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Icon Painting for Those with Some Experience: John the Forerunner 6/2026

21.06.2026 00:00 - 30.06.2026 00:00

Registration ends: 15.06.2026 00:00 - If registration has already closed, please inquire about course places by calling 017 570 1810.

myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi, p. 017 5701 810

, 679€/Guest House single room, incl. accommodation, teaching, meals

Register for the course here

Course description

This course is intended for individuals who have completed Valamo Folk High School's beginner's course, or who have equivalent knowledge and skills. The Forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist, is an inseparable part of the Deisis intercessory icon group, alongside Christ and the Mother of God. In this course, timed with his feast – Midsummer – a simple icon of John, limited to the shoulders, will be painted. The course is an excellent opportunity to paint a patron saint icon for Juhi, Hannu, Johannes, and Jussi, whose heavenly intercessor is John the Baptist. The course will delve peacefully into painting faces and hair, and, regarding icon theology, into the tradition of depicting the Forerunner. You will receive the icon base and model at the beginning of the course. Other tools and materials needed for the course can also be purchased from the folk high school. Please note that those under 35 years old receive a 40 percent discount on the price of icon painting courses. Instructor: icon painter Sofia Williams.

Epassi mobile app can be used as a payment method for this course.

Course program

Sunday 21.6.

Arrival in Valamo, accommodation.

(Monastery taxi arrives from Joensuu at approximately 4:00 PM. If you arrive before this, you can have a buffet meal at Restaurant Trapesa included in the course price)

4:15 PM - 6:00 PM Course opening. Introduction to the topic and preliminary preparations.

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline and Akathist to Saint John of Valamo. (Main Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Monday 22.6.

6:00 AM Midnight Office and Matins. First Hour (Main Church).

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Opening prayers in the classroom. Guided work.

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service (Main Church).

12:00 PM Lunch.

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Guided work.

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline and pravilo (Main Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Tuesday 23.6.

6:00 AM Midnight Office and Matins. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Main Church).

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Opening prayers in the classroom. Guided work.

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service (Main Church).

12:00 PM Lunch.

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Guided work.

6:00 PM Vigil (Main Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Wednesday 24.6. NATIVITY OF JOHN THE FORERUNNER, annual feast of the cemetery chapel

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Third Hour. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Panagia (Main Church).

12:00 PM Small blessing of water (Cemetery chapel).

Lunch according to your own schedule before instruction

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Guided work

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline and pravilo.

7:30 PM Supper.

Thursday 25.6.

6:00 AM Midnight Office and Matins. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Main Church).

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Opening prayers in the classroom. Guided work.

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service (Main Church).

12:00 PM Lunch.

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Guided work.

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline and pravilo (Main Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Friday 26.6.

6:00 AM Midnight Office and Matins. First Hour (Main Church).

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Opening prayers in the classroom. Guided work.

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service (Main Church).

12:00 PM Lunch.

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Guided work.

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline and Triple Canon. (Old Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Saturday 27.6.

6:00 AM Midnight Office and Matins. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. (Old Church).

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Opening prayers in the classroom. Guided work.

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service (Old Church).

12:00 PM Lunch.

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Guided work.

6:00 PM Vigil (Old Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Sunday 28.6. COMMEMORATION DAY OF SAINTS SERGEI AND HERMAN OF VALAMO

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Third Hour. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Panagia. (Old Church).

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service for Saints Sergei and Herman of Valamo. (Old Church).

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Guided work (lunch break at a suitable interval, approximately 2:00-3:00 PM)

6:00 PM Vigil (Main Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Monday 29.6. COMMEMORATION DAY OF APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL, End of the Apostles' Fast

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Third Hour. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Panagia. (Main Church).

12:00 PM Moleben, or prayer service. (Main Church).

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Guided work (lunch break at a suitable interval, approximately 2:00-3:00 PM)

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline and Akathist to Saints Sergei and Herman of Valamo. (Main Church).

7:30 PM Supper.

Tuesday 30.6.

6:00 AM Midnight Office and Matins. Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Main Church).

7:30 AM Breakfast.

9:00 AM Finishing, concluding prayers. Feedback discussion, further instructions, and course closing.

11:00 AM Packing and room handover

12:00 PM Lunch.

(Monastery taxi to Joensuu departs at 1:50 PM)

Rights to changes reserved

Teacher

Williams Sofia

I am an icon painter and theology student from Helsinki. As a teacher, I am patient and gentle, and in my courses, I strive to create an encouraging and warm atmosphere where even a beginner can easily join. Alongside learning the technique, I emphasize a holistic approach to the symbolism and theology of the icon being painted – it is important to understand what we are depicting and why. In addition to painting with egg tempera, I very much enjoy teaching gilding.

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