Saint Ioannis the New Martyr from Vrahori

Orthodox icon of Saint Ioannis the New Martyr from Vrahori 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. Ioannis was a Turk by descent and son of a famous dervish in Konitsa. He was born in 1790 in Konitsa and his Turkish name was Hasan. He was sent to Ioannina at the age of 20 and became a dervish too. Ali Pasha sent him to the governor of Aitoloakarnania to serve at his court in Vrahori as a dervish. An unexpected encounter and brief discussion with an Orthodox priest would change his life. During the services of Great Week, the sight of Jesus Christ on the Cross on Great Thursday moved him so much that he took the decision to renounce Islam and embrace Christianity. He went to Ithaca, which was under Venetian control, to be baptized and was given the name Ioannis. He didn't returned to Agrinio, but settled in the village Fyteies, where he married and worked for a land-owner as a field warden. But his family and the Turkish authorities in Vrahori were looking for him; and eventually located him. They tried to change his mind, but in vain. Another Turk recognized him and reported him to the governor of Vrahori and he was arrested. They brought him before the mayor of Vrahori and he tried to convince him to embrace Islam once again. He ordered to be locked in the dungeon, where they tortured him and in the end he was put to death. He was beheaded in 1814. His feast day is on September 23.