Rules for the Icon Writer

 

  1. Before starting work, make the sign of the cross, pray in silence and pardon your enemies and say the prayer to St Epherim the saint for iconographers.
  2. Work with care on every detail of your Icon as if it were working in front of the Lord himself.
  3. During work, pray in order to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually; avoid all useless words and keep silence.
  4. Pray in particular to the saint, whose face you are painting, keep your mind from distractions and the saint will be close to you.
  5. When you have to choose a colour, stretch out your hands interiorly to the Lord and ask His council.
  6. Do not be jealous of your neighbour’s work; his success is you success too.
  7. When your icon is finished, thank God that His mercy granted you the grace to paint the holy image.
  8. Have your icon blessed by putting it on the altar.
  9. Be the first person to pray with it, before giving it to others.
  10. Never forget the joy of:
  • Spreading icons in the world
  • The work of icon painting
  • Giving the Saint the possibility to shine through his work
  • Being in union with the Saint whose face you are painting