For All the Saints by Janet Lahr Lewis

When visiting the holy city of Bethlehem, most Christian pilgrims are not given time to do more than make a quick stop at the Church of the Nativity, the site where Jesus is thought to have been born, before being rushed back to wait in long lines at the military checkpoint near the entrance to Bethlehem. Sadly, they miss seeing the many other unique features of Bethlehem, including it’s greatest treasure, its people, for it is the people of Bethlehem who make the town so special. It is the people who have preserved Bethlehem’s Christian heritage for more than 2,000 years and who are themselves the descendants of the people we read about in the Bible. The Nativity story is a part of their combined family history. And, as such, it is appropriate that one of Bethlehem’s own continues to tell their story through his art.

Johnny Andonieh, purported to be Palestine’s only contemporary iconographer, became serious about his gift relatively late in life despite taking an interest in drawing at an early age. It was not until 1990, at the age of 33, that he began to learn about iconography from a local Greek Orthodox priest at the picturesque desert monastery of San Saba. In a place such as the West Bank, where the unemployment rate hovers near 25 percent, art is not considered to be a profitable profession. However, the painting of religious art is a much-treasured gift and is considered to be “from God.” To prepare to put brush to canvas or wood, Johnny spends much time in prayer and fasting. He studies the lives of the saints to try to capture their personalities so that he can rightly portray the unique qualities that brought them to spiritual greatness. Many of his personal favorites surround him in his home studio as though giving him divine inspiration.

What is the traditional understanding of icons for the church? What is the process Johnny uses to create an icon? To find out, read the full text of this article in the July/August 2010 issue of Horizons.

Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the July/August 2010 issue (HZN-10-230; $4 plus shipping).

Janet Lahr Lewis is the United Methodist Liaison in Israel and Palestine.

Illustration of St. George and the Dragon by Johnny Andonieh.

Other Articles Online This Issue

Deep Impact
The Christ We Know
Landscapes, Lectionary Drawings and Lampstands
For All the Saints
2010 Thank Offering Dedication Service
2010 Thank Offering Recipients
What One PW Is Doing (More Than Food)
Going in Circles (Eden's Eats)
Mosaic
Discernment (The Piper and the Reed)
Faithful Parenting (The Art of Parenting)


What is the traditional understanding of icons for the church? What is the process Johnny uses to create an icon? To find out, read the full text of this article in the July/August 2010 issue of Horizons. Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the July/August 2010 issue (HZN-10-230; $4 plus shipping).	For All the Saints by Janet Lahr Lewis When visiting the holy city of Bethlehem, most Christian pilgrims are not given time to do more than make a quick stop at the Church of the Nativity, the site where Jesus is thought to have been born, before being rushed back to wait in long lines at the military checkpoint near the entrance to Bethlehem. Sadly, they miss seeing the many other unique features of Bethlehem, including it’s greatest treasure, its people, for it is the people of Bethlehem who make the town so special. It is the people who have preserved Bethlehem’s Christian heritage for more than 2,000 years and who are themselves the descendants of the people we read about in the Bible. The Nativity story is a part of their combined family history. And, as such, it is appropriate that one of Bethlehem’s own continues to tell their story through his art. Johnny Andonieh, purported to be Palestine’s only contemporary iconographer, became serious about his gift relatively late in life despite taking an interest in drawing at an early age. It was not until 1990, at the age of 33, that he began to learn about iconography from a local Greek Orthodox priest at the picturesque desert monastery of San Saba. In a place such as the West Bank, where the unemployment rate hovers near 25 percent, art is not considered to be a profitable profession. However, the painting of religious art is a much-treasured gift and is considered to be “from God.” To prepare to put brush to canvas or wood, Johnny spends much time in prayer and fasting. He studies the lives of the saints to try to capture their personalities so that he can rightly portray the unique qualities that brought them to spiritual greatness. Many of his personal favorites surround him in his home studio as though giving him divine inspiration. What is the traditional understanding of icons for the church? What is the process Johnny uses to create an icon? To find out, read the full text of this article in the July/August 2010 issue of Horizons. Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the July/August 2010 issue (HZN-10-230; $4 plus shipping). Janet Lahr Lewis is the United Methodist Liaison in Israel and Palestine. Illustration of St. George and the Dragon by Johnny Andonieh. Other Articles Online This Issue Deep Impact The Christ We Know Landscapes, Lectionary Drawings and Lampstands For All the Saints 2010 Thank Offering Dedication Service 2010 Thank Offering Recipients What One PW Is Doing (More Than Food) Going in Circles (Eden's Eats) Mosaic Discernment (The Piper and the Reed) Faithful Parenting (The Art of Parenting)	Current Issue JULY/AUGUST 2010 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the July/August 2010 issue, HZN-10-230 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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