St. Giles (Aegidius)

An exquisite Greek Orthodox Icon of St. Giles.

St. Giles was born in Athens as Aegidius but lived in southern France during the 8th century. He fled Athens for Marseilles to avoid the honors his countrymen wished to pay him and fixed his hermitage in a desert spot near the mouth of the Rhone River.

He lived on wild roots, herbs and the milk of a deer, which he had befriended as it was being hunted down by the King’s hunters. One day, he was accidentally shot in the knee by an arrow that was meant for the deer. So that he might better mortify the flesh, St. Giles refused to have the knee treated and he remained disabled for life. The King greatly esteemed the holy hermit and gave him land on which to build a monastery which became the large and flourishing Abbey of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard.

Saint Giles is the “Patron Saint of the Handicapped.” His feast day is September 1st.

Made using traditional materials (selected aged timber frames, egg tempera, 24K gold leaf, natural powder paint and varnishes) and old techniques.

The icon bears the artist’s signature on the front and the seal of authenticity on the back.

We can have any image or Christian scene hand made on commission. Please take a look at an indicative list of additional icons available, or contact us for more information.