Thus, the fear of death, imprisonment or exile prevented many artists from making any painting or sculpture of Jesus Christ or the Saints. The Emperors, not satisfied with breaking the statues and persecuting their defenders, also intimidated the secular painters with rigorous edicts. Let Thy grace sanctify and dwell within this icon, that it may edify and inspire those who gaze upon it and venerate it that in glorifying the one depicted, they may be repentant of their sins and strengthened against every attack of the adversary.Now then, at his time the war against sacred paintings and statues had been declared by the iconoclasts. Fill my soul with joy and gladness, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind. Thou, Thyself, O LORD, art the fulfillment and completion of all good things. This I ask through the intercession of Thy most Holy Mother, the Apostle Luke, and all the Saints. Protect them from all evil and instruct them with good counsel.
Guide the hands of Thine unworthy servant so that I may worthily and perfectly portray Thine Icon, that of Thy Mother, and all the Saints, for the glory, joy and adornment of Thy Holy Church.įorgive my sins and the sins of those who will venerate these icons and who, kneeling devoutly before them, give homage to those they represent. O DIVINE LORD of all that exists, Thou hast illumined the Apostle and Evangelist Luke with Thy Holy Spirit, thereby enabling him to represent Thy most Holy Mother, the One who held Thee in her arms and said: The Grace of Him Who has been born of me is spread through the world!Įnlighten and direct my soul, my heart and my spirit. Spare him from temptations and diabolical imaginations in the name of Thy Mother, St. Thou Who hast so admirably imprinted Thy features on the cloth sent to King Abgar of Edessa, and hast so wonderfully inspired Luke Thy Evangelist: Enlighten my soul and that of Thy servant Guide his hand that he may reproduce Thy features, those of the Holy Virgin and of all Thy saints, for the glory and peace of Thy Holy Church. The joy of being in union with the Saint whose face you are revealing.Ī Prayer from Mt. The joy of giving the Saint the possibility to shine through his/her icon. Joy of spreading icons throughout the world. Be the first to pray before it, before giving it to others. Have your icon blessed by putting it on the Holy Table of your parish church. When your icon is finished, thank God that His Mercy granted you the grace to paint the Holy Images. When you choose a colour, stretch out your hands interiorly to the Lord and ask His Counsel.ĭo not be jealous of your neighbour’s work his/her success is your success too. Keep your mind from distractions, and the Saint will be close to you. Pray in particular to the Saint whose face you are painting. Work with care on every detail of your icon, as if you were working in front of the Lord Himself.ĭuring work, pray in order to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually avoid all useless words, and keep silence. Before starting work, make the sign of the Cross pray in silence and pardon your enemies.
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