Byzantine Iconography

One of my favorite stops in St Augustine, FL is the St Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine. The artwork is breathtaking. I came across a site today that gave a whole new insight to how the art was done. Most interesting to me was how intensely faith-driven it is. There are even rules and prayers for the iconographers.

Rules and Prayer for Iconographers:

• Before starting work, make the sign of the Cross; pray in silence and pardon your enemies.
• Work with care on every detail of your icon, as if you were working in front of the Lord Himself.
• During work, pray in order to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually; avoid all useless words, and keep silence.
• Pray in particular to the Saint whose face you are painting. Keep your mind from distractions, and the Saint will be close to you.
• When you choose a colour, stretch out your hands interiorly to the Lord and ask His Counsel.
• Do not be jealous of your neighbour’s work; his/her success is your success too.
• When your icon is finished, thank God that His Mercy granted you the grace to paint the Holy Images.
• Have your icon blessed by putting it on the Holy Table of your parish church. Be the first to pray before it, before giving it to others.
• Never forget:

• • the joy of spreading icons throughout the world.
• • the joy of the work of icon writing.
• • the joy of giving the Saint the possibility to shine through his/her icon.
• • the joy of being in union with the Saint whose face you are revealing.

via
A slideshow of incredible Byzantine Iconography.