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The Holy Icon of St. John the Baptist "The Old" from Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos

Icon of St. John the Baptist "The Old" from Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos

Located in the southwest column of Dionysiou Monastery's main church, the miraculous icon is commonly known as "The Old Forerunner".

The Holy Icon of St. John the Baptist "The Old" from Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos
The Holy Icon of St. John the Baptist "The Old" from Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos

Historical Context

The icon survived a devastating fire in 1535 and was gifted by ruler Alexander for the miraculous healing of his son, Constantine. The silver-gilt cover frames the icon, accompanied by inscriptions dating back to 1564.

Iconography

St. John is portrayed holding his severed head and a staff ending in a cross. Notably, wings depicted in the metal overlay are absent in the original icon itself.

Significance and Influence

The iconography of St. John with wings can be traced back to medieval frescoes in Serbia, around 1296. This type of depiction gained prominence in the middle Byzantine period, and it continues to inspire sacred scripture and hymns.