Saint Rodrigo (Whirledge) Icon - S723

The lives and prayers of the martyrs of Christ are a source of great consolation to the faithful. Saint Rodrigo (Rodriguez, Rudericus, Roderic, Ruderic) of Cordoba was such a martyr. Painted by the hand of iconographer Brian Whirledge, this icon serves as a beautiful window into heaven and as a focal point for worship at home or in church.

Born in the 9^th century in Cordoba, Spain, Rodrigo grew up in a divisive family and under a government hostile to Christianity. It is recounted that Rodrigo had two brothers, one of Muslim conviction and the other either a Christian or irreligious. Rodrigo himself was a devout Christian and it is recorded by some that he became a priest of the Church.

The brothers had violent contention among themselves, and one day Rodrigo found his two brothers physically fighting after a dispute over religion. Rodrigo stepped in and tried to break up the fight, but instead the other two brothers turned against him and beat him until he was unconscious. The Muslim brother rode away with the half-dead Rodrigo in a cart and told the Muslim authorities that Rodrigo was deathly ill and had converted to Islam due to his extreme circumstances.

Of course, this was untrue. When Rodrigo returned to worshipping as a Christian, his Muslim brother denounced him to the authorities as an apostate from Islam. This was a capital offence, but Rodrigo was given a chance to deny his faith and to become a Muslim. However, he stood firm in his faith. As a result, he was imprisoned and finally executed. During these latter trials he befriended a fellow prisoner named Solomon who was being punished for the same crime. They were martyred together on March 13^th, 857 AD. This date continues to be celebrated as a feast in commemoration of their sacrifice.   

This icon is offered by Legacy Icons with the permission of the iconographer, Brian Matthew Whirledge.