By Georgiana Francisco | Correspondent

“I’ve become an ‘accidental missionary’ through my work with icons, something I never would have imagined,” said Nadine Haines, iconographer and member of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford.

Haines, whose parish will host an icon writing workshop Sept. 9, said she had no idea that iconography would become a tool for evangelization, but that she is now asked to speak before various church groups, bringing her icons for display.

“Icons instruct and present what we may already know about our faith and the Gospel,” she says, “but from a new and different perspective.”

Haines will be joining forces with master iconographer Dmitri Andreyev of the Prosopon School of Iconography to bring the workshop to the parish. It will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop is required for beginners. Daily classes will run from Sept. 11 to 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning with daily Mass.

Students will have the opportunity to create a Byzantine-style sacred icon using natural materials with the focus being on the writer’s spiritual growth through prayer, lectures and the practice of the ancient technique of iconography. Artistic experience is helpful, though not necessary, as icon “writing” is a form of contemplative prayer as well as an artistic practice.

Andreyev is among those helping to preserve and teach the spiritual journey of writing icons. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Andreyev came to the United States in 1991 to study traditional iconography with his father, Vladislav Andrejev, founder of the Prosopon School. He and Haines, have been offering weeklong classes on writing icons and creating a profound spiritual journey for those who attend.

“I started writing icons by accident in 2005 while on a leave of absence from practicing law,” Haines explained.  “My mother thought I might enjoy a class taught by a colleague’s wife.  At the time, I had no knowledge about icons, but quickly fell in love with their beauty and mystery, and have continued to study under master iconographers from the Prosopon School of Iconography.

“The techniques practiced in iconography are different from other art forms as are the materials used,” said Haines, who also teaches private iconography lessons in her home studio. “The paint is not store bought. Rather, this ancient technique uses natural materials, including wood, clay, gold, and pigments ground from minerals that have been mixed with a binding emulsion made from egg yolks and wine.”

Tuition is $450.  To register, send a nonrefundable deposit of $150, to be applied toward tuition, by Aug. 15. (A minimum of 10 students is necessary to hold the workshop.) Make checks payable to Nadine Haines/icon workshop coordinator and mail with contact information to Nadine Haines, 16 Pendleton Court, Medford, NJ 08055.

*Deposit will be fully refunded if workshop is cancelled.

For more information, send email to [email protected].