Further reading
On Coptipedia, the Coptic encyclopedia (in French)
Certificate of authenticity
Delivered with your artwork
Your hand-painted icon comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Armia Elkatcha. It identifies your artwork, its dimensions, its number and its completion date.
- Artist
- Armia Elkatcha
- Artwork
- Saint Damiana and the forty virgins
- Dimensions
- 90 × 130 cm
- Certificate number
- Assigned to your completed artwork
- Completion date
- Recorded upon completion
Armia Elkatcha’s signature
Signed by the artist on the certificate delivered with the artwork
Apostles, martyrs and saints
Saint Damiana and the forty virgins
Unique and personalized icon by Armia Elkatcha. Size to choose. Be careful, the smaller the icon, the less detail the artist can insert into it. The photo corresponds to size XL.
Prices include French VAT at 5.5%
Hand-painted on request · Delivered in 2 to 4 months · Free delivery
'Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.'
Revelation 2:10
According to Coptic tradition, Saint Damiana (Dimyana) was the only daughter of Mark, governor of the region of Borollos in the Nile Delta, in the time of Emperor Diocletian (late 3rd century). Consecrated to Christ, she obtained from her father a secluded palace where she lived in prayer with forty young women. When her father, out of fear of the emperor, agreed to offer incense to the idols, she went to him and brought him back to the faith; he died a martyr. Diocletian then had Damiana arrested. She and the forty virgins refused to deny Christ and together received the crown of martyrdom. A large monastery bears her name near Bilqas, in the Delta. The Coptic Church celebrates her on 13 Tobi (21 January).
References: Revelation 2:10; Revelation 7:9-14; Matthew 25:1-13; Matthew 10:32-33.
Studio journal
From preparing the support to the final details: the usual stages of a hand-painted icon.
Prepare the wood
The wooden support is prepared to receive the drawing, gold leaf and paint.
Draw the composition
The scene, figures and symbols are arranged according to the chosen representation and size.
Apply the gold leaf
Gilding brings light to the background and halos, in the tradition of the Coptic icon.
Paint the icon
Colours, garments and faces are painted by hand. The level of detail is adapted to the size of the artwork.
Finish and authenticate
The final details and finishing touches are completed. The artist signs the certificate bearing the artwork’s number and date.
