Father Abbott Damien Higgins, Abbott of Holy Transfiguration Monastery (“Monks of Mount Tabor”) in Redwood, CA, served as the guest master iconographer for two icon writing workshops sponsored by the Basilian Spirituality Center , Fox Chase Manor, PA, May 19 – 24 and May 26 – 31, 2015.

Sister Bohdanna Hutnyk, OSBM

Icon workshop I participants:

Sitting - Sister Romana Hutnyk, OSBM, Sister Mary A. Kerner, SHCJ, Larysa Salamacha

Standing - Sister Charlene M. Diorka, SSJ, Basilian Spirituality Center Director, Pamela Hastings, Jurij Horajeckyj, Maria Zmurkewycz, Father Abbot Damien Higgins Not pictured - Rev. D. George Worschak, Virginia M. Licata

During the introductory session, participants were told that an icon writer prepares for the task by prayer and by the way one’s life is lived. As Father Basil Pennington, the renowned Catholic theologian, once said, “One cannot paint an icon by technique alone.” There is a spiritual side to the preparation.

In the sessions that followed, the attendants quietly followed the steps—tracing, etching, gold-leafing, mixing and applying pigments-- in producing an egg tempera icon portraying the sacred subject of their choice. Several of the students were participating for the first time, while others were repeat attendants. “Icon writing is spiritually and artistically enlightening for me,” said Mary Quinn. “This is my tenth workshop with Father Damien and I use the icon and what I’ve learned here, in my role as instructor of those preparing to accept the Faith.”

Sitting - Sister Romana Hutnyk, OSBM, Sister Mary A. Kerner, SHCJ, Larysa Salamacha

Standing - Victoria M. Licata, Pamela Hastings, Jurij Horajeckyj, Maria Zmurkewycz, Father Abbot Damien Higgins

Not pictured - Rev. D. George Worschak

Sister Bernarda Arkatin, OSBM, Father Abbot DamienHiggins, Lola Dubenko, Brother Maximus

Lorraine Martin, also a tenth year participant, finds that as a member of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, she “experiences a new maturity and appreciation of my Faith through icon painting. Although I don’t fully understand the mystery of the icon, faith will lead me to the knowledge of what I am prayerfully reflecting upon when I am in the process of icon writing.” First-timer Lola Dubenko had long desired to participate in an icon workshop and finally, after study and exploration of the subject, signed on to write an inspiring icon of her own.

Future workshops, including the painting of acrylic icons, are to be scheduled. For these and other events please check:

basilcenter@stbasils.com

215-780-1227

The Basilian Spirituality Center is administered by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great and is directed by Sister Charlene M. Diorka, SSJ, assisted by Sister Johanna Gedaka, SSJ, Ph.D.

Icon workshop II participants:

L-R - Brother Maximus, Sister Johanna Gedaka, SSJ, Lorraine Martin, Jurij Horajeckyj, Lola Dubenko, Father Abbot Damien Higgins

Not pictured - Pamela Hastings, Dolores Kent, Mary A. Quinn, Lorraine Williams

Maria Zmurkewycz

Mary A. Quinn

Pamela Hastings, Father D. George Worschak, Father Abbott Damien Higgins

Sister Johanna Gadeka, SSJ