St. Alexander Nevsky (1220-1263), Grand Prince of
Novgorod and Vladimir, defeated the Swedes at the Neva battle of
1240, which saved medieval Rus' from a full-scale enemy invasion from
the North. Two years later he defeated the Livonian branch of the
Teutonic Knights during the Battle of the Ice. He was canonized in 1547
by Russian Orthodox Church. He is the patron saint of soldiers and of the borders of Russia. As depicted in this small gem of an icon, angels
celebrate in heaven as the Patron Saint of St. Petersburg stands before
the capital buildings which can still be found there. He is robed as a Russian Great Prince, and wearing armor. This icon is
reminiscent of "Lives of" icons which were quite popular. They combined
important aspects: contact through prayer and the veneration of the image and the
opportunity to better understand the lives of the saints.
Meticulous engraving on jewelry-quality brass plates at the
Efremov Institute in St. Petersburg by a group of talented artists and certified
for authenticity by the St. Petersburg Church Council. 2" x 1 1/2".
