SacredSacred ArtArt“Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly

portrayed among you as crucified.” Galatians 3:1

In Memory of:In Memory of:

Fr. Antonius HeneinFr. Antonius Henein

Website for Ordering IconsWebsite for Ordering Icons

The 2The 2ndnd Commandment Commandment

"You shall not make "You shall not make for yourself a carved for yourself a carved image, or any likeness image, or any likeness of anything that is of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them…” Exodus 20:4 & 5serve them…” Exodus 20:4 & 5

After the Incarnation of Jesus ChristAfter the Incarnation of Jesus Christ

““When you contemplate God When you contemplate God becoming man, then you can becoming man, then you can depict Him clothed in human depict Him clothed in human form. When the invisible One form. When the invisible One becomes visible to flesh, you becomes visible to flesh, you may then draw His likeness.” may then draw His likeness.” St. John of DamascusSt. John of Damascus

An Icon is An Icon is WrittenWritten

A book is an icon written with words. A book is an icon written with words. In the beginning, letter were images In the beginning, letter were images

(e.g. Hieroglyphics)(e.g. Hieroglyphics) An icon tells us a story depicted in An icon tells us a story depicted in

lines and colors.lines and colors. ““A picture is worth a 1000 words.” A picture is worth a 1000 words.”

(Old Chinese adage)(Old Chinese adage) Images are more powerful than Images are more powerful than

wordswords

The Service of Icons:The Service of Icons:

Windows into heavenWindows into heaven Reveal the glory of GodReveal the glory of God Reveal the unseen heavenly Reveal the unseen heavenly

host of Angels, Saints, and host of Angels, Saints, and MartyrsMartyrs

We use icons to illustrate the We use icons to illustrate the Gospel of Christ.Gospel of Christ.

Praying with Icons:Praying with Icons: Icons are specifically written for meditationIcons are specifically written for meditation Written by monks, devoted to meditationsWritten by monks, devoted to meditations Consecrated with Mayroon (holy oil)Consecrated with Mayroon (holy oil) ExamplesExamples

Who can write an icon?Who can write an icon?

Not every person can write an icon. Not every person can write an icon. Qualifications for an iconographer:Qualifications for an iconographer:

1.1. An active member of the ChurchAn active member of the Church

2.2. Living a spiritual lifeLiving a spiritual life

3.3. Possesses Theological knowledgePossesses Theological knowledge

4.4. A skilled artist (secondary importance)A skilled artist (secondary importance)

Monks have traditionally filled the role of Monks have traditionally filled the role of icon-writers.icon-writers.

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Type of wood usedType of wood used Preparing the wooden slabPreparing the wooden slab

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Covered with fine cotton clothCovered with fine cotton cloth Coated with a mixture of animal glue, Coated with a mixture of animal glue,

chalk and titanium white pigmentchalk and titanium white pigment

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Copying or drawing the Copying or drawing the motifmotif Background covered with red brown boleBackground covered with red brown bole Dried, smoothed with sandpaper, and Dried, smoothed with sandpaper, and

polished with steel woolpolished with steel wool

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Gilding with gold leavesGilding with gold leaves Leaves affixed with animal glue & alcoholLeaves affixed with animal glue & alcohol Brushed lightly and burnished with agateBrushed lightly and burnished with agate

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Halo punchedHalo punched Paint emulsion made of egg yolk, water, Paint emulsion made of egg yolk, water,

vinegar & color pigmentsvinegar & color pigments Limited Color spectrum (spiritual inducing)Limited Color spectrum (spiritual inducing)

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Painted systematically – background to foregroundPainted systematically – background to foreground Working from darker to lighter shades Working from darker to lighter shades Here, folds in robes & facial features outlinedHere, folds in robes & facial features outlined

Technique of Making an IconTechnique of Making an Icon

Lastly, inscriptions are writtenLastly, inscriptions are written Varnished to protect & brighten surfaceVarnished to protect & brighten surface

Some rules for writing icons:Some rules for writing icons:1.1. The icon must include the The icon must include the

worshipper in its subject.worshipper in its subject.2.2. There must never be any There must never be any

unnecessary lines or colors to unnecessary lines or colors to distract the worshipper.distract the worshipper.

3.3. The background gilded with goldThe background gilded with gold4.4. Halos radiate from within the face Halos radiate from within the face

of the saint.of the saint.5.5. The holy one is depicted as The holy one is depicted as

victorious and joyful, never as victorious and joyful, never as weak or full of pain.weak or full of pain.

Icon of Jonah the ProphetIcon of Jonah the Prophet

Jonah the ProphetJonah the Prophet

Icon of Jonah the ProphetIcon of Jonah the Prophet

Icon of Jonah the ProphetIcon of Jonah the Prophet

Crucifixion IconCrucifixion Icon

Crucifixion IconCrucifixion Icon

Icon of St. Anthony the GreatIcon of St. Anthony the Great

Warning on Using PicturesWarning on Using Pictures

Watch a video on a convert:Watch a video on a convert:

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