Description
“Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not.” These words were recounted by the wise monk Silouan as given to him by God when he was struggling with the demons that tempted him. The message may seem at first dark to some, or even harsh. But they enclose a deeper truth. As David the King of Israel once wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 22: 4, Orthodox Study Bible). No matter how evil and dark one’s circumstance are, there is always one to hold on to and to hope in: Christ.
Iconographer Shayne Swenson depicts Silouan in an attitude of piercing meditation. The dark robes and background form a stunning contrast to the glowing gold of the halo, creating a visual presentation of the words of the saint written along the lower edge. While retaining the underlying structure of a traditional icon, Swenson has also made use of photos taken of the saint during his life to help present the saint as a recognizable figure.
Saint Silouan the Athonite was a Russian Orthodox monk who lived in the 19th-20th centuries at the Monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mount Athos. He was a great elder, with supernatural insight and powerful prayer. He was glorified in 1987, and his feast is celebrated on September 24. As a more recent saint, he serves as a great light and guide, demonstrating that saints can come from any time or place and not only in the distant past.
Available in a wide range of sizes and styles, this icon is a perfect addition to any home prayer corner or church setting. May it be a source of courage and a sign of hope in your own journey.
Delivery & Returns
PRODUCTION
Our icons are hand-crafted and made-to-order. Allow time for production. Please note that your chosen shipping method does not include production time. (For example, if you select 2 day shipping, your order will be delivered 2 days after it ships, not 2 days after the order is placed.) Please visit our Shipping FAQ page for more information about how long you can expect production to take.
SHIPPING
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations. Also note that we ship international orders DDU. When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page. Click here to learn more about shipping.
RETURN POLICY
We allow returns for many of our items, but restrictions apply. Please visit our Return Policy page for more information.
Customer Reviews
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Great office icon
Another icon I placed in my office for visibility and focus while I work, to remind myself of St. Silouan's words and example. The quality is outstanding, the image is striking. I paired this with the Shroud of Turin icon.
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St Silouan
This icon is so powerful. The fact that I was able to afford so many smaller ones is ideal. I can gift them to so many more friends. Just this morning I gave one to my choir director who’s dear friend, Father Silouan, had just passed away earlier in the week! Such a blessing!
