Icon of Saint Columba

The icon shows Saint Columba copying the Gospels in Latin and was painted for us by Sister Petra Clare.

An icon is a tradtional form of painting dating from the first converts to Christianity. It evolved from techniques used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. This icon, as icons often are, is painted on a wooden panel in egg tempera (a mixture of egg yolk, water, vinegar and dry powder colour). This lasts for a long time and keeps its colour well, and as the Church sees the icon as “a sign of the immortal kingdom of God” a long lasting technique is indeed needed.

If you would like to find out more about the writing of icons then look up Sister Petra Clare’s website by following the link: Sister Petra Clare’s