In early times there was a belief which suggested that smoke from the candles would rise and reach the heavens above and God will answer secret prayers said over flames of the candle.
May this candle spread light, cheer and warmth in your homes and families!
I wish you much, much happiness, joy and blessings and a Happy New Year!
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
--Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." ~Augusta E. Rundel
"I heard the bells on Christmas Day.
Their old familiar carols play.
And wild and sweet the words repeat.
Of peace on earth goodwill to men."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
For almost 2000 years the Christian icons have always been the objects of prayer and contemplation for believers.
Interest is growing for this Sacred art form, not only for its aesthetic and artistic qualities, but for its profound spirituality.
The pictorial representations of Biblical scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, historical events in the life of the Church, and portraits of the saints, icons are not merely pictures used to decorate walls, but also "windows to Heaven" embracing a mystical beauty of faith, love and well-being.
Though, not so long ago the art of icon painting (icon writing is the correct term) served the needs of churches and religious people, in the present days icons are also valued as decorative elements.
In this post I want to present Mircea Vladimir Bodea, a very talented
He developed his own style, a special technique of icon painting by creating a texture based on eggshells.
He applies with great skill pieces of eggshell onto durable wood as a base for painting.
All his works are hand painted and varnished.
A particular spiritual importance is given to the gilding achieved by gold leaves in either oil and water based gilding applications.
The background of the icon for an iconographer is "Light", sign of the Divine Grace that illuminates the world.
The gilded lines on the dresses and on the objects suggest the beneficent energies they reflect.
Mircea Vladimir Bodea's has painted over 300 icons admired all around the world.
You can see some more of his icons by visiting his website.
