Appointment · Office · Retirement
A gift for a notary: Saint Mark, patron of notaries
A notary keeps the written word that bears witness. It is no accident that their patron is Saint Mark the Evangelist, who set the Gospel down in writing: in icons he sits at his desk, with book and pen. For a notary, a hand-painted icon is a meaningful gift that speaks of their own calling.
Saint Mark, patron of notaries
Saint Mark is the patron of notaries and scribes. In Byzantine iconography he is shown writing the Gospel, accompanied by the winged lion, his symbol; in the Western tradition he is the saint of Venice, the city that keeps his relics in the Basilica dedicated to him. An icon of Saint Mark, or of the four Evangelists, is the gift most in keeping with the notarial profession.
Office
Icon on the wall of a professional office.
Library
Among the codes and volumes of the office.
When to give it to a notary
Passing the exam and appointment
The goal of years of study: an icon to accompany the whole career.
Opening a notarial office
For the waiting room, the signing room or the private study.
Professional anniversary
Twenty-five or forty years of practice: a gift from the staff.
Retirement
A thank-you from colleagues, staff or lifelong clients.
Other suitable subjects
Besides Saint Mark: Christ Pantocrator with the open Gospel, the Mother of God for a family practice, the notary's name saint. The giver's name, dedication and date are written on the back of the panel or in the booklet, never on the front, which carries only sacred inscriptions. Every icon is commissioned with an offering proportionate to the time and materials of the work, and arrives with a certificate of authenticity on real parchment.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of notaries?
Saint Mark the Evangelist, shown writing the Gospel with the winged lion beside him. His feast is celebrated on 25 April.
What to give a notary for their appointment?
A work that stays in the office for the whole career: an icon of Saint Mark or of the four Evangelists, hand-painted with 23¾ karat gold.