MIRACLE St. John of Damascus (676 approximately - 749 or so); the Arab family of Christian faith; advisor to the Caliph and then he appointed chief administrative officer of the city of Damascus; after falling out of favor with his patron was tried for treason and was amputated his left hand. This episode has led to a widespread legend devotional John would offer his hand cut to an image of the Virgin Mary; without asking anything. Would output a hand icon of the Virgin; which would hang up the limb. Then John had a hand icon apply votive silver. Venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church; devotional image of the nineteenth century