Iconography Etiquette

[Ioustinos]

This is a question for our iconographers and seminarians...and well for any one who wants to throw in their 2 cents

I am exploring the idea of having an icon made of Elder Iakavos (Tsalikis) of Evia. He is one of the Elders who is on the short list of those (rumored) to soon be canonized along with the likes of Elder Paisios and a few others.

Although he is not canonized I have seen icons of Elders before just without the title of saint and no halo.

I would like to know if it would be appropriate to have such an icon made? If so, would it be improper to have the iconographer include the skull of St. David in the icon since it was often a source of comfort and miracles in the life of Elder Iakavos?

Thanks!

 

[prodromos]

Below is a painting someone had done of Elder Porphyrios years before his canonisation. They didn't paint a halo, but the trees in the background formed something easily recognisable as such

I don't see a problem with what you are suggesting but I'm not an iconographer.

 

[jckstraw72]

i don't see any problem with it - as you've said it's already a practice to have icons of uncanonized Saints - i don't see icons as a declaration that this person is canonized, but that this person bore the light of Christ

 

[gzt]

Lay veneration, including the painting of icons (without halos) - is part of the evidence used in the case for canonization.

 

[gzt]

Though I would note that you would probably have to find an iconographer that agrees with your sentiment about the guy, since the act of painting an icon is an act of prayer and perhaps of some discernment as well. However, I don't think it's rude to inquire.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I have seen plenty of pre-glorification icons with halos. Fr Seraphim Rose, Elder Joseph the hesychast, Bishop Arseny of Winnepeg, Mat Olga Michael, etc are all those "on the waiting list" of official sainthood, yet I have seen plenty of icons with halos. I think the only thing is that it should be for personal veneration and not in a Church.

 

[Joseph Hazen]

Yeah I'm with Army Matt. My understanding was you can have an icon, even with halo, for any reposed Orthodox Christian you would like, but it is *only* for personal veneration. You cannot have a service for them in the church or anything like that.

I might remember suggestions that they're not put in your 'official' icon corner, but who knows.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Below is a painting someone had done of Elder Porphyrios years before his canonisation. They didn't paint a halo, but the trees in the background formed something easily recognisable as such

I don't see a problem with what you are suggesting but I'm not an iconographer.

My first thought at seeing that painting with your description was amusement. But then I thought about it, and there's something profound there. I don't know Elder Porphyrios' story that well (bought a little booklet about him recently though and am reading it). But certain people it could be even more profound to think of creation showing forth a bit of their light - I hope I'm saying this in the right terms.

For example, St. Seraphim of Sarov would seem to provide a good and well-known example of what I'm talking about, if he wasn't already canonized.

 

[ArmyMatt]

But certain people it could be even more profound to think of creation showing forth a bit of their light - I hope I'm saying this in the right terms.

you are. the truly holy people have a relationship with Creation much more like Adam's before the Fall.

 

[~Anastasia~]

you are. the truly holy people have a relationship with Creation much more like Adam's before the Fall.

Thank you for understanding what I meant, and putting it in those terms.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you for understanding what I meant, and putting it in those terms.

no probs sis!