The Iconoclastic Heresy of the 8th century was a movement to prohibit the use of icons in the Church. The fear was that people were worshipping icons as false gods. In the defence of icons, St John Damascene wrote a book, On Divine Images. As a punishment, the heretical Byzantine emperor, Leo, had the saint's right hand cut off. When St John prayed before an icon of the Theotokos for Her intercession, his hand was miraculously restored. St John commissioned a hand of pure silver and attached it to the icon. Many icons derived from the original icon have the third hand painted onto the image. (#88) 4x6"

Icon #88 $195.00