Saint Razhden the Protomartyr of the Georgian Church

Orthodox icon of Saint Razhden the Protomartyr of the Georgian Church 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. Razhden was descended from a noble Persian family. When Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali married the daughter of the Persian king Hormuzd III Balunducht, the queen took Razhden with her to Georgia. In Kartli Razhden converted to the Christian Faith, and King Vakhtang presented him with an estate and appointed him as a military adviser and commander. Enraged at King Vakhtang’s clearly Christian convictions, the Persian king Peroz attacked Georgia with an enormous army. His accomplishments in this battle earned Razhden his distinction as a brave and virtuous warrior. The Persians surrounded Razhden, bound his hands and feet, and delivered him to their king. Razhden fearlessly asserted that Christianity is the only true faith and that Christ is the only true Savior of mankind. King Peroz tried to conceal his anger and cunningly lure Razhden to his side, but his attempt was in vain. Peroz ordered that the saint be beaten without mercy.  The expert executioners trampled Saint Razhden, battered him, knocked out his teeth, dragged him across jagged cliffs, then chained him in heavy irons and cast him into prison. Peroz ordered his exile to a military camp at Tsromi in central Georgia. Then he secretly ordered the chief of the Persian camp to turn him away from Christianity and to execute him if he refused. They erected a cross, crucified Razhden, and prepared to shoot at the pious man with bow and arrow. His feast day is on August 3.