Icon Not Made by Hands

The Icon not Made by Hands came into being during the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Prince Avgar of Edessa suffered from leprosy all over his body.  He heard of Christ’s miracles and sent a portrait painter by the name of Ananias to bring Our Lord to Edessa.  He instructed him that if Our Lord could not come, then he should paint His likeness believing that the image alone would heal him.  The Lord’s Passion was at hand - wiping his face with a napkin - it left a perfect likeness and he gave it to St. Ananias to give to Prince Avgar.   Our Lord also sent a message saying that while His image would heal Prince Avgar to a degree - an envoy to be sent later would heal him completely.  When given the holy relic to kiss, Prince Avgar’s leprosy left him except for a small area on his face.  It was the Apostle Thaddeus who preached the gospel to him.  He completed Prince Avgar’s healing and baptized him.  The Prince then destroyed the idols above the city gates and placed the Holy Napkin above the city with the inscription “O Christ our God, no one who hopes in Thee will ever be put to shame.”

Giclée (reproduction) available