Hand-painted Byzantine icon of Saints Cyrus and John the Unmercenaries, made in Mount Athos, on natural wood. The icon is delivered in a wooden box.
Saints Cyrus and John originated from Alexandria and Edessa of Mesopotamia, respectively. They lived in the 3rd century and were martyred during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Cyrus was a physician, who offered his medical services without charge. Later, he embraced monastic life in a region of Arabia, where he met John and together, they began their God-pleasing work. They were operating in missionary activities and strengthening Christians, who were facing persecution. When the widow Saint Athanasia and her daughters, Theodote, Theoktiste, and Eudoxia, were arrested for their faith, the two monks encouraged them, urging them to stand firm against the horrific tortures they faced. As a result of their actions, Cyrus and John were also arrested. They endured severe tortures and were eventually beheaded alongside the widow and her daughters in the year 292 A.D. The Church commemorates their memory on January 31.
