A 7-day course in
Ancient Byzantine Iconography
10th - 16th June 2025
Welcoming both novices and experienced iconographers to the Prosopon style of icon-writing
A 7-day icon-writing course led by Deacon Nikita Andrejev, of the Prosopon School of Iconology
The practice of writing icons is primarily a spiritual one, reflecting the theological world-view of the Christian faith. Each element of the process is imbued with symbolism, inviting the icon-writer into a deeper contemplation of the Christian faith and making a prayer of his work.
Over the 7 days of this iconography course, students will write their own icon using the ancient art of liquid egg tempera technique.
The teaching of the technical process will be accompanied by prayer and by a theological discourse. The practical demonstrations will be framed by explanations of the symbolic meaning of the iconic forms, and of the materials and the processes involved. Morning and Evening Prayer in common will give further spiritual structure to the day.
Set in beautiful surroundings and with a light-filled and spacious venue, this week-long immersion into an ancient form of prayer is a unique opportunity to refresh and recreate your soul in prayer and a warm community environment.
“Profound, yet gentle and supportive”
“I don’t know of any other course at such a high standard, with plenty of theological & spiritual input”
“Wonderful teaching. A well-balanced course”
Our course welcomes both novices to the Prosopon technique and more experienced iconographers alike.
Both novices and advanced student will work on the same Deisis icon of the Mother of God.
A varying level of detail and adornment on this icon will be tasked to each student according to their experience.
Novices will benefit from the support of an additional tutor, Sharon Seager, and supervised skills practice.
Left: Example image of a Deisis icon
For years Nikita Andreyev apprenticed to his father, Vladislav Andreyev, complimenting this experience with postgraduate theological studies in Paris and the United States.
As a member of the faculty team of the Prosopon School of Iconology, Nikita has contributed to the development of unique teaching methods. The resulting workshop experience enables participants to create and grow through their icon making, developing spiritually through each icon.
Since its founding in the 1980s, the School has rediscovered lost techniques of the ancient art of liquid egg tempera and has helped ignite a renewed interest in icons across the USA and the western world.
For more information about Deacon Nikita Andrejev, please click here.
Theodore House offers a wonderful venue for icon painting. With abundant natural light from the glass roof panels flooding the atrium, this is an inspiring venue for icon painting. The tranquil and beautiful surroundings of the Stonyhurst estate offer an ideally peaceful setting. The first floor gallery, which gives access to the comfortable, en-suite bedrooms, affords a birds-eye view of the workshop below. Guests will also enjoy the comfortable recreational spaces and a beautifully lanscaped garden.
For more information about Theodore House, please click here.
Classes start daily at 9am with the Office of Morning Prayer at 8:45am, beginning on Tuesday 10th June.
Classes end in the afternoon of Monday 16th June, with departures between 2pm and 4pm.
Residential participants are welcome to arrive during the day on Monday 9th June, with dinner included that evening. No lunch will be provided on Monday.
Non-residential participants have lunch included from Tuesday 10th June, and dinner as per the booking option.
For all participants, the last meal offered is lunch on Monday 16th June.
Accommodation for the night of Monday 16th June can be purchased as an optional extra.
We are conveniently situated an hour’s drive from Manchester Airport, which is well-connected internationally.
Once you have booked your flights, please provide us with your flight details.
We will aim to arrange either a pick-up or shared transport with other course participants, either from Manchester Airport itself, or from Preston train station, which has a direct connection to Manchester airport.
Cost
Full board* & lodging, single room: £1,070 p.p.
Full board* & lodging, shared twin room: £870 p.p. – subject to availability: please enquire
Non-residential: full board (lunch and dinner*), £660 / half board (lunch* only), £540 p.p.
– Non-residential participation is not recommended unless within a 15-minute drive of the venue, due to the intense nature of the course.
A non-refundable deposit of £250 will be required upon booking.
Balance of course fees will be due 1 month before the course, but may be spread over several installments prior to this date.
*Please note: all meals on this course are fish or vegetarian, as is the custom in this work.
“It’s been an extraordinary week”
“It is always a privilege and a humble experience to be part of an icon painting class; but it is particularly with this class that I learnt the most and had the most change in myself”
Please register below (£250 deposit payment required).
Venue & Getting to us:
If you are reliant on public transport, please consider traveling by train to Preston train station. From there, we aim to co-ordinate minicab shares or lifts amongst participants of any given event. If you require further advice or assistance, email us: [email protected]