The Shepherd, April 2005

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THE FELLOWSHIP of Saint Luke was set up just short of a year ago by a small group of Orthodox enthusiasts wishing to learn the skills of painting icons in a traditional Orthodox manner and also be sensitive to their spiritual significance and theological purpose. To this end weekly workshops are held locally within West Surrey to practise the traditional tempera skills; and twice yearly, at present, Russian masters are invited here to the UK for a week-long intensive course.

Though nowadays icons are often prized as fine art, a spiritual integrity is of more consequence in their creation than any artistic ability; thus opening the painting of icons to all those of good heart. Icons are manifest prayers not works of art to be bartered; nor are they purely decoration for a church or a house. As was written by St. Dionysius “Those who are stone deaf to what the sacred sacraments teach also have no eye for the imagery.” In this respect it is an encouragement to us all: to be respectful of the true purpose of an icon. That it is an affirmation of the incarnation of God and a signifier of the mystical union we celebrate within the Divine Liturgy.

This year the Fellowship is running two courses in the UK and is helping organise one in Greece. The Russian master, Sergei Taracyan, and his wife Natalia (who have already taught us thrice before) will be teaching us again this 30th May to 4th June at Pyrford, Surrey, and similarly sometime this coming autumn. They will be in Lesbos, Greece from 10th June to 19th June. Details are available from Annie Shaw on 01932 788346 or annie@shawemail21.fsnet.co.uk, or for the Greek workshop from Ann Welch on 01795 531684 or ann@welch-wengraf.fsnet.co.uk.

The Fellowship plans to continue running courses and workshops and hopes to develop a number of further activities, i.e. technical and theological worksheets and notes, lectures and the publishing of papers, private visits to museums and galleries (many important icons are archived), pilgrimages to Churches and Shrines, a twice yearly newsletter, a web-site (already in progress), and possibly an exhibition of work.

Should you wish to know more or wish to join us in these early days and help make the Fellowship grow please contact:

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