St. Priscilla
Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Wood Panel
7" x 9.5"

The icon of King David from the previous post and this icon of St Priscilla present the same color schemes as they were commissioned by a husband and wife and thus will be kept as a pair.  St. Priscilla is shown holding a cross, a symbol of martyrdom, and her left hand raised, palm open to the viewer, a typical gesture (such as the icon of Our Lady of the Sign [Oranta]) which symbolizes an appeal to God in prayer as well as steadfastness of faith and a renunciation of the world. (1,2)

St. Priscilla and her husband St. Aquila were first century Christians described in the New Testament as a presence that strengthened the early Christian groups.

Originally from Pontus (in Egypt), they moved to Rome to work as tentmakers. After they were exiled from Rome during the Emperor Claudius' expulsion of the Jews from Italy in 49 AD they moved to Corinth where they met St. Paul. They lived, worked, and traveled with the Apostle Paul, becoming his honored, much-loved friends and coworkers. They then followed Paul to Ephesus and established a church in their house. In Ephesus they discipled Apollo, a famous early evangelist in the Church. After Claudius' death, they went to Rome and established a church in their home there. In the end, around 58 AD, they returned to Ephesus, where St. Aquila was a bishop along with St. Timothy.

It was probably in Ephesus that they were martyred by pagans.

Sts Priscilla and Aquila remain important sources of inspiration and great examples of selfless service, hospitality, devotion to God and readiness to accept His will.

Troparion in Tone Eight: Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Priscilla; for thou didst carry the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.