Saint Michael Paknanas the Gardener

Orthodox icon of Saint Michael Paknanas the Gardener 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. Michael was born to very poor but pious and faithful parents in Athens in 1753. Consequently, he did not go to school but learned gardening instead. One day when he was 18 years old, as he was returning from the villages of Attica with his donkey, he was seized by some Muslims and accused falsely of transporting gunpowder to some rebel Greeks who had become allies of the Russians. The Muslims beat him up and brought him before the kadi who had him put in jail. There, he was visited by other Muslims who threatened Michael and attempted to convert him to the Islamic faith. After 30 days of incarceration, he was returned to the kadi who began to flatter Michael and promised to spare his life if only he would consent and embrace Islam. Michael, however, refused saying: ''I will not become a Muslim! I will not become a Turk!''. Consequently he was sent to the so-called Kalopasha from Ioannina to decide on his fate. Then the same thing occured: the same threats and promises, but also the same refusal from Michael. As a result, Michael was sentenced to death and beheated. His feast day is on July 9 and June 30 and is the patron saint of gardeners, dieticians and nutritionists.