Hello from the frozen North!
Sitting out another snowstorm, I’m reading the life of Francis of Assisi. One of the nicest things about writing Icons is studying the Saints and their lives
, trying to understand the qualities they had that caused them to shine God’s light to those around them.
One of the most lovable traits Francis had was his love for all creation, because all creatures are a gift from God. He preached to the birds, he loved animals, but he did not like ants! He felt they worked too hard and their endless activity was a sign of greed. Hmmmmm. 🙂
We’ve been praying the St. Francis prayer in my Icon classes and workshops, increasing our prayers for world peace. Another nice thing about writing Icons in small groups is praying together and growing closer to each other as a result.
My intention for this Art/Icon blog is to share the work I’m doing, and the work of my students and other Iconographers as well as serving as a resource of useful and interesting art/Icon links. I do want to say that the Icon Writing Retreat at Saint James’ Church in NYC was so beautiful. What a beautiful church and such great people – I miss them already!
So, here are some good links to view:
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Winchester Bible- beautiful medieval Bible only on view until March 8.
Modern Orthodox Icon Painting-a website from Russia with lots of good info.
Aidan Hart Newsletter: Great Britain Iconographer
Natural Pigments: An excellent source of Iconography supplies
Art/21 newsletter: Interesting contemporary art news.
Museum of Contemporary Religious Art -where we need to have an Icon exhibit!
Iconographer Veronica Royal is offering an Icon Writing Workshop in the VA area June 22-27. Contact her for more details: veronicaroyal@cox.net
Some my Icons are currently on display at Saint Vincent’s Church in Albany, Saint Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock, and Elijah Slocum in Hudson New York. I will have a painting in an exhibition in Hudson at the CCCA gallery and several more at the Red Raven Gallery in Lancaster, PA, and Beauregard Fine Art in Rumson NJ.
Who was Saint Patrick? What was the compelling spiritual essence of his story in ancient Ireland? How does he matter to you in your spiritual life? The winning comment will receive one of my new Icon pendants that sell for $20.00, as a reward! Email me by March 15 with your answers!
Have a blessed month and I’ll write again when there’s more news!
Blessings and love,
Christine
American Association of Iconographers 
Here is a lorica (prayer of protection) called St. Patrick’s Breastplate. We know it wasn’t written by him but it conveys his Spirit and the Spirit of the Celts. It is also called, The Deer’s Cry, a title that reflects an old tale about Patrick and his followers escaping some nefarious fellows by changing into deer. With deep peace, Starr
I arise today Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise to-day
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s eyes to look before me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
From all who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in a multitude.
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ to shield me,
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me.
I arise to-day
Thank you, Starr! I love this prayer and we are using it inout Icon writing class in honor of Saint Patrick this month!
Hi Christine: I experienced ‘the compelling spiritual essence’ of Saint Patrick
first hand. It is Penance. My husband Nick and I while touring Ireland in 1996
read about a 2,507 ft. ancient Irish mountain of pilgrimage named Croagh Patrick. Located near the town
of Westport in County Mayo where we were staying. Interested… we set out early on a beautiful summer morning
to take a look at the Holy Mountain where Saint Patrick had spent 40 days
fasting and praying on the summit in the 5th century AD.
We had no intention of climbing a mountain or making a pilgrimage that day.
Yet we were drawn and could both feel it was something we were supposed to experience together. There must be a profound reason.
So we did.
Luckily we had our jogging shoes with us. I found a stick. It took us 5 hours to complete.
Because we had not made any plans to mountain climb that day we had no provisions. Yet we were never tired or thirsty.
Until we finished.
I keep my Saint Patrick Climbing Stick in a place of honor in our home. A reminder of the joys and struggles during
our magical climb and descent of glorious Croagh Patrick Mountain Ireland.
The Breastplate of Saint Patrick
I armor myself this today with the power of the Most Holy Trinity, in the oneness of God, Creator of the universe.
I armor myself today with the baptism of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection, his ascension and glorious
second coming.
I armor myself today with God’s guidance to direct me, God’s might to sustain me, God’s wisdom to instruct me; God’s word to give me
speech, God’s shield to protect me, God’s army to defend me, against the snares of the demons, against the lure of vices, against
all who plot me harm.
I invoke all these virtues today against every hostile and merciless power that may assail me, against the incantations of false
prophets, against the black laws of heathenism, against the false laws of heresy, against the deceits of idolatry, against every art
and spell that binds the soul to evil.
Christ guard me today against every poison, burning, drowning and fatal wounding. christ be with me, Christ be behind me, Christ be
within me, Christ be beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ to be where danger threatens, Christ be in
the hearts of those around me, forevermore.
Blessings and love,
Paula