Comments on: Unusual Icons of Saints That Few Know About

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:10:48 +0000

In reply to Nikolay Grigoryev. Thank you for your kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the article. For more information about saints and their icons, the website you found (azbyka.ru) is actually one of the best and most comprehensive online resources available. While the site is primarily in Russian, you can use your browser's built-in translation feature (like Google Translate in Chrome) to translate the pages into English. The direct link to their section on saints is a great place to start: https://azbyka.ru/days/ You can browse saints by name or by their feast day on the calendar.

By: Nikolay Grigoryev

Nikolay Grigoryev — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 03:29:40 +0000

This was a wonderful article. I enjoyed it very much
Where can I access more concerning the saints and their icons

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:43:37 +0000

In reply to Martha.

Dear Martha,
Thank you for your kind words about our icons and for such a thoughtful question.
You’re right that many people say icons are “written.” That phrasing entered English from Russian and Greek: in Russian, for example, the same verb used for “writing” (pisat’) is also the everyday verb for painting a portrait or an icon. When that was translated literally, “write an icon” appeared in English. In English usage, however—especially in art history and museum catalogues—icons are simply said to be painted.
This is also consistent with traditional Greek terminology: the historic word for an icon-maker is zográphos, which means “painter.” Major museums and Orthodox reference sites use the plain English of painting and painted icons.
So our house style (“painted icons” / “icon painting”) aims to be clear English, faithful to the tradition, and aligned with standard scholarly usage. At the same time, we understand why many like “written”: it poetically highlights that an icon teaches the Faith in colour and line. Both phrasings are heard among Orthodox Christians today; we’ve chosen “painted” for clarity and accuracy in English.
Thank you again for the generous spirit of your note—and for supporting the prayerful craft of iconography.

By: Martha

Martha — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:33:15 +0000

Hello Ms Chechko
I just finished reading your article on Unusual Icons of Saints not well known. You answered several questions I have had about how a new icon of a saint is created. And I have also wondered how an icon is created when there are no existing images.
The icons produced through St Elizabeth’s are very beautiful.
I have taken some classes on creating copies of icons and I enjoyed it although I’m not very good. One question I have is this. We were taught in the class is that icons are ‘written’ not painted because icons are intended to educate and inform the viewer who were often illiterate, about a particular Saint. Likewise people who make icons are called icon ‘writers’ not painters.
This is a small point I know. Is what I was taught correct? Are Icons ‘written’? Maybe this is a regional difference or maybe either reference is correct.
Regardless the icons are truly comforting and beautiful.
Thank you, Martha T

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 06:20:42 +0000

In reply to Joshua Herman.

Dear Joshua, we paint icons with inscriptions in any language, including German. You can contact us at st.elisabeth.shop@gmail.com and our sisters will provide you with all the necessary information.

By: Joshua Herman

Joshua Herman — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 16:43:33 +0000

If I may ask, does the St. Elisabeth Convent studio paint icons in languages not typical in Orthodoxy, such as German? I have been looking for iconographers who write in German but have not yet found any. Please let me know either way. Thank you.