Course description
This course focuses on the spiritual healing power of icons. In the church tradition, we find destinies and life paths from which we can draw comfort in the midst of our sorrows – even holy people experienced worldly losses and tragedies. Painting an icon of a saint you identify with can be a healing process in a difficult life situation, and helps with processing emotions. The level of the course is open to everyone, and the subject and technique are free. Instead of striving for perfection, we focus on creating a connection to what is depicted in the icon. If you wish, you can draw the icon with colored pencils or paint it with a technique you are familiar with. You can choose a subject, for example, by familiarizing yourself with the biographies of saints. If necessary, you will receive suggestions from the teacher and the priest, with whom you will also have the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions. You can purchase the icon base and other tools and materials needed for the course from the institute. If you want to make an icon using a technique other than egg tempera, please bring your own materials and supplies. Please note that those under 35 years of age receive a 40 percent discount on the course price. Accommodation the night before the course is included in the course price, any meals on April 14th will be paid at Trapesa at normal prices. Teachers are icon painter Sofia Williams and father Risto Käyhkö.
Course program
Tuesday 14.4.
Arrival in Valamo, accommodation.
Reception open until 4 pm. If you arrive later, you can pick up your room key from the locker in the hallway with a code sent via text message. Possibility of self-catering in the monastery restaurant Trapesa, where a buffet is available until 2 pm.
Wednesday 15.4.
At 6 am Midnight and morning service. I moment.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 Course opening.
12.00 Lunch.
14.00–17.00 Guided work.
18.00 IX moment. Evening service. Small post-evening service and pravilo.
19.30 Evening meal.
Thursday 16.4.
06.00 Midnight and morning service. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 Initial prayers in class, daily teaching talk and guided work.
12.00 Lunch.
14.00-17.00 Guided work.
18.00 IX hour. Evening service. Small post-evening service and rules.
19.30 Evening.
Friday 17.4.
06.00 Midnight and morning service. I hour.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 Opening prayers in class, teaching talk of the day and guided work.
12.00 Lunch.
14.00–17.00 Guided work.
18.00 IX hour. Evening service. Small post-evening service and Easter canon.
19.30 Evening meal.
Saturday 18.4.
06.00 Midnight and morning service. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 Opening prayers in class, daily teaching talk and guided work.
12.00 Moleben
12.00 Lunch.
14.00–17.00 Guided work.
18.00 Vigil
19.30 Evening meal.
Sunday 19.4.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 III moment. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Panagia.
11.00 Guided work.
13.00 Lunch.
15.00–17.00 Guided work.
18.00 IX moment. Evening service. Small post-vespers service and Akathist for the Dead to the Risen Christ.
7:30 PM Evening meal.
Monday 20.4.
6:00 AM Midnight and morning service. I moment.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 Initial prayers in class, daily teaching talk and guided work.
12.00 Lunch.
14.00–17.00 Guided work.
18.00 IX moment. Evening service. Small after-part service and rules.
19.30 Evening meal.
Tuesday 21.4.
06.00 Midnight and morning service. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
07.30- Breakfast.
09.00 Opening prayers in class, daily teaching talk and guided work.
12.00 Lunch.
14.00–17.00 Guided work.
18.00 IX hour. Evening service. Small after-evening service and pravilo.
19.30 Evening meal.
Wednesday 22.4.
06.00 Midnight and polyeleo morning service. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
07.30- Breakfast
09.00 End of the course. Graduation prayers, feedback discussion, and opportunity to purchase materials.
11.00 Lunch.
