Becoming an iconographer6/4/2023 When we say an iconographer must have membership in the Orthodox Church we refer not only to the prerequisite of holy baptism, but also the willing assent to all Christian doctrines and dogmas central to the Orthodox faith.Īn icon is only a true icon when it conveys the content of faith and life in the Church correctly. he must restore old and damaged icons.Ĭhapter Two: An Iconographer must be an Orthodox ChristianĪs we explain in our paper, the sacredness of holy iconography does not permit non-Orthodox to be her painters for it is an art form that expresses the centrality of the Orthodox faith, the doctrines set down by the Holy Fathers in the Ecumenical Councils. he must accept and diligently teach students (both with regards to artistic talent and the moral life befitting an iconographer) and C. the iconographer ought to possess a gift for painting B. The three minor presuppositions are as follows: A. For this reason we address the major presuppositions at length while we merely state the minor presuppositions in brief. Whereas, the major presuppositions, if not observed, have drastic implications for the content of holy icons. Although the Stoglav council itself did not place the categories of “major” and “minor” on the presuppositions of the iconographer we do so for the following reasons: Although, the minor presuppositions are important, failing to observe them will not necessarily damage or distort the content of holy icons. There are three minor (though still essential) presuppositions and five primary presuppositions. Thus we establish the theological foundation for the claim that iconographers are theologians of colour. For this reason we take the canons laid out by the Stoglav council and, adding a theological exposition, present them as the objective standard for any iconographer of any generation in the Orthodox Church in all local churches. Cyril and Methodius church, ThessalonikiĪlthough the Stoglav council reflects and confirms an Orthodox artistic and religious point of view, it also makes blanket statements. For this reason a systematic study of the necessary presuppositions of the iconographer is indispensable to the Orthodox Church at large.Ĭhapter One: The secondary presuppositions of the iconographer The importance of clarity on issues of icons and iconographers pertain to the whole of Orthodoxy because the whole Church witnesses to the faith and life in Christ through this sacred art form. This paper demonstrates, through adequate citations of learned scholars, that the theological presuppositions of the iconographer have their basis not merely in a local council of the Russian Church, but in the Tradition and consciousness of the universal Orthodox Church. The Stoglav council plays a large role in our systematic approach to this topic, particularly since the council made reference to how an iconographer ought to live piously and paint icons properly. The word Stoglav means one-hundred, “named after the Church’s adoption of one hundred articles”. The presuppositions of the iconographer outlined in this work will be applicable for as long as someone wishes to paint theology, the faith of our Church, which has and will remain unchanged. With the help of my advisor, and with a basis in the local Russian council the Stoglav Sobor (Moscow, 1551), I have compiled a basic manual for contemporary iconographers, though by no means limited to our times only. Thus, I was inspired to work on a theme that has particular significance for the new generation of North American iconographers in the Church today. When compared to the “old countries” the art of iconography is still relatively new in North America. Thankfully he was willing to take me on as yet one more Master’s student. Learning of professor Demetrios Tselingidis doctoral work on the theology of icons, Εικονολογικές Μελέτες ( Studies in Iconology) Ι was eager to study with him. Anastasia Monasteryįor years I have been interested in the theology of icons, and in particular the role the iconographer has in conveying the Orthodox faith and life in Christ through holy icons.
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