Eastern Orthodox Silver Icon Pendant — Holy Face of Christ (Mandylion), Prayer Reverse

Cast silver icon pendant in the traditional arched shape, with a raised petal-and-bead border framing both sides.

The front shows the Holy Face of Christ (the Mandylion, or Image Not Made by Hands) — the face of Christ with a cross-halo bearing the Greek letters ὁ ὢν (“The One Who Is”), and the abbreviation IC XC either side. The reverse carries a Church Slavonic prayer: “Save me, my Saviour, by Thy mercy, not by my deeds.”

Circa 1990s, Eastern European Orthodox tradition. Weight 2.18 g. Fitted with an oval jump-ring bail. Natural patina in the recesses brings out the relief — a gentle clean will brighten it further if you prefer.

Small, wearable and quietly detailed. Chain and box not included.

About this piece

This silver icon pendant belongs to the Orthodox tradition of protective devotional jewellery, cast in the characteristic arched shrine form with a beaded border that frames both faces equally. The front depicts the Mandylion — the Holy Face of Christ — with the halo inscribed ὁ ὢν (“The One Who Is”) and the sacred monogram IC XC on either side. The reverse carries a Church Slavonic invocation: “Save me, my Saviour, by Thy mercy, not by my deeds.”

Cast in silver and weighing 2.18 g, it is light enough for daily wear on a chain of your choice. The natural patina that has settled into the recesses enhances the relief detail; a gentle clean with a soft cloth will restore shine without losing character. The oval jump-ring bail is secure. Dating from the 1990s and of Eastern European Orthodox craft, this pendant holds genuine spiritual meaning for believers and quietly rewards close inspection by anyone drawn to religious iconography and metalwork.