Orthodox icon “Panteleimon the Healer” 925 silver

There are gifts you buy. And there are gifts you pass on — because they carry something greater than the giver themselves. An icon of Saint Panteleimon belongs to the second category. It carries the wish for healing. The wish that someone dear to you will recover. This wish the giver holds in their hand — and passes it on.

Saint Panteleimon — Physician, Martyr, Healer

Panteleimon lived in the 3rd century in Nicomedia, a city on the Sea of Marmara. He was a physician — trained, educated, respected at the Emperor's court. Then he met the priest Hermolaus, who led him to the Christian faith. From that moment on, Panteleimon no longer treated his patients with medicines alone. He prayed over them. And those who were considered incurable recovered.

When Emperor Maximian learned of this and urged Panteleimon to renounce his faith, he refused. He was executed on July 27, 305 AD. The Orthodox Church has since revered him as a Great Martyr and Healer — as one who had the gift of healing and passed it on until his last moment.

Why one gives a Panteleimon icon as a gift

In the Orthodox tradition, an icon is not just a picture on the wall. It is a window — a connection between the believer and the saint to whom they pray. A Panteleimon icon is placed when someone is ill. When a doctor prays before surgery. When a mother hopes her child will recover. When one prays for someone they love and cannot help.

Whoever gives this icon as a gift is not giving a decoration. They are giving a prayer — cast in silver, for the duration of a generation or longer.

Niello Engraving in 925 Silver — six steps, an unmistakable black

The depiction of the Saint — face, robes, halo, the attributes of a physician — is individually engraved into the silver by the goldsmiths in Veliky Ustyug. Every line, every fold of the garment, every contour of the face is a deliberate choice. Then follows the niello: a black silver-sulfur alloy is melted into the engraved grooves, cooled, ground, and polished. Six steps for a black that is permanently embedded in the metal — no lacquer, no paint, no coating. The niello is part of the silver itself.

The partial gilding highlights the halo and parts of the robes. The characteristic triad — silver, gold, black — is the unmistakable feature of Niello icons from Veliky Ustyug.

220 Grams of Silver — palpable presence on the home altar

The icon is mounted on a wooden base. With a weight of 220 g and dimensions of 141 × 121 mm, it has a presence that is immediately felt when held. Large enough for a home altar or a place of honor in the living room. Compact enough for a bedside table or personal prayer space. Wall mounting is possible; the wooden base also provides stability for the icon when standing.

When to give a Panteleimon icon as a gift

On the Saint's name day (July 27) — traditionally a more important celebration than a birthday in the Orthodox world. As a recovery gift for someone who has overcome a severe illness. As a token of gratitude to a doctor or caregiver. As a protective gift for a child being baptized. As a keepsake for someone who venerates Panteleimon as their personal patron saint. As an heirloom — an icon passed down from generation to generation.

Upon request, we will include a personal SilverVerse card in photo format (10 × 15 cm) — custom-designed for the occasion, currently free of charge.

SevChern — Veliky Ustyug since 1683

The SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug has been cultivating the niello tradition for over 340 years. Veliky Ustyug is located in northern Russia, away from the big cities — and precisely for this reason, it is one of the few places where this technique has never been interrupted. The gold medal at the 1937 Paris World Exhibition stands for the international recognition of an art that has almost disappeared in Western Europe. Every icon from this house is the result of a living, unbroken tradition.

Care

Dust the icon with a soft, dry cloth. No silver dip — gilding and niello would be damaged. If necessary, carefully polish the plain silver surfaces with a silver polishing cloth. Keep the wooden base dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

For whom is a Panteleimon icon suitable as a gift?
For Orthodox Christians who venerate a personal patron saint. As a recovery gift, name day gift (July 27), baptism gift, or as a thank-you to doctors and caregivers. You can find other Orthodox gifts made of 925 silver in our collection Orthodox Silver Gifts.

What distinguishes this icon from printed or silver-plated icons?
This icon is made of solid 925 Sterling Silver with genuine niello engraving — every line is individually engraved into the metal, and the black silver alloy is permanently melted in. This is a fundamentally different process than any form of printing, coating, or silver plating.

Can I take the icon as a recovery gift to a clinic or hospital?
Yes — the compact dimensions (141 × 121 mm) and stable casing make the icon easily transportable. The wooden base stands freely even without hanging. You can find other religious gifts in our Religious Gifts Collection.

Are there other icons with different saints from SevChern?
Yes — SevChern produces icons of various saints using the same niello technique. Discover the full range in our Orthodox Gifts Collection.

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