Maria Athanasiou was born in Greece and now lives in East Northport, NY. She has received a certificate of design from Veloudakis Institute in Athens, Greece and now devotes her time to write and illustrate Christian Picture Books for children, to nourish the mind. Maria’s other works are:

Rejoice (2009 – Revised 2015)
The Amazing Life of Jesus Christ (2010)
The Virgin Mary Mother of God (2010)
Christ Is Risen (2012)

ORTHODOX ICONS
Maria Athanasiou

Since God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was born and became visible, we make Holy pictures of Him and His Saints. The Icon of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is the beginning of the icons, because this is when we first see God. Angels and animals, rich kings and poor shepherds, all creation rejoices that the Son of God is born, God the Father and the Holy Spirit are also in this icon. They are represented by the circle and the rays at the top.

Iconography is a picture language and a Liturgical Art. Every icon is like an open door to Paradise, through which we visit Jesus and His Saints in prayer. Icons were the first picture Bibles for those who could not read. The holy icons are silent, but attract the soul, whispering special messages, and keep the mind from wandering during prayer. While the icon is visible, the figure in the icon, is invisibly present. We venerate the icons attributing the glory to the prototype, and lighten candles to show our love and respect to God and His Saints. We worship only God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Creating sacred icons in a faithful manner with prayers, and fasting is a labor of love for God and His Church and a contribution to the preservation of Jesus, the Holy Trinity,  the All Holy Theotokos, the Saints, and the Ascetics.