Saint Eleftherios – Byzantine Wooden Mounted Icon

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Saint Eleftherios in the Orthodox Church?

A: Saint Eleftherios (also spelled Eleftheris or Eleutherius) was a young bishop and martyr of the early Christian Church, believed to have lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian or Commodus in the 2nd century. He was reportedly ordained as a bishop at a very young age by Pope Anicetus of Rome and was later arrested, tortured, and martyred for refusing to renounce his Christian faith. His name in Greek, Ελευθέριος (Eleftherios), means “the free one” or “liberator” — a deeply meaningful name for a man who chose spiritual freedom over earthly life. He is venerated together with his mother, Anthia, who was also martyred alongside him. His feast day is celebrated on December 15th in the Orthodox Church.

Q: Why is Saint Eleftherios venerated in the Orthodox Church?

A: Saint Eleftherios is honored as a holy martyr whose young age and steadfast courage in the face of persecution made him a powerful witness to the Christian faith. His willingness to suffer and die rather than deny Christ, and the moving story of his mother Anthia sharing in his martyrdom, have made him a beloved figure of family devotion and spiritual courage. He is also venerated as a protector of children and expectant mothers in some Orthodox traditions.

Q: Is this icon a good name day gift for someone named Eleftherios or Lefteris?

A: Absolutely. This icon is a deeply meaningful name day gift for anyone named Eleftherios, Lefteris, Eleftheria, or Eleftheriou — whose name day is celebrated on December 15th in the Orthodox Church. It is also a beautiful gift for baptisms, housewarmings, graduations, or any occasion where you want to honor someone with a connection to this beloved saint.

Q: How is this icon made?

A: Each icon is handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York by CMT Graphics. A high-quality printed sacred image is applied to solid wood using the decoupage technique — a method of carefully layering and sealing the image onto the wood for a durable, long-lasting finish. Every piece is hand-finished, so slight variations in color or surface texture are a natural and expected part of the handmade process.

Q: Is this a hand-painted icon?

A: No. This is a handmade wooden mounted icon created using the decoupage technique — not an original hand-painted or hagiographic icon. It is made with reverence for Orthodox iconographic tradition and is intended as a meaningful devotional piece for home use, gifting, or personal prayer.

Q: What size is this icon?

A: This icon measures 2.5″ x 3.5″ — a compact, pocket-sized format that fits beautifully on a prayer corner shelf, nightstand, home office desk, or car dashboard. Its small size also makes it easy to ship and a practical gift to give.

Q: Does it come with a magnet?

A: Yes! The back of the icon features a strong magnet, so you can display it easily on a refrigerator, metal cabinet, or any magnetic surface — no nails or hardware required.

Q: Where can I display this icon?

A: This icon is well-suited for a home prayer corner, bedroom nightstand, office desk, car dashboard, or boat cabin. The strong back magnet makes it easy to attach to any metal surface. Many people also place it near their front door as a blessing for all who enter the home.

Q: Is this a good baptism or christening gift?

A: Yes — a Saint Eleftherios icon makes a thoughtful and lasting baptism gift, especially for a child being baptized near his feast day (December 15th) or for a family with special devotion to this saint. Paired with one of our personalized christening invitations, it creates a beautiful and complete gift set.

Q: Can I order this icon if a name day or feast day is coming up soon?

A: We recommend placing your order as early as possible. If a name day is approaching, please contact us via our Contact page and we’ll do our best to accommodate your timeline.

Q: Can I request a custom size for my favorite Saint, Lord, or Panagia for my home?
A: Yes! Since we manufacture every piece in our home-studio, we can accommodate custom prepaid requests to fit your specific home prayer corner (iconostasis) or wall display. Please email us at shop@cmtgraphics.com to discuss your custom project.