www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship Icons & Iconography Canadian Iconographer Heiko Schlieper Dies

A lost Canadian icon Artisan Heinrich 'Heiko' Schlieper was recognized the world over for his Orthodox iconography, Robert de Koninck writes.
Robert de Koninck, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Walk into Edmonton's St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, and a spectacle of some of the finest Christian iconography will fill every sight line. Among the countless icons depicted, there are images of Christ and the 12 Apostles, all delicately hand-painted in gold leaf and egg yolk-based paint, a technique that hasn't changed in more than 1,500 years.
"I swear, every square inch is covered, including the huge dome. It's absolutely out of this world," says Mary Brown, who became a fan of iconography when she entered the church a number of years ago.
Mrs. Brown is, of course, referring to the crowning achievement of the late Heinrich "Heiko" Schlieper, recognized as Canada's pre-eminent Christian iconographer.

His panels are in museums, churches and private collections all over the world, and his work was featured in several exhibitions, including the Under the Sign of the Cross exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Mr. Schlieper died in Edmonton on April 13, at the age of 76.
The iconographer began his career in academia, teaching classes at, among others, the University of Ottawa and Mc-Gill University. He specialized in Eastern European, Balkan and Byzantine history. But in 1982, he grew weary of teaching, and moved to Ottawa to devote himself full time to Orthodox iconography.

"He couldn't stop creating things; he was a maker," says his widow, Anne. "He could go hours at a time, and wouldn't even notice the time go by." Still, says Mrs. Schlieper, her husband would connect with family and friends, while dividing his time between residences in Ottawa, Edmonton and Quebec's Eastern Townships.

"When he put painting aside, he was convivial, and he loved to entertain guests at home, and have parties," she says. "He loved to cook, he was a great cook.

"When he'd go out with our children,'' she says. ''he would whittle little spoons out of wood and carve their initials on them. He was always making something."

Mr. Schlieper's creativity never faded, even when his vision did.
Later in life, he had macular degeneration, and was almost blind when he died. While he had to stop painting, he continued to write, and he even taught himself how to weave by touch.

Robert Klymasz was the curator of Mr. Schlieper's exhibition at the Museum of Civilization. He remembers the iconographer as very dedicated, but also very knowledgeable. "He was a historian before he became an iconographer, so he knew what each stroke meant, and he had a real feel for it," Mr. Klymasz says.
"Most of all, he was always unassuming. He never marketed himself, and he was always sincere."

The H.C. Schlieper Museum of Iconography at All Saints Monastery in Dewdney, B.C., houses the largest collection of Mr. Schlieper's work.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen...-acc8-4baf-8d2c-2c0748912c8c&k=77528

http://www.archdiocese.ca/news/com/162.2005.Spring.pdf

Historic day for iconography in Canada

On the afternoon of October 2, 2004, the voices of children playing rang out amidst the tranquil hills and trees of the Monastery of All Saints of North America in Dewdney BC.
Upwards of fifty guests from several parishes�as well as pilgrims from three countries�were on hand to welcome the distinguished Canadian iconographer, Heiko Schlieper, and to celebrate the opening of an icon museum and centre for icononography that will bear his name.
After officially opening the museum, His Eminence Archbishop Lazar, Retired Bishop of Ottawa, welcomed the curator of the new centre, David J. Goa, who in turn introduced Mr Schlieper. Having begun studying iconography in the early 1950s, Mr Schlieper left his academic career at McGill University in 1978 to dedicate himself to iconography full-time. He took a few moments to describe what he called the �three levels� of the iconographer�s task : striving for mastery of the technical skills, continual study of the tradition, and a spiritual pilgrimage. It is hoped that the Heiko Schlieper Icon Museum will become a resource and inspiration to the iconographers throughout North America.
As visitors toured the light-filled conference room, which was filled also with over fifty holy icons written by Mr Schlieper, conversations could be heard in English, Romanian, Russian, Arabic, and Greek. The afternoon was rounded out by an informative lecture by Archbishop Lazar entitled, �The Icon as Scripture,� and, as the sun began to set, many of the faithful were present for Great Vespers in the monastery�s chapel. The whole day was a powerful witness to the universal language
of the Orthodox Christian faith . . . the great tradition of iconography.
�Matthew Francis, St Herman of Alaska Sobor,
Edmonton, September 12, 2000

Was Mr. Schlieper Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox?

Is that important?

Is that important?

Is that important?

Many of us have fond memories of Heiko Schlieper a former parishioner whomade wonderful tortes with hazelnut butter cream frosting and who tried to spend Easter with us as often as he could .Heiko fell asleep in the Lord on April 13th. The Obituary that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen is below.

SCHLIEPER, Heinrich (Heiko) (May 25, 1931 April 13, 2008) Died on Sunday morning in Edmonton, Alberta. Mourned by his wife, Anne, his sons Paul and Mark, daughter-in-law Anna (Galt), grandson Luke, his nieces and nephews and many friends in Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal. He was Canada's foremost iconographer. St. George the Victory Bearer Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edmonton is his grand work. His panel icons are in museum and private collections around the world and were featured in a number of exhibitions including "Anno Domini: Jesus Through the Centuries" in the year 2000. The major collection of his work is held in the H.C. Schlieper Museum of Iconography at All Saints Monastery in Dewdney, British Columbia. He is remembered by the parish of St. Herman's of Alaska Sobor, 9930 - 167 Street. A prayer service will be held at Saint Herman's on Wednesday, April 16 at 8 PM, and the funeral will be at 10 AM on Thursday, April 17 at the church. Contributions in Heiko's memory may be made to the H.C. Schlieper Museum c/o All Saints of North America Monastery, Dewdney, B. C. V0M 1H0. Memory Eternal.

Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 4/15/2008 - 4/16/2008.

The more I think about this, actually, YES, it IS.

Why?

For as many who are either quick to lament or eager to point out that we Greek Catholics have "lost our way" and been "so utterly Latinized", it is always nice to know about the members of the Greek Catholic "vostochnik renaissance", who have re-inspired and added to the total Byzantine treasury.

As to the second comment, those who believe that we Greek Catholics or our Oriental Catholic brethren have lost our way are not of great consequence to me. I look about me - particularly at those in attendance upon this forum - Catholics and Orthodox - and I see a vast host of persons who are, in the main, concerned with witnessing to one another about the beauty and truth of their Churches and faith, who see brothers and sisters in one another, and who are decidely and rightly proud of their faith as represented by those who went before them, who travel with them, and who will come after them. I do not know of a single ecclesia in the Eastern or Oriental Communions - Catholic or Orthodox - which cannot point with pride to those of their persuasion who have served God.

But, as proud as each of us is of them, I think most of us are rightfully more than prepared to celebrate the earthly lives and eternal memory of those of any of our traditions who have contributed to the glory of God, the beauty of our temples, the wisdom of our faith and understanding without stopping to consider the omophor under which he or she did so.

I repeat my earlier question. "Is it important?" And, to it, I resoundingly answer "No!"

Memory eternal to the servant of God, Heiko.

Neil, who doubts that the Gatekeeper inquired as to Heiko's ecclesial affiliation