Wonderful video of Coptic Orthodox iconographer, Dr Stephane Rene painting a giant Pantocrator - Blessing Christ - at St Mary and St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, Hillsborough, New Jersey
A Coptic Orthodox Commentator on The Way of Beauty and the 21st Century Catholic Renaissance
As a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, he is making such observations as an outsider, and while he is critical about some aspects of traditional Catholic culture, he is refreshingly open to the first developments taking place in what he sees as a renewal of sacred arts in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Hard Work of Re-Establishing an Artistic Tradition - The Neo-Coptic Icons of Dr Stephane Rene
Two More Neo Coptic Icons by Dr Stephane Rene
Further to the recent posting about a Coptic style Stella Maris icon, here are two more icons by Dr Stephane Rene in his ‘neo-Coptic’ style. They were sent to me by two people who read the previous article. St Joseph of the House of David and Mary Mother of the City are in St Joseph’s Catholic church, in Bunhill Row in the City of London. I remember this Church because it is just around the corner from the offices of the Catholic Herald, where I once worked. They come courtesy of a reader who brought them to my notice. So if you're reading thank you Martin Pendergast, and to you Sr Jean for supplying the images.
The name derives from the fact that St Joseph, although poor was of the Royal House of David. There are four narrative scenes from the gospel in each corner. The one of the Holy Family in a boat is depicting them on the Nile - representing the period of exile. Notice also the beautiful patterned border that Dr Rene has designed.
In this huge icon (3 metres x 2 metres). Mary is shown coming from an enclosed garden (a reference to the sybolism in the Song of Songs). The peacock is a traditional symbol of eternal life. The stream flowing from a cave represents the womb from which Christ emerged to live among us and give us the living water.
