St Oran of Iona

This is an icon of St Oran of Iona contemplating his ultimate sacrifice for Christ and his fellow monastics. There is a story that the first monks on Iona could not build their monastery, because the local pagan gods demanded human sacrifice (as St Columba was shown in a vision), so St Oran offered to be buried alive. The story goes that the very first Christian Altar on Iona was built over St Oran’s grave. To this day, that church and the ancient cemetery carry his name.

Whether or not this story is real, whether it is a metaphor for the spiritual sacrifice of a monk, giving his life for the love of Christ and the love of his neighbour, only the Saints know. It is amazing, though, that the only building on Iona that is still standing today is St Oran’s Chapel. All the other building were taken down or collapsed under ruin – St Oran’s Chapel, a humble Altar built over St Oran’s holy relics, is the only one still standing.
May our own sacrifice be remembered before Christ’s Throne the way He remembers St Oran and his live-giving sacrifice.
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Available sizes:
Large: 26.5 cm x 19.3 cm
Medium: 19.6 cm x 14.5 cm
Small: 13.8 cm x 10.1 cm
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The icon is a very high quality reproduction of an original Mull Monastery commission. It is mounted on durable, light wood, with round edges and a hanging hole.
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The prices shown INCLUDE all tax, packaging and postage costs – you will only pay what is shown, and you have an option to add a donation through the checkout process.
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To read more about St Oran, visit our dedicated icon blog