This is a modern Greek icon by N. Lionda of St. Thomas the Apostle, who was called Didymus.  He went by lot to India to preach the Gospel, angering a prince, who sent soldiers to kill him with spears.

The following "Simple Prayer" is  beautifully decorated on this 6 1/2 in. x 5 in. wood plaque: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred...let me sow love Where is injury...pardon, Where there is doubt...faith, Where there is despair...hope, Where there is darkness...light, Where there is sadness...joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To …

This is a contemporary Greek icon of the Apostle Timothy, one of the Seventy.  He was a close friend and devoted disciple of St. Paul, and traveled and preached with him in Achaia, Macedonia, Italy, and Spain.  Going to St. John in Ephesus after St. Paul was martyred, St. Timothy remained there as bishop after St. John's exile.  St. Timothy was killed by pagans in 93. 

This is an icon of St. James, son of Zebedee (died 45), brother of St. John the Evangelist.  This James is sometimes referred to as James the Greater.  He was, with Ss. Peter and his brother John, witness to the Transfiguration and called to come closer in Gethsemane where the Lord was sweating blood.

This is a modern Greek icon of the brothers and healers, Ss. Cosmas and Damian.  They were from Asia, unmercenaries, physicians and divine healers from prayer, who would never take any recompense for their lifelong treatment of suffering mankind.

This is a modern Greek icon of the young virgin martyr Christina, daughter of the governor of Tyre.  Converted at age 11, she shortly died for the Faith "once delivered to the saints."  She threw her tongue in her torturer's face, and died in the 3rd century.

This is a modern Greek icon of St. Helen by Monk Michael of Athos.  St. Helen beuilt over a dozen churches over the holy sites of our Lord's life in Palestine, and the first church at Sinai's Burning Bush.  She quietly reposed in 327, at the age of eighty.

(Theresa, Teresa) [1873-1897], Carmelite nun, who died at 24 years of age. During her life and at the time of her death she was unknown beyond the immediate circle of her family and sisters in religion. The posthumous publication of her memoir, Journal of a Soul, written at the request of her superior, brought spontaneous acclaim of her person and her deep, simple spirituality. St. Therese is a …

This prophet Daniel icon is a wall-painting from the Meteora in Greece.  The mouths of the lions are closed, and the angels are ministering to him from above.  Because Daniel did not follow the impious decree to pray to the King, he was sent to be eaten by lions.  In the morning the King found that Daniel was unharmed.

[1st Century], wife of St. Jaochim and mother of the Blessed Virgin, is a model of those whose true worth and merit are recognized in the character of their children. She is patron of housewives, women in labor, cabinetmakers, miners and Patroness of Canada. She is shown with Mary and Jesus. Her feast is July 26.

(Judas, Lebbeus) [1st Century], APOSTLE, brother of St. James the Less and kinsman of Jesus. His missionary journeys took him through the Near East and to martyrdom in Armenia. He is patron of hospital workers and those who find themselves in difficult, even hopeless, situations. Styled the Saint of the Impossible. His feast is October 28.

The frame is a lovely hand painted gold leaf scallop design all around.  The words are done in an elaborate script and are surrounded by a drawn floral motiff mat. The print measures 6 3/4in. in height and 5 1/8in. in width.  Made in Italy. This beautiful plaque reads: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred...let me sow love Where there is injury...pardon. …

(Helen, Helene, Elena) [250-330], Born in Bithynia in Asia. In her sixties, she became a Christian when her son Constantine became Emperor and allowed Christianity in the Empire. He greatly honored and respected his mother. Helena embraced all Christian virtues, especially Piety and Almsgiving. She helped build the Basilicas in Rome. She is credited with finding the True Cross of Christ and …

This is a Greek icon from Holy Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos.  The Forty Holy Martyrs were first stoned, but the stones turned back and hit those who threw them, including the commander whose teeth were smashed.  The idea of the frozen lake came next.

(Juliana, Julie, Julia) [1343-1423] is one of the most beloved mystics of all time. Dame Julian was a well-educated recluse under the spiritual direction of the Benedictines. Her Revelations of Divine Love is still in print and is one of the most beautiful and popular spiritual works in English. She has never been formally beatified in the Catholic Church, but is revered as a saint by the …

(Laurence, Laurent, Laurenz, Lorenzo, Lars) [died 258], Roman deacon and martyr, chief steward of the bishop of Rome. During the persecution by Valerian, St. Lawrence, at the insistence of Pope St. Sixtus, gave poor widows and orphans all the resources of that church, selling even the sacred vessels to increase the sum. For this and his faith he was cruelly martyred. He is patron and protector …

This is a Russian 16th century icon of the Evangelist Mark, who was a disciple of St. Peter, who gave him the direction to become the first preacher of the Gospel and first Bishop of Egypt, later being martyred there by being dragged over cobblestones.

[1381-1457], widow and Augustinian Nun. She was married to a rude, ill-tempered man who died a violent death. After entering the convent, she became mystic and received a terrible wound in her head that would not heal. She suffered much in life and is patron of impossible or desperate causes, especially marital troubles. The bee is a symbol of her industry; the rose, of her garden, that …

[1194-1253], friend and disciple of St. Francis of Assisi, was the founder of the Poor Clares, a community of women dedicated to the Franciscan ideal of joy in poverty. She is the patron of embroiderers, of television and of eye disorders. Her feast is August 11.

This is a 1672-1673 icon from Moraca Monastery in Montenegro.  St. Luke is shown painting the first icon of the Virgin from life, which she blessed with love.