Date: Fri 04-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

icons-Assumption-Orthodox

Full Text:

Orthodox Iconography: Stories For The Eyes

(with photos)

BY SHANNON HICKS

DANBURY -- When Assumption Greek Orthodox Church hosts its annual "The Greek

Experience" festival the weekend of June 11-13 this year, those who partake in

one of the traditional tours of the church's interior are in for an even more

magnificent reading of iconography than has been presented in the past.

Icons are religious images of the stories told in the Bible. The painted

panels are idols -- meant to be looked at and appreciated by those of faith,

not doubters -- and have been used to teach the readings of the Bible since at

least the 12th Century.

Icons are considered orthodoxy's highest artistic achievement. And the icons

that now adorn the walls of Assumption Orthodox are absolutely breathtaking.

Last fall, Tom Athanasios Clark put the finishing touches on the latest phase

of an iconography project at the Clapboard Ridge Road church that has been in

the works for nearly a decade. Mr Clark, a former altar boy of Assumption, now

lives in Greece with his wife and four children, but continues to maintain a

close relationship with the church and pastor of his childhood.

"I told him he always had talent," Father Peter Karloutsos said recently,

looking around his beautiful church, "but even I didn't realize he had this

kind." Father Karloutsos has been with the Danbury church as its pastor for 22

years.

Mr Clark studied in the church's seminary and then went to Greece to study

iconography. He has since worked in Greece, Italy, Serbia, and other churches

in the United States.

"Icons tell stories," Father Peter explained. In fact, when referring to icons

it is correct to say you read an icon, not just look at it. An iconographer,

therefore, does not just paint an icon; he or she writes an icon.

"One hundred years ago, how many people could read?" Father Karloutsos

continued. "Icons were a way to teach the Bible. It's true what they say: A

picture is worth a thousand words.

"They call it writing an icon because you are writing the word of God when you

are writing an icon," he continued.

Assumption is the only orthodox church in the Danbury area, which explains why

its congregation -- and those who are drawn to the annual three-day

celebration, which is the ceremonial closing of the church's 40-day

observation of Pascha -- come from so far each week to see Father Karloutsos

and the beautiful property that overlooks the city of Danbury. Father

Karloutsos regularly sees parishioners from "a good 30-mile radius," he says,

including those who drive from Kent, Newtown, Redding, Wilton, Southbury, and

even in from Hopewell Junction and Pawling, N.Y.

"There's so much here, it's almost hard to take it in during one visit," said

Father Peter.

But visitors next weekend will be invited to take in as much as they can

during the run of "The Greek Experience." Guides will explain some of the

teachings behind the church's icons, and offer a basic timeline of when

certain portions of the project have been done.

The first work Mr Clark did for the church's iconography restoration was

nearly eight years ago, when he first re-did the Virgin Mary that is seen on a

smaller semi dome, or apse, behind a screen of icons that guards the entrance

to the church's altar area. The icon screen in front of the altar was the next

work to be completed, followed by the altar area with its depictions of the

Hierarchs about four years ago.

The angels seen above the Virgin Mary's dome were done two years ago. Last

summer was when Mr Clark concentrated on the main dome of the sanctuary, or

the Throne of God. The main dome of the church presents views of panto Krator

("He who governs all"). Around the dome, which Father Karloutsos explained is

symbolic of the Heavens, are icons of the eight prophets who foretold of the

coming of the Messiah.

Within the area of the dome, Christ is also depicted in four different ways.

The four Evangelists who wrote the four Gospels are depicted, with one each at

the top of the four columns, which symbolizes the four men -- St Matthew, St

Mark, St Luke, and St John -- who "hold up the dome," Father Kartlousos

further explained.

Mr Clark generally did the paintings of the main characters that are now found

on the walls, screens and ceiling domes of the church on canvas in his studio

in Greece. He then transported the canvases to Danbury, where he applied the

pieces directly to the walls or ceilings before painting the detail work

around each canvas.

The result is a seamless presentation. It is nearly impossible to tell where

each canvas ends and the on-site painting begins. Mr Clark's work is

extraordinarily precise.

What makes the sanctuary even more breathtaking than the work that has been

applied to its walls and ceilings is the added effect achieved by the use of

24 karat gold leaf throughout. Mr Clark's paintings have, through the very

careful application of thousands of tiny panels of the gold leaf, a luminosity

to them that is appropriate for the artwork's sacred surroundings.

Gloria Abondolo is one of many Newtown residents who are members of Assumption

Greek Orthodox.

"It's quite a beautiful thing," Mrs Abondolo recently said, of the restoration

of her church's iconography. "And it's been done the proper way.

"The church was designed after the Byzantine style of architecture, and built

with all the yellow bricks." The church's current building was designed in

1980. Ground-breaking took place in October 1981; services were first held in

the new building's community hall for Easter 1983; and the church's

Thyranoixia (Door Opening) ceremony was held May 17, 1987.

"There has been quite a bit of extensive work on the iconography of our church

and it is in quite a beautiful state right now," she said. "It's quite

expensive, though, so we are kind of on hold temporarily."

"The Greek Experience" has been taking place each June since 1979. In addition

to tours of the church's interior, the festival offers all visitors more food

than can be imagined, and all of it is prepared by members of the church.

Parishioners serve everything from souvlaki, gyros and pastichio to lamb,

baklava and other traditional Greek favorites.

The festival also features dancing, raffles, games and other activities.

"Our church, our way of life, is a life of celebration," said Father

Karloutsos. "Even with all of life's tragedies, we continue to believe in hope

and faith, because God gives us hope and faith."

The Greeks, said the pastor, are known for their hospitality. Philoxenia is a

word that means "friend of the stranger," which is the reason for opening the

church's celebration to everyone who would like to enjoy it.

"Our festival is based on the idea of celebrating springtime and life. Greeks

enjoy celebrating life." And the parishioners at Assumption Greek Orthodox

have plenty of pictures -- or icons -- to prove it.