Mount Athos weathered lithography (icon) of Saint Laurence, Archdeacon of Rome, in pine wood with carved decoration.

Saint Laurence lived during the reign of Emperor Decius. The bishop of Rome at that time was Sixtus who ordered Lawrence to manage the utensils of the Church of Rome because there was a fear of impending persecution of Christians. The Saint, however, sold the property of the Church and distributed the money he collected to the poor.

Returning from Persia, Decius captured and beheaded Saint Sixtus. Saint Lawrence was sent to the emperor in order to sacrifice to the idols. But he refused and as a result he was imprisoned. In prison Laurence treated the sick from any disease. Seeing the miraculous abilities of the Saint, the chief constable Kallinikos embraced the Christian faith. Refusing to worship paganism, the deacon was thrown on a huge grill with burning coals. Fragments of the Holy Relic of Agios Lavrentios are found in the Monasteries of Panteleimon of Mount Athos and Kykkos in Cyprus.

The Orthodox Christian Church commemorates him on August 10 of each year.

Apolytikion of Saint Laurence the Archdeacon

Fourth Tone

Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.