www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Beheading of The Baptist

Mark:

Slava Na Viki!

I have only used imitation gold leaf as "practice leaf" when I was first learning how to apply leaf to icons. As it has more substance, it is easier for a novice to handle, and, being cheap, it is OK if you screw up with it.

I've never seen aluminium leaf turn, though. Using aluminium leaf for the background and gold for the halos gives a pretty nice contrast.

Dave

SLAVA ISUSU CHRISTU!

Hi Dave..

My ikon teacher had us gold-leafing from the start. I was REALLY scared the first time but I've relaxed a great deal since then.

I don't use a lot of gold leaf. I generally paint the backgrounds on my ikons and use gold-leaf on the halos of Christ, Mary and the Archangels.

Anyone else gets yellowish paint.

I'm working with a woman who makes rizas here. I'm hoping to her teach a class on how to make halos for ikons.

She uses tin and does all the flowers and everything else. It's fascinating!!

mark

Dear Friends,

The Ukie Orthodox Metropolitan Ilarion Ohienko describes a number of these traditions in his book "PreChristian Beliefs of the Ukrainian People."

He writes that great feasts of saints began with the boiling of honey-wine.

On the feast of St Barbara, perogies or pyrohy were boiled in oil, as she was by her father . . .

Poppy-seeds are blessed on the Administrator's birthday, August 1/14 as a play on the word "Makovey" or "Maccabee" where "Mak" means "poppyseeds" - and then stored for use at the Nativity.

The three Feasts of the Saviour in August relate to different agricultural harvests - August 1/14 is called the "Honey Saviour" as the first honey is blessed.

The Feast of the Transfiguration is called the "Apple Saviour" as apples and soft fruits are blessed.

The Feast of the Translation of the Image not made by hands is called the "Bread Saviour" and relates, ultimately, to the Western feast of Lammas.

Just thought you might like to know, if you didn't already . . .

Alex