Icon of Saint Eleutherios holding a Gospel

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Wood, Tempera paint, Gold leaf
Date range: 16th century AD
Origin: From Messina, Sicily

This is a rectangular wooden icon depicting a bust of Saint Eleutherios, identified by the text visible in the book he holds. The saint is presented frontally and is wearing the vestments of a bishop or priest. He has a dark beard and hair, and his face is characterized by a solemn, focused expression, typical of Byzantine iconography.

Saint Eleutherios wears a red outer robe (phelonion or sakkos) with white vertical stripes, suggesting rich liturgical vestments. Over his shoulders, he wears a broad white omophorion (a band of fabric worn by bishops) decorated with three prominent black crosses. His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing or address. In his left hand, he holds an open Gospel book, where a passage of Greek and Latin text is partially visible.

A depiction of the saint with scenes from his life (though only the main bust is visible in this specific image) and originated from Messina, Sicily, dating to the 16th century AD. The gold leaf background is visible above the saint's head, which is surrounded by a faint halo. The combination of Greek inscriptions and Latin text on the book reflects the cultural and religious interchange present in 16th-century Sicily.

Museum label reference: Icon with Saint Eleutherios and scenes from his life. From Messina, Sicily. 16th c. BXM 2035

Original Text: Εικόνα του αγίου Ελευθερίου με σκηνές του βίου του. Από τη Μεσσήνη της Σικελίας. 16ος αι. BXM 2035

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Icon with Saint Eleutherios and scenes from his life

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Source:  Athens, Greece