Saint John, Angel in the desert, restored antique Russian icon, 19th century, 35x30 cm

Saint John, Angel in the desert, restored antique Russian icon, 19th century, 36x30 cm. Icon of the Czarist Russia of the 19th century painted by hand and restored on an antique wood plank of the 19th century.
The icon represents Saint John as the "angel in the flesh", holding a plate with his own head in the right hand, remembering his martyrdom, and a scroll with the prophecy in the other.
The wings symbolise John's condition of divine messenger, because, as Jesus Christ said: "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist".
Saint John is also called earthy angel and heavenly man, for this same virtue of him.
Jonh's life in the desert was angelic for two reasons. First he proclamed the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ, becoming the God's herald, as all angels, and that's why he is called "Angel of the desert". And second, he lived a life of chastity, abstinence and prayer, without caring for wordly possessions, but always looking at Heaven.
Icon painted en wood levkas with egg tempera by Russian masters of the Golden Ring, delivered with certificate of authenticity.