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Rules for the Icon Painter |
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1 |
As you approach the work, make the sign
of the cross, and pray silently to
forgive all who have offended you. |
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2 |
Work deliberately, taking care with
every detail of the image, as if the
Lord himself stood with you, for he does
in fact stand with you. |
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3 |
Keep praying, to strengthen yourself
physically and spiritually, avoiding
useless words, honoring silence, into
which you must enter. |
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4 |
Pray especially to the saint whose image
you are writing. If you keep your mind
from distractions, the saint will assist
you toward a true likeness. |
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5 |
When choosing a color, stretch your
hands within, seeking to touch
the Christ who lives in your heart, and
ask for his leading. |
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6 |
Do not covet your neighbor’s work, but
rejoice in it: his success is your
success, too, and the Lord’s as well. |
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7 |
When your icon is done, offer sincere
thanksgiving to God for his mercy in
granting you the grace to write the holy
images. |
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8 |
Bring your icon to be blessed, putting
it on the altar, as the first to pray
before it before passing it to others. |
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9 |
Never forget the joy of spreading holy
images in the world, the joy of laboring
in icon-writing, the joy of using your
accomplishments to offer each saint the
ability to shine through his icon, nor
the joy of being in union and communion
with the saint whose face you are
writing. |
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This
text is of unknown origin. It was found in a
magazine article,
“On Making the Martyrdom of
Saint Polycarp,” by Scott Cairns,
Image,
Winter 2004-5, Number 44, page 74. |
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Click here
for a printable PDF format |
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