Saint Zoe Icon – Engraved Arched Metal Frame

Description

Saint Zoe, also known as the Holy Martyr Zoe, lived in the Roman Empire during the 2nd AD. She, and her family, were Christians, persecuted for their faith under Emperor Hadrian. Her husband, Saint Hesperus, and sons, Saints Cyriacus and Theodulus, served as slaves to a Roman in Attalia. During their servitude, Zoe and her family refused to eat food which had been offered to the pagan gods and idols.

Catullus, their master, eventually sent them to Tritonia in an effort to convince them to denounce their Christian faith. Refusing to do so, Saint Zoe and her family stayed in Tritonia until Catullus called them back for his son’s birthday. When the feast was served, Zoe and her family refused to eat it as it had been offered to a goddess. Upon learning of their refusal to eat the food at the birthday, Catullus had Saints Cyriacus and Theodulus tortured in front of their parents, Saints Zoe and Hesperus. Next, Zoe and Hesperus were tortured, until they were all four thrown into a furnace. Saint Zoe is commemorated on May 2 by the Greek Orthodox Church.