Icon Painting Workshop in Crete, August 1-10th, taught by George Kordis

I will be attending this 10-day residential course this summer. It welcomes all, from absolute beginners to seasoned artists, and can be a masterclass for professionals.

Writing the Light is a program of instruction in traditional Byzantine-style iconography that offers comprehensive training through its Certificate Program, from soup to nuts. Their classes are predominantly distance-learning or online, but are supplemented by in-person intensive workshops taught by master teachers, and led by the main teacher, renowned Orthodox iconographer George Kordis. The workshops are part of the full program, but you don’t need to be enrolled in the Certificate Program to attend. Many do so for personal enrichment and enjoyment without completing the whole program. They take place in various locations: Crete, Dublin, Ireland, and several in the US. I recommend Writing the Light instruction, especially to those who want a fully integrated training program that may lead to becoming working artists, and those seeking classes for personal enrichment.

The program emphasises a welcoming approach; many Catholics are enrolled as students. To register and read more about the class, follow this link.

My wife, Margarita, who teaches at Princeton, and I are looking forward to participating in this residential workshop. We have both been invited to speak to the group, but we will also be following George’s tutoring, and painting icons along with the group. As speakers, we represent the Scala Foundation, where Margarita serves as Executive Director, and I am Artist in Residence, and Pontifex University, which offers the Master of Sacred Arts program, where I also serve as Provost and Dean of the Faculty of Sacred Arts. Writing the Light encourages all their students to complement their practical training with the online intellectual and cultural formation that the Pontifex University classes offer.

In my talk, I will emphasise the relevance of traditional Byzantine iconography to all Christians, discuss the impact that sacred art has on the wider culture, and discuss the importance today to all painters of learning traditional iconography, at the very least as a foundational discipline, regardless of what form they eventually specialize in, if we want to re-establish a Christian culture of beauty in the secular West.

Margarita will speak on the importance of artistic practice in education—both K-12 and higher education—as a formative tool not just for future artists, but for the development of every student’s capacity for perception, imagination, and creativity; and how both the making and contemplation of sacred art, such as icons, can nurture a graced imagination that informs all human activity, where beauty, virtue, moral formation, and the love of God are not separate pursuits, but work in unity.

To register and read more about the class, follow this link.

George Kordis is one of the foremost iconographers of our time. His approach, rooted in and never straying from tradition, emphasises rhythmical and flowing line as the basis of form, bringing the tradition alive for contemporary artists. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned iconographer, the course is designed to meet you where you are, guiding you through the whole painting process.

As mentioned, for those considering a deeper commitment, this workshop can be taken as a standalone experience or as part of Writing the Light’s Certificate Program in Byzantine Iconography, which blends online learning with residential intensives in the US, Ireland, or Crete.

What to Expect in Crete

Held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete, steps from the sea and surrounded by olive groves, this workshop offers more than technical instruction. Under George Kordis’ guidance, you’ll explore the Byzantine visual system through hands-on practice, learning to mix natural pigments, understand sacred geometry, and develop fluency in line and form. Daily sessions include small-group mentoring and one-on-one feedback, ensuring a supportive environment for all skill levels.

Beyond the studio, there will be guided excursions to historic Byzantine churches and monasteries, plus a special visit to the Museum of Christian Art in Heraklion.

Why You Should Join Us

This workshop is ideal for anyone drawn to sacred art—artists, clergy, educators, or those simply curious about iconography. No prior experience is needed, and the course welcomes beginners and experts.

We’d love for you to join us in Crete. For more details and to register, visit Writing the Light’s Summer School page or contact Keri Wiederspahn at info@writingthelight.com (mailto:info@writingthelight.com).

Read more about Writing the Light and Dr. George Kordis here.