First Annual Summer Intensive Iconography Workshop
Students Instructed in Iconology and Each Complete an Icon During Five Day Session at the Seminary
Participants from across the United States took part in the first annual Summer Intensive Iconography Workshop hosted by Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary from July 1 to July 5, 2024. The Workshop was led by Schemanun Mother Justina Hagielisavetissa, an Instructor at the Seminary and the Director of the Iconography Certificate Program, and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Patrick Hagiosinaïtēs, Abbot of the Saint Gregory of Sinai Monastery and an Instructor at the Seminary. The Reverend Hieromonk Father Moses Hagiosinaïtēs, also from the Saint Gregory of Sinai Monastery and an iconographer, participated in the Workshop as well.
The goal of the Workshop was for participants to acquire enough understanding and to develop enough skill to complete a small Icon over the course of five days. The daily one-hour instruction period covered the theological significance, theory, and history of traditional Iconography. The remainder of the Workshop focused on technique development, studio instruction, and execution.
Participants were given the option to paint an Icon of one of five different subjects: Christ, the Theotokos, the Angel at the Tomb, Saint George the Martyr, or Saint Theodosia of Constantinople. The Icon of the Angel at the Tomb was the most popular choice.
Some of the attendees already had experience in Iconography, but for others, this was their first attempt. Father Patrick and Mother Justina gave a series of lectures throughout the week and guided the participants as they spent time in the Icon Studio painting and refining their Icons.
On the last day of the Workshop, a farewell dinner was served by the nuns from the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia. The Rector of the Seminary, the Most Reverend Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland, spoke at the dinner and thanked everyone for their contributions. The Workshop was well received by the participants, who expressed their gratitude for being given the opportunity to take part in the ancient tradition of Iconography.
We are grateful to all the supporters and all those who participated in the Seminary’s first Iconography Workshop. Without support from our donors, workshops like this would not be possible.