About Us

About Orthodox Gifts & Crafts

Orthodox Gifts & Crafts is a U.S.-based embroidery workshop producing fully embroidered Orthodox icons and devotional textiles. Our work is available through our main website as well as official storefronts on Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Handmade.

Welcome to our shop — one of the largest family-run makers of machine-embroidered Orthodox icons in North America, producing well over 210 unique embroidered icons and prayer cards, all crafted in our Ohio workshop. Our catalog is one of the most extensive collections of embroidered Orthodox iconography available online, and it continues to grow month after month.


My name is Luke, and this shop began very simply: by making wood-burned icons and printed icons for our little Orthodox mission. I wanted to help beautify our worship and make sacred images more accessible.


Everything changed when I discovered liturgical embroidery.


I absolutely fell in love with the depth, texture, and reverence of embroidered iconography—only to realize how hard it had become to find. Traditional Church embroidery has been in sharp decline, and much of this beautiful art is disappearing. Once I saw that, I knew I wanted to do my part to preserve and continue this tradition in whatever small way I could.


That desire grew into what Orthodox Gifts & Crafts is today.



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How We Work


Every icon in this shop is embroidered in-house in our Ohio workshop using industrial multi-needle embroidery machines. We produce multiple sizes—from small pocket icons all the way up to framed wall icons—and we are constantly expanding the number of saints, feasts, and iconographic variations we offer.


We are committed to:


✔ Embroidering, cutting, trimming, and finishing every icon by hand

✔ Using licensed, high-quality designs from trusted digitizers

✔ Following traditional Orthodox color palettes and iconographic standards

✔ Maintaining deep inventory so even larger or repeat orders ship quickly


My wife assists with finishing, packaging, and framing, and our children often help prepare materials and organize stock. This truly is a family workshop.



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Why Embroidered Icons?


Embroidered icons have a unique presence. The raised stitches, subtle sheen, and tactile surface create a sense of richness that printed images simply can't match. At the same time, they are durable and practical for homes, missions, parishes, chapels, and bookstores.


Because embroidered liturgical art has become so rare, our mission is twofold:


1. To make embroidered icons accessible and affordable for the faithful throughout the Americas.

2. To help keep this sacred form of Church art alive—one icon at a time.



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Our Commitment to You


When you order from Orthodox Gifts & Crafts, you're supporting a small family workshop with a deep love for the Church and her saints. We strive to offer:


Reverence and care in every design


Fair, honest pricing


Fast, reliable shipping


Quality you can see and feel the moment you open the package



Thank you for visiting our shop, for supporting our family, and for helping us continue the tradition of embroidered Orthodox iconography.


— Luke

Orthodox Gifts & Crafts

🧱 Embroidered Orthodox Icons

Orthodox icons have traditionally been written in paint, but they are not limited to paint alone.
Across the Orthodox world, icons have also been rendered in mosaic, carving, and textiles.

Embroidered Orthodox icons are a textile form of iconography—created with thread instead of pigment—while preserving the same sacred imagery and tradition.

Each icon is not simply decorative. It is made to be used, handled, and kept as part of daily prayer.

What Is an Embroidered Orthodox Icon?

An embroidered Orthodox icon is an icon created through high-density stitching rather than brushwork.

Instead of layers of paint, the image is built:

  • stitch by stitch
  • color by color
  • using carefully digitized designs

The result is a textured, dimensional representation of the icon that maintains clarity, structure, and detail.

While the method differs, the purpose remains the same:

  • to aid in prayer
  • to provide a visible connection to the saints
  • to bring sacred imagery into daily life

Why Choose Embroidered Icons?

Embroidered icons offer qualities that differ from printed or painted icons:

  • Texture and depth – thread creates a tactile surface rather than a flat image
  • Consistency – each icon maintains the same structure and clarity
  • Portability – especially in smaller formats, they can be easily carried or kept close
  • Durability – properly constructed embroidery holds up to regular handling

For many, embroidered icons provide a balance between traditional imagery and practical use.

How Embroidered Orthodox Icons Are Made

Creating an embroidered Orthodox icon begins long before the machine starts stitching.

Each design must be:

  • carefully digitized
  • mapped for stitch direction and density
  • structured to preserve facial detail and symbolic elements

The icon is then stitched using controlled sequencing to ensure:

  • clean transitions between colors
  • stable structure across the design
  • accurate rendering of the original iconography

This process is not automated decoration—it is a deliberate translation of sacred imagery into thread.

Designed for Real Devotional Use

Orthodox icons are not meant to sit untouched.

They are:

  • held during prayer
  • placed in prayer corners
  • carried in daily life
  • treated with reverence and care

Because of this, embroidered Orthodox icons must be made with real use in mind.

Our approach prioritizes:

  • structural integrity
  • long-term consistency
  • materials that maintain their form over time

These are not designed for display alone—they are made to be lived with.

Our Approach to Embroidered Orthodox Icons

Every embroidered Orthodox icon we produce is created with a focus on:

  • Clarity of the image – preserving the expression and detail of the saint
  • Balanced stitch density – ensuring durability without distortion
  • Consistent finishes – clean edges and stable construction
  • Reliable materials – chosen for long-term performance, not just initial appearance

This results in icons that remain consistent, stable, and recognizable over time.

Sizes and Types of Embroidered Icons

We offer embroidered Orthodox icons in multiple sizes to fit different uses:

Pocket Icons

Small, portable icons designed to be carried daily or kept close during prayer.
👉 Browse pocket icons

Medium Icons

Versatile icons suitable for home prayer corners or personal devotion.
👉 Browse medium icons

Large Icons

Larger format icons designed for prominent placement in a home or chapel setting.
👉 Browse large icons

Each size serves a different purpose, but all are created with the same attention to detail and structure.

A Different Standard

Embroidered Orthodox icons can be made in many ways.

Our focus is not on shortcuts or surface-level appearance, but on creating icons that:

  • hold their structure
  • maintain their clarity
  • remain consistent through regular use

Because an icon is not meant to be temporary.

It should remain what it is meant to be—
a stable, lasting presence in prayer.

If you are looking to buy embroidered Orthodox icons online, our collection offers a wide range of sacred images crafted with care and reverence. From classic depictions of Christ and the Mother of God to saints honored throughout the Orthodox Church, our embroidered icons are created for faithful use in prayer and devotion.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What are embroidered Orthodox icons?**
Embroidered Orthodox icons are sacred images created using thread and stitching rather than paint or print. They follow traditional Orthodox iconography while offering texture and durability.

**Are embroidered icons appropriate for prayer?**
Yes. Embroidered Orthodox icons are suitable for icon corners and personal prayer, just like painted or printed icons, when created with reverence and theological care.

**What sizes of embroidered icons do you offer?**
We offer embroidered icons in multiple sizes, from small personal icons to larger pieces suitable for display in the home.

**Can I purchase embroidered Orthodox icons online?**
Yes. All of our embroidered Orthodox icons are available for purchase directly through our online store.