Saint John the Evangelist & Theologian

Saint John the Evangelist (c. 6–98 AD), also known as Saint John the Theologian, was the beloved Apostle of Christ, the son of Zebedee and brother of Saint James. He is the only one of the Twelve Apostles who did not die a martyr's death, living to an extreme old age in Ephesus, where he cared for the Theotokos until her Dormition.

Saint John is the author of the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse), written during his exile on the island of Patmos. His Gospel opens with the sublime Prologue — "In the beginning was the Word" — and is distinguished by its profound theological depth, earning him the unique title of "Theologian" in the Orthodox Church, a title shared only with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint Symeon the New Theologian.

He is depicted in icons in silence, with an eagle — his Gospel symbol — and often with his disciple Prochorus. His feast days are May 8 (repose) and September 26 (repose of the Evangelist). Browse our handcrafted Orthodox icons and devotional items honoring Saint John the Evangelist and Theologian, made in our Ohio workshop using traditional Byzantine embroidery techniques.