St. John of Damascus
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St. John of Damascus, was born in 680 into the family of the treasurer to the Caliph in Damascus. St. John eventually beceme a minister to the Caliph. Upon writing in defence of icons against iconoclasm, the emperor conspired to stop him. He forged letters implicating St.John in treasonous activity, causing the Caliph to cut off St. John's hand. St. John held the hand to his arm and prayed fervently before an icon of the Mother of God. When he awoke it had been miraculously restored. This then became the foundation for the "three-handed icon of the Mother of God." St. John decided not to return to the ministry of the Caliph despite the Caliph's forgiveness. instead he entered the St. Sabbas monastery and was ordained to the priesthood. He was forbidden by the Elder of the monastery to write until a vision of the Theotokos told the Elder to let him use his gifts. St. John is known as one of the great hymnographers and perhaps the greatest defender of Icons. The icon on the left (26-1/2" x 53") is part of my private collection.
(The Miraculous Healing of St. John of Damascus on the right (36" x 44") was done through the St. John of Damascus Icon Studio for the St. Peter and Paul Chapel at Antiochian Village
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