About Maria Athanasiou

Maria Athanasiou was born in Greece and now lives in East Northport, NY. She has received a certificate of design from Veloudakis Institute in Athens, Greece, and now devotes her time to serving her home parish and painting icons. Maria has written and illustrated a number of Christian Picture Books for children. Her works include:

Books:

• Rejoice (2009 – Revised 2015)
• The Amazing Life of Jesus Christ (2010)
• The Virgin Mary Mother of God (2010)
• Christ Is Risen (2012)
• The Holy Apostles (2017)

ON ORTHODOX ICONOGRAPHY

by Maria Athanasiou

Since God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was born and became visible, we make Holy pictures of Him and His Saints. The Icon of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is the beginning of the icons, as this is when we first see God. Angels and animals, rich kings and poor shepherds—all creation rejoices that the Son of God is born. God the Father and the Holy Spirit are also represented in this icon by the circle and the rays at the top.

Iconography is a picture language and a liturgical art. Every icon is like an open door to Paradise, through which we visit Jesus and His Saints in prayer. Icons were the first picture Bibles for those who could not read. The holy icons are silent but attract the soul, whispering special messages and keeping the mind from wandering during prayer. While the icon is visible, the figure in the icon is invisibly present. We venerate the icons, attributing the glory to the prototype, and light candles to show our love and respect for God and His Saints. We worship only God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Creating sacred icons in a faithful manner—with prayers and fasting—is a labor of love for God and His Church and contributes to the preservation of Jesus, the Holy Trinity, the All-Holy Theotokos, the Saints, and the Ascetics.