For most Christians, the icon of Stefanida of Damascus became a sign of faith and struggle, which is carried out through pain and torment. In this church relic, all the power of the word of God is concentrated, which indicates a person to his purpose and the truth of life, helps to take the righteous path.
"Stefanida Damask" is an icon that allows a person to concentrate all his inner will in order to be ready to sacrifice himself in the name of justice. Many righteous revere her, study her history and significance. These and other issues will be discussed in more detail in this article.
Icon "Stephanis of Damascus": history
In 175, when the reign of Marcus Aurelius was in Syria , in the city of Damascus lived one of his fighters named Victor, who was a true Christian. He was ordered to offer a sacrifice to idols, having renounced Christ. But the warrior objected, shouting openly and loudly, that he is a warrior of the King of Heaven and will honor only him alone. After the incident, the man was betrayed to all kinds of torment. His fingers were broken, his body burned with fire, pulled from a living vein, poisoned with poison, and so on. Victor suffered all his torment with courage, not ceasing to pray to God. Despite everything, he remained alive.
The wife of one of the soldiers, who was called Stefanida, stood up for the warrior, glorifying his suffering. She was also a Christian, but in secret. And when Stefanida of Damascus, whose icon is familiar to many, saw angels coming down from heaven, she realized that she also needed to stand up for her faith in Christ. The executioners saw in the young woman a victim for torment. They tied her to two trees to divide her body into parts. Women attached one leg to the top of the tilted tree, and the other to the second and released them. When the trees rose in height, they tore Stefanida in two. The woman’s soul, like a bird that freed herself from a trap, found refuge in heaven. After all this, the executioners chopped off Victor’s head. So, Stefanida and Victor Damask, having suffered for Christ, proved their faith in the Lord, showed everyone his miraculous power.
Value
The icon "Stefanida of Damascus" helps a person who addresses her to understand himself, to realize himself as a person, thereby finding peace and tranquility. An icon helps a believer to determine his future life, to make it righteous to the very end. Another distinguishing feature of the icon is the love of one's neighbor, which determines the level of spirituality of people, because every Christian is ready for much for the sake of justice, sometimes even to defend a stranger.
The miraculous power of the icon
Today, many people come to the holy face , turning to him with various requests. All those who ask are always waiting for the icon "Stefanida Damask". How does this saint help? was considered above. It saves a person not only from mental disorders, but also from physical ailments. The holy face strengthens the will of people, helps to gain internal strength for the struggle with both external enemies and internal demons.
"Stefanida of Damascus" is an icon, which allows every Christian to understand the meaning of sacrifice in various life situations, to adhere to his principles and views, to be always faithful to them.
Veneration
Victor and Stefanida of Damascus were killed on November 11, 175 in the city of Damascus. To this day, the memory of the holy great martyrs is still revered. Their relics, according to some reports, are located in the city of Fano (Italy). Until that time, they were stationed in Constantinople. You can see the icon in any Orthodox church, since it is part of the service.
Iconography
In Orthodox iconography, the martyr Stefanida is depicted as a young woman dressed in a blue tunic. On top of the tunic, a red mantle is usually worn in the form of a long veil that is buttoned on the collar and goes down to the knees. It symbolizes the renunciation of idolatry, and its red color is the torment of Stephenis, as well as the victory of life over death. The edges of the mantle are trimmed with a blue border. The blue tunic personifies the heavenly purity of the martyr, is a symbol of eternal peace. A cross is usually placed in the hands of a great martyr.
The holy martyr Stefanida is depicted on the icon with her head covered, since the praying woman already had to cover her head as a sign of the angels' power over her. So, the covered head is evidence of the martyr's stay in prayer, her disposition to humility. The white color of the matter that covers the head symbolizes Divine light, purity, holiness and simplicity. Only righteous souls were clothed in white robes. A halo is visible above the head of the martyr - the radiance of light and divine glory. He transforms a man who is united with God.
"Stefanis of Damascus" - an icon that has become a symbol of faith in the justice of many Christians. The Great Martyr is considered pure and wise, honest and righteous. To date, the holy face of Stefanida has helped many people find themselves, choose their life path and walk righteously on it.