Mount Athos weathered lithography (icon) of Saint Mavra the Great Martyr in pine wood with carved decoration.

Saint Mavra was the wife of Timothy, a reader and preacher of the Gospel in the Church of Penapeis in the Thebaid. They lived in the 3rd century AD. in Rome under Emperor Diocletian. After their marriage, Timothy was led before Arrian, ruler of Thebes, who asked him to hand over his Christian books. Timothy refused and as a result he was tortured horrifically. Then Arrian tried with flattery to persuade Agia Mavra to embrace the idols. She refused and the ruler handed her over to torture. Finally, the man and wife martyred on the cross and surrendered their souls to the Lord.

From 1331 AD Agia Mavra is glorified in the city of Lefkada of which he is the patron saint. The skull of the Saint is located in the homonymous Church of Koilani in Limassol, Cyprus. Fragment of the Holy Relic of the Saint is found in the Monastery of Kykkos in Cyprus and in the Church of Saint George of the Greeks in Venice. The Orthodox Christian Church celebrates her memory on May 3 of each year.

Apolytikion of Saints Timothy and Maura the Martyrs

Fourth Tone

To Timothy let us faithful render homage today together with Maura, his fellow contestant and wife, that most faithful bride of Christ, lauding their brave steadfastness; for by crucifixion they followed with longing in the steps of their Master, Who nailed the sins of all to the Cross when He was slain for us.