Exquisitely painted in the high Byzantine tradition, a style whose roots can be traced back to the Hellenistic age, the two saints Jacob and Diomedes originally formed part of a procession of saints in an orthodox cathedral. Though painted on a flat surface, their elegant and classical robes give them a weighty, sculptural quality. Their faces, as befits holy persons, appear gentle and compassionate. The frame and background are rendered in the ornate decorative patterns so beloved of the Orthodox Church. A true masterpiece, this magnificent icon transcends the boundaries of faith to leave a spiritual impression on all who see it.