The theme of the icon writing workshop was to present the image of Jesus as the Ruler and judge of the Universe in iconography, known as the Pantocrator. During the creation of the icon, the participants prayed for peace and freedom for Ukraine.
The technical workshop of writing icons is inextricably linked with the spiritual sphere. The common intention of the 19 participants who came from all over Poland was to pray for peace and freedom for Ukraine. - We start the icon writing workshop with the prayer of the icon, we ask that the Most High should lead the soul, hand, and eye, so that we can perfectly reproduce the image of Christ for the glory and decoration of the Holy Church - said Adam Zapora, iconographer, custodian of the Museum of the Kujawska and Dobrzyń Land in Włocławek, who runs the Lichen workshops. The icon pictures were accompanied by Fr. Zbigniew Grygorcewicz, MIC, who delivered two conferences. The workshop participants learned in the word preached during the Eucharist how to read an icon, what is the impact of trying to write an icon for the spirituality of the person who undertakes it. - Everyone is so focused and aware of what writing an icon is, i.e. a record of inner prayer, that phenomenal works are created - adds Adam Zapora.
The level of the workshop is basic, but also adapted to individual needs, so that people who have not dealt with writing icons before can learn the technique and write an icon on their own.
Last year, during the Lichen workshop, participants started to write icons in the Coptic tradition and this year they also continue this trend. They used the traditional technique of egg tempera, which is lean. They worked on natural pigments, the link of which is egg yolk, mixed with vinegar and water, and boards painted with levkas. Then the drawing is transferred to the board by the method of stabbing and the colors are applied from the darkest to the light ones. The sequence symbolizes the state of sin which is illuminated by God's light until perfection. In this approach, the icon is a symbol of a window for eternity.
Mrs. Sławomira came to Licheń for the workshop for the second time. She took her friends with her. - I came to the workshop to organize my interior. I wanted not only to learn the technique, but also to pray. Writing and contemplating icons helped me get through a difficult time, incl. her husband's death - says Sławomira from Bydgoszcz. - In this I found the meaning of life and a way to protect myself from loneliness. She admits that as a child she did not understand icons at all - she had to mature for them. Later, she was delighted with the Coptic icon. During the first workshop, she wrote Mother of God enthroned. She always wanted to paint in retirement - she decided that an icon was much closer to her than ordinary painting. He is acquiring the finishing touches to undertake writing icons at home on his own.
- Today people are looking for peace and security, and here we are under the protection of the Holy Spirit and Christ, whose image we write - says Adam Zapora. The interest in icon writing workshops is high. Willing people have already signed up for the next editions in May, August and November.
The full offer of retreats organized at the Licheń Shrine in 2022 can be seen in the retreat calendar for 2022.
We invite you!
