Dear Fellow Iconographers
Have you ever wondered about the stories associated with Saints and Icons- how they have been carried down through the ages? Joseph Campbell spoke in “The Power of the Myth” about how human beings have a thirst and hunger for stories that can help them understand and give significance and meaning to their experiences in present time.
The stories of St. Nicholas helping the poor, or St. Francis preaching to the birds, or the modern day story of the marine being saved by Saint Michael in the trenches in Korea in 1950, and so many more, are thoughts that keep us going when things are difficult.
Stories about Mary, her graceful obedience to God’s plan for her life and the many blessings that followed, and Kateri Tekakwitha’s life of prayer and faith inspire us to stand for God’s plans for our lives. In Icon class we read recently about “obedience” and how that played out in the lives of some of the prophets.
These Icons, saints and stories add richness to the fabric of our lives. They lend strength and hope to our everyday lives. If you know of any good books or reading materials that focus on miracles and stories of saints, please share those in the comments section of this blog. Winter is coming and a good reading list will be a help to us all!
Here is a link to the “Icons and Their Interpretation” blog that tells the lovely story of Saint Irene and Her apples. I think you’ll enjoy it!
Another interesting link I’d like to share is about a contemporary Byzantine graffiti artist Fikos in Athens, from an interview in “The Orthodox Arts Journal.
Here’s a link to a description of a new Icon class I will be teaching in Philmont, NY this fall on Thursday evenings beginning Sept 15, 6-9PM
Upcoming Classes and RETREATS:
Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, NY:
June 16-18, 2017 Introduction to Icon Writing Class
March 21 – Friday, March 24 Advanced Master Class in Icon Writing
St. James Episcopal Church, Madison Ave. NYC
June 9-11, 2017 Introduction to Icon Writing
ADVANCED ICON WRITING CLASS IN ALBANY Westminster Presbyterian Church
Monday evenings 6-9PM New students beginning Sept. 19.
Be blessed, my friends, and keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours.
Christine Hales Icon Website Contemporary Paintings Website
American Association of Iconographers 
Thank you for this article Christine!
I was just reading the Orthodox Journal article too! 😀
When I was working on my saint John the short graphic novel last year, I came across a few stories that were not only unbelievable, but also seemed superflous or had no spiritual value. I asked the coptic manuscript’s translator, Tim Vivian, what he thought of them and he shared this old proverb – it stuck with me: “What I am about to tell you may or may not have happened, but it is the truth”
He said that these stories maybe exaggerated, may have happened or maybe completely made up – but they survived the test of time for a reason, and they were told and retold for a reason.
Your write up reminded me of that interaction! 😀
Michael
Thanks Michael!