Anglicans and icons

By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer

Icons are more than art to Diane Duncan Bieber.

They are sacred instruments that draw believers more deeply into the love of God.

''They are part of our Christian heritage. They speak to our hearts and inspire us,'' said Bieber of Twinsburg. ''When standing before a sacred icon, we can sense the spiritual presence of the Lord. Icons help raise our awareness of our place in the Kingdom of God.''

Icons have been faith-building tools for Bieber since 1994, when she began studying Antiochian Orthodox iconography. From there she began her training as an iconographer at St. John Damascus Icon Studio, near Ligonier, Pa. She furthered her studies in Russian Orthodox iconography at Prosopon School of Iconography in New York.

Today, icons are the accomplished artist's main work. Some of the images she has created, along with her free expression and woodcut pieces, are on display and can be purchased through June 16 at Logos Bookstore of Kent Inc., located at 976 W. Main St. in Kent.

''Her work is a natural fit for us. It gives our customers exposure to a different faith tradition and helps build understanding,'' said Ann Kardos, co-owner of the full-service Christian bookstore. ''I believe that if we, as people of faith, can understand each other better, we can come together more.''

A little history

Icons are vital to the spiritual design of Orthodox Christian churches. The images of sacred people or events are considered ''written'' rather than painted (even though paint is the medium used). The word icon comes from the Greek word meaning ''image.''

Tradition says that St. Luke the Evangelist was the first icon painter, and the tradition of sacred art in the Western Church can be traced to its earliest paintings, mosaics and frescoes of Rome, France and Spain. Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism were both part of an undivided Christendom until a millennium ago, when they split largely over the authority of the pope.

The two religious traditions still have a lot in common, including the use of images in worship. The veneration of icons, however, is more prominent in Orthodoxy.

Veneration, which includes bowing before or kissing the icon, is not worship. It is a way to honor or give respect to Jesus, Mary or a saint who is portrayed in the icon. Kissing an icon is an act of love and affection. Venerating an icon is a way to tap into spiritual power.

''Meditating on their lives of holiness inspires us. Icons are not worshipped because worship is for God alone. The Holy Spirit uses icons as instruments of grace as he sanctifies and transforms our lives,'' said Bieber, who worships in the Anglican tradition. Her husband, the Rev. Kenneth R. Bieber, is a priest who leads Emmanuel Anglican Fellowship.

The fellowship is affiliated with the Anglican Mission in the Americas. Its worship services are at 10 a.m. Sundays at the Pines Retreat Chapel, 2365 Old Mill Road in Twinsburg.

Although iconography dates to the earliest days of Christianity, evangelical Anglicans (like some other Protestants, Jews and Muslims) have traditionally been wary of icons, many (including Bieber) now appreciate them for prayer. Occasionally, he includes icons created by his wife at Emmanuel's worship site.

Telling a story

''More people are becoming familiar with icons and a number of Christians, including Anglicans, incorporate them into their private prayers,'' the Rev. Bieber said. ''When you understand them, then you can appreciate them. They are analogous to stained-glass windows. They tell a story. They are the Gospel written in color.''

Icon painting shows subjects in a stylized way. Each figure must be painted the same way they have been painted throughout the centuries — the same colors, positions, clothing, backgrounds, etc.

Bieber paints the holy images by commission. She works on 3/4-inch thick gessoed board that has been prepared in a time-honored method, and applies 23-karat gold leaf background to give a transcendent aura. Pricing begins at $200 and increases with size and complexity. They are available with or without framing.

Her original work includes traditional designs of the Lord Jesus Christ; his holy mother (the Theotokos); the angels and archangels and the saints. She also creates festal icons that depict biblical events and scenes from church history. Festal icons are used in worship and celebration to express theological truth. The traditional designs are typically used in public worship and private devotions.

In addition to her training in iconography, Bieber earned an undergraduate degree in fine arts at Michigan State University and a graduate degree in religious education at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich. More information about her sacred art can be found at http://www.iconsbyddbieber.sitesofourown.com. More information about Logos Bookstore is at http://www.kentlogos.com.

''I believe that all artistic abilities were created to give glory to God. I write icons because God called me to write icons,'' Bieber said. ''One of the greatest benefits of icons is that they can be used by the Holy Spirit to enrich our lives and our faith and I am humbled to be a part of that process.''

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