Art of Bysantine icons is very old. Nobody knows well the exact period when they appeared in ortodox monasteries and it is possible that first iconographers were nuns. While praying and singing sacred songs as deep prayers they got inspired to paint. Most of the great valuable icons are just in monasteries. Icons were made to show life from the Bible, stories of Jesus, at that time only few people were able to read and write, great masses where widely illiterate. Some of the most beautiful icons are made in Russia and Middle East like Jesus Sina that is a pride of monastery on Sinai. Icons are very popular in our days too. Many new and gifted iconographers work in Greece, Serbia and all around Ortodox church domain. Icon brings joy and happiness in your home and family, people pray in front of icon, there are small icons you can bring with you wherever you go. They are of great inspitation for a short prayer and a deep meditation.
Today handmade icons are painted on wood, best quality wood with egg tempera and on 24 karat gold leaves. There are many techiques and styles but each of them talks a word of God and give us opportunity to get a great inspiration. Icons are not heritage only of Ortodox chursh, all Crisianity like them and use them in many important occasions.
I will return back to icons and introduce you to an extraordinary artist, my friend and great person who dedicate her life to iconography.
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