How to Choose a Patron Saint Icon as a Gift

A patron saint icon can be a meaningful gift for Baptism, a name day, Chrismation, marriage, or another important occasion. The first task is to identify the correct saint rather than choosing only by a person's first name.

Why can the name be confusing? Several saints may share the same name. Baptismal information, family tradition, the feast date, or the parish can help confirm the intended patron.

Does the icon have to come from the person's ethnic tradition? No. Greek, Ukrainian, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, and other canonical Orthodox icon traditions belong to the wider Orthodox Church.

What size is appropriate? Consider where the icon will be used: a small bedside or travel icon serves a different purpose from a larger home prayer-corner icon.

For help identifying the saint, see What Is a Patron Saint? and icons.html">How Can You Identify Saints in Orthodox Icons?.