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CUSTOM ORDER HAND PAINTED ICONS

CUSTOM ORDER HAND PAINTED ICONS

From Mount Athos to your home - Handmade by the athonite fathers

ICONOGRAPHY FROM HOLY MOUNT ATHOS

ICONOGRAPHY FROM HOLY MOUNT ATHOS

Order your icon with the theme you wish

Now you can commission the Hagiography you wish from Mount Athos! Fill in the necessary information in the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Frequent Questions & Answers

  • How are icons created on Mount Athos?

    The icons we offer through our website are created by experienced monk iconographers on Mount Athos, who consistently follow the traditional techniques of Byzantine iconography and established ecclesiastical standards. For the monks, iconography is not merely an artistic activity, it has a deeper meaning and it is considered an act of spiritual discipline accompanied by unceasing prayer. Their primary concern is their spiritual duties and all the duties that form part of everyday life within the monastic state of the Holy Mountain. For this reason, the icons are created by the monks without haste, in their spare time, with patience and inner concentration. The process begins with the careful selection and preparation of the wood. After that the theme of the icon is sketched on the wood’s surface. The monks use materials of excellent quality that are in harmony with the wood and withstand the passage of time. All materials have been tested and used over time under varying conditions of light and temperature, ensuring the durability and long-term preservation of the icon in excellent condition. Finally, the icon is protected with appropriate varnishes, which not only preserve the work but also enhance the brightness of the colors.

  • How can I order a handmade icon with the subject of my choice?

    Through our online shop, anyone interested is given the opportunity to order a handmade icon with a theme of their choice in an two easy ways:

      1. by completing the special form.

      2. by sending an email to the listed email address [email protected].

    You may also send, via email, the icon prototype you wish to be painted, as well as any specific instructions regarding the production process, colors, dimensions, or other details. It is important to emphasize that completing the special form does not constitute the completion of an order; further communication via email follows for confirmation, clarification, and the avoidance of any errors.

  • Are icons made to order, and if so, how?

    Orthodox handmade icons are made to order in two ways:

      1. either by completing the special interest form,

      2. or by sending an email to our official email address [email protected].

    If you visit our online shop, you will see that the process is easy and quick, as there are guiding questions that help you understand the options available for your order. Based on the answers you select, we can make an initial assessment of the icon we will create. Specifically, you first indicate the subject of the icon you have chosen. Next, you decide on the type of icon you want, for example, whether you want a full-length figure, a bust, or a composition. Then, some suggested dimensions for the icon are provided, although you can also choose your own preferred dimensions. You also have the option to select the type of wood and the background colors of the icon. Of course, after this stage, we communicate via email for further details, in order to confirm the order and begin the creation of your icon.

  • Can I order an icon with a specific scene?

    Yes, you have the option to either send us your chosen theme via email or select one of the already available icons with compositions on our website.

  • What subjects can be depicted in a hand painted icon?

    In custom handpainted icons, mainly sacred figures and events from the Christian faith are depicted. The most common subjects include Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary in various representations, the archangels and saints. In addition, scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as important events from the Holy Scriptures, are represented. Each icon is created following the traditional Byzantine iconography, thus ensuring theological accuracy and conveying its spiritual message. In this way, an icon is not only a work of art but also a means of prayer.

  • Can I send you the template I want and have you create the corresponding iconography?

    Yes, you may send us via email the iconography theme you wish to be painted, so that we may proceed with its implementation. Afterwards, more detailed communication will follow regarding any clarifications and details related to the iconography, in order to avoid any possible errors and ensure the proper completion of your order.

  • Can I choose the colors of the iconography?

    Thanks to the option of creating your iconography from scratch, you are able to choose the colors that will be used, the background, the details, as well as any other element you wish. You may share all your preferences and details with us via email, so that we can proceed with the realization of your order. Our goal is to create an iconography fully aligned with your personal choices and always in accordance with the rules and standards of Byzantine iconography, ensuring that the final result perfectly matches what you have envisioned.

  • Is it possible to add an inscription to the icon?

    Yes, if it is a personalized order for a handmade icon, you can send us via email the inscription you wish to appear on the back of the icon. This ensures that the icon will be created exactly according to your preferences.

  • What dimensions can I order for a handmade icon from Mount Athos?

    On our online shop, through the interest form, you can submit your request for the creation of a handmade iconography. The form includes specific suggested sizes to choose from, such as 20×25, 20×30, 25×35, and 30×40. However, you also have the option to indicate the dimensions you prefer. After submitting the form, communication will follow via email so that we can review the feasibility of the selected dimensions, always in relation to the subject of the icon. Our aim is to offer a fully personalized creation, tailored to your preferences, while ensuring the best possible aesthetic result.

  • I have completed the interest form. Does this mean that I have already placed the order?

    After completing the interest form, the process does not end there. To determine the customer’s exact preferences and confirm the order at the final stage, further communication is carried out via email to clarify all the details and proceed to the payment of the order.

  • How can I pay for the handmade icon I ordered from Mount Athos?

    You can easily pay for your order with a simple bank transfer or through paypal payment, ensuring both security and speed in the process.

  • How long will it take for the handmade icon I ordered from Mount Athos to be ready?

    The completion time for a handpainted icon is not fixed, as it depends on the work required for each piece, its complexity, the level of detail, and the composition to be depicted. Typically, creating an icon takes approximately 8 weeks. The monks’ primary concern is their spiritual duties. For this reason, icons are created without haste, in the spare time of the monks, with patience and dedication, so that each work reflects both their technical skill and their spiritual devotion.

CUSTOM ORDER HAND PAINTED ICONS

On Mount Athos, the art of hagiography is depicted with elegance inside the Temples, on the portable religious icons but also on the illustrated manuscripts. The unique art works are characterized by the uninterrupted physical presence of the hagiographers, monks and laity, in the Garden of Virgin Mary.

This very timelessness allows hagiographers to safely render what we today call tradition in Orthodox Christian art.