 4.