Object ID
2007.30.3
Object Name
Icon
Material
Metal; Paper; Wood
Object Entities
Demetrios, Saint (is related to)
Schemetekopf, Angela (is related to)
Object Description
Framed Icon of St. Demetrios spearing the gladiator Lyaeos. St. Demetrios is riding a horse on a cliff overlooking mountains. He is holding a long spear, and wearing armor and a red cape.

The frame is hammered brass, crudely nailed to plywood. Paper coats the back of the wood
Origin
Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki was a Christian martyr, who lived in the early 4th century. During the Middle Ages, he came to be revered as one of the most important Orthodox military saints, often paired with Saint George. His feast day is 26 October for Christians following the Gregorian calendar and 8 November for Christians following the Julian calendar.

St. Demetrius is depicted spearing the gladiator Lyaeos, who according to story was responsible for killing many Christians. Lyaeos is commonly depicted below Demetrius and lying supine, having already been defeated; Lyaeos is traditionally drawn much smaller than Demetrius. In traditional hagiography, Demetrius did not directly kill Lyaeos, but rather through his prayers the gladiator was defeated by Demetrius' disciple, Nestor.

This icon, donated with three others and a kandili, most likely rested in the families icon corner. The back reads Toula Kouimelis, the donor's mother.
Rights and Reproduction
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Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Citation
Icon, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/7717. Accessed 03/28/24.