Lenten Prayer

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

– Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

Image: St. Efraim the Syrien, Dr. George Kordis.

Within the teachings and arts of the Orthodox Church we sometimes hear a suspicion about creativity. To some ears, the words “creative” and “new,” sound opposed to “Tradition” which is unchanging. In his art and his writings, world-renowned iconographer Dr. George Kordis demonstrates compellingly how tradition has always been not only creative, but in a fruitful relationship with secular culture.

If we look at Kordis’ line drawings, they are distinctive by virtue of the wonderful grace and flow in the use of line, certainly, but nevertheless are still conventional iconographic drawings.

When Kordis adds color, however, he is much less conventional and loose in its application. This gives his icons a modern feel, but because his draughtsmanship is so precise, he stays within the bounds of the iconographic tradition.

( svots.edu )