Volodymir Grygorenko

"For almost thirty years, I have served the Church as an iconographer. Orthodox Christians believe the icon is the revelation of the Kingdom of Heaven in our material world. The icon reveals the ultimate truth about God and man. To portray the Truth about a subject is the goal of all real art. There is a connection and difference between painting and iconography. A good painter seeks the truth about the created world; an iconographer shows the truth about the Creator. Iconography is the art of arts, and an icon is more a work of art than of craftsmanship. At the same time, we cannot reduce an icon to the level of artifact only – an icon is much more. Only in prayer can an icon fulfill its purpose. Which is why an iconographer must be personally involved in church life."