“Saint Eustratius Healing a Possessed Man,” created by the artist known as “Orthodox Icons,” is dated between approximately 1100 and 1150. This artwork belongs to the Middle Byzantine art movement, specifically the Komnenian style, spanning the years 1081 to 1185. It falls within the genre of icons and is part of a series depicting saints. The artwork is housed in Saint Catherine’s Monastery, located on Mount Sinai in Egypt.
The artwork portrays a poignant moment of spiritual healing. Central to the composition is Saint Eustratius, depicted with a halo, indicative of his sanctity. He is shown in an authoritative yet compassionate gesture, reaching out towards a distressed man, who is bent over and appears to be under some form of affliction or possession. Surrounding the central figures are architectural elements such as arches and columns, each adorned with intricate patterns, which frame the scene and draw attention to the miracle taking place. To the right, three individuals stand behind the possessed man, perhaps assisting or bearing witness to the saint’s miraculous intervention. The vivid use of color, particularly the reds and golds, and the overall composition, typify the meticulous and spiritually significant nature of Byzantine iconography.
