Icons

March 10, 2026

Photograph of the Coast Salish Risen Christ, written by André Prévost, (2019).

Perhaps you're wondering why I'm writing about icons in a 2026 Spirituality for Chaotic Times Blog. Well, I somehow felt called to do so. I think it's because the iconographers' intent is to lead those who gaze upon icons into communion with the Holy. And the intent of this blog is to provide some spiritual practices that can negate the negative forces swirling around by bringing us into communion with the Source of love, goodness, compassion, kindness, beauty, life...

So here I go:

Icons are an ancient art form that have traditionally depicted portrait-style Christian characters and scenes. While this has expanded to icons of other holy people, the process always involves an artist prayerfully painting or “writing” the icon.

Mostly icons are painted on wood with mineral and earth pigments and egg yolk, [1], but they have also been written on metal, mosaics, frescos, paper, and other surfaces, [2]. There are many examples of icons on the internet if you’d like to see more than the ones in this blog, [3].

I was introduced to icons forty years ago when a friend commissioned Canadian iconographer André Prévost, [4] to write an icon as a wedding gift for my husband and me, (see below). At the center of the icon were the Madonna with the Child Jesus on her lap. Mary and Jesus were flanked by two characters—Saint Raphael, the archangel with whom I’d had a prayerful relationship, and Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. Cecilia was someone who my musician husband could connect with.

In all honesty, I hadn’t spent a lot of time gazing upon this special, personally-written icon until I started writing this blog. It was simply a painting that hung in my living room. But recently I’ve spent time with the wedding icon and these unique prayer times have reinforced my understanding that icons truly are gateways to the Divine. Bridges to the other side of the veil.

Photograph of our wedding icon written by  André Prévost, (1986).

Previously I’d only gazed upon icons in churches or at retreat centers. It felt good to be reminded that I could do this type of prayer at home. In fact, I obviously have an attraction to icons since I have hung a number of them around my house, [5].

Prayer with icons is a unique experience, mostly because it’s an “eyes open” prayer. But more importantly it’s a prayer of receptivity that can sink us deeply into our souls.

More than a few times icons have brought me to tears, laughter, and awarenesses of my inner life and needs. Often, they remind me of God’s unconditional love for me, [6]. All of these experiences have been helpful, especially in times of struggle.

This type of prayer can be challenging because we aren’t meant to do anything. We simply receive whatever comes from the image. There are times that I feel antsy while trying to hold my gaze on the icon. Part of the practice is to work through distractions, those feelings of struggling to be. Relying on the Divine to help us be.

The small, (or not so small) times in which we gaze upon icons provide us with opportunities for the images to speak to our hearts. In this way the Source of Life can connect to us through our senses.

I invite you to consider praying with an icon. You could use one of the icon photos in this blog, or any other icon that you feel attracted to. The SoundCloud voice note will guide you into praying with your chosen icon, [7]. If you'd like to journal after praying with your icon there are some journaling questions below the SoundCloud voice note.

Photograph of The Trinity, written by Andrei Rublev, (early 15th century).

I cannot remember where I purchased this icon.

Potential journaling questions, [8]:

• What stands out for you from your icon prayer time?

• What was it like to use your eyes so intently in prayer?

• Did you struggle to "be" with the icon and if so, how did that unfold in your prayer time?

• Did you feel the presence of the Holy during your prayer? If so, then how did this feel? What did you experience?

• Do you feel inspired to pray in this way in the future? Why or why not?

Photograph of The Annunciation, written by Fra Angelico, (1432-1434). The icon photographed was purchased in the Museo Diocesano, Cortona, Italy.

1. If you’d like to hear more about this technique see: Icon Workshop, BCEReligousEd, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GFBffR9eI&t=5s

2. Other contemporary icons have been created with different materials, such as paper and metal. See Marcy Hall's icons on paper: https://abbeyofthearts.com/poetry%EF%BD%9Cart%EF%BD%9Cmusic/icons/#browse and Evan Wilson's with metal, https://orthodoxartsjournal.org/making-magnificent-hammer-crafted-icons-an-interview-with-evan-wilson/

3. Two other contemporary iconographers include Robert Lenz and Kreg Yingst. Here are sites that showcase their work: https://trinitystores.com/collections/br-robert-lentz-ofm?srsltid=AfmBOoo_F6oFckyymNhHpG-eMlMhuPtH_dRwZJbCsPSsoKrd42Ra06QP and https://www.etsy.com/shop/PsalmPrayers?ref=hp_from_thank_you_module&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

4. See André Prévost: https://www.andreprevost.com/

5. The photographs in this blog are from my collection of icons.

6. This is supported by Jeannette de Beauvoir as something that can happen when we pray with icons. From Jeannette de Beauvoir, Praying with Icons, St. Anthony Messenger, Franciscan Media, https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/praying-with-icons/ .

7. Teresa A. Blythe, 50 Ways to Pray: Practice from Many Traditions and Times, Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, 2006, 41-42 and Jim Forest, Praying with Icons, Spirituality and Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys, https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/practices/view/17837/praying-with-icons and https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/praying-with-icons/

8. These are my own ideas and some others from Teresa A. Blythe, 50 Ways to Pray, 42.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Maureen Fowler, a beloved spiritual mentor.