Iconography
Heaven Is Round. Earth Is Square.
This is post 4 of 4 in the series “Ancient Cosmology Today” Jonathan Pageau uses a phenomenological approach to explain traditional cosmology and its symbolism, explaining in what manner it is crucial to our experience of being in the world. Most of The Time The Earth Is Flat. Where is Heaven? Heaven and Earth in…
Continue reading »ARCHIMANDRITE ZENON (THEODOR): His Life and Work
I am not given to adulation: it places too heavy a burden of expectation on the unfortunate recipient, and often hinders the adorer. But I must confess I border on adulation for the works of the contemporary Russian iconographer and fresco painter, Archimandrite Zenon (Teodor) Every once in a while an iconographer appears who is…
Continue reading »Byzantium – Celebrating The Icon in Ottawa
The first Ottawa International Byzantine Arts Symposium wrapping up at the beginning of this month surrounded the work of master iconographer George Kordis with an exhibition, 2 concerts and an icon painting workshop. I had no idea what to expect going in to this event. I had been contacted by the event organizer, Lesia Maruschak only…
Continue reading »Heaven and Earth in The Icon
This is post 3 of 4 in the series “Ancient Cosmology Today” Jonathan Pageau uses a phenomenological approach to explain traditional cosmology and its symbolism, explaining in what manner it is crucial to our experience of being in the world. Most of The Time The Earth Is Flat. Where is Heaven? Heaven and Earth in…
Continue reading »The Carved Icons of Elena and Sergio Nikolenko
I was recently made aware of two wonderful Russian carvers named Elena and Sergio Nikolenko. Their work is quite impressive, using ornament with spectacular precision. Their stylisation of faces ranges from the more iconic to more realistic features depending on pieces. The couple work on their icons together, with Elena being the designer and the one…
Continue reading »An Inlaid Gospel Cover
The idea for this gospel cover began several years ago. I discussed with Jonathan Pageau the possibility of using his stone carvings as inlaid icons in wooden liturgical pieces. He is able to carve the steatite stone slabs quite thin so that the weight is reasonable even for a book cover. I based the…
Continue reading »Ottawa International Byzantine Arts Symposium
I am quite excited to have been invited to participate in the first Ottawa International Byzantine Arts Symposium. The Symposium is organized around the work of George Kordis and will also feature concerts, an iconography workshops and icons from other artists. This is a great chance to meet master iconographer George Kordis. I know I am…
Continue reading »Third Sermon for the Pilgrim: a Balkan Journey
I have survived three pilgrimages with Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky, leader of Orthodox Tours. Each one has been a sermon. My journey through Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia (May 25 to June 7, 2014) with 27 fellow pilgrims from the Australia, England, Ireland, Russia and the United States, is the latest sermon. First Sermon: Russia 2005, “Beloved,…
Continue reading »Completion of Dome Fresco in Santa Rosa, CA
A masterpiece of iconography has recently been completed at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA (OCA). The dome is the work of Fr. Patrick Doolan, a renowned iconographer trained by Leonid Ouspensky. He and his assistant, Fr. Moses, painted the dome in true fresco over the course of the past year.…
Continue reading »Book Review — Beauty-Spirit-Matter: Icons in the Modern World, by Aidan Hart
For the past 12 years or so, when perusing Aidan Hart’s essays and lectures, I often wondered if they would ever be published in book form. So it was a pleasant surprise to encounter some of them collected in Hart’s most recent book, Beauty-Spirit-Matter: Icons in the Modern World. It’s a long overdue book, bringing…
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