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The Ibillin Project-An Iconostasis for Peace by Sr. Bernadette Crook RSHM

Some of you may remember that on Saturday 29th September 2007 Archbishop Elias Chacour, the Melkite Archbishop of Galilee visited Westminster Cathedral and spoke inspirationally about being an Arab working for peace among Christians, Muslims, Jews and Druzes in Israel.

I was at his talk, sponsored by 'Aid to the Church in Need' but it was not my first encounter with the Archbishop. This had taken place in 2003 at dawn on Sunday 23rd November as we arrival in Ibillin. I had traveled to Tel Aviv with a companion to represent the British Association of Iconographers founded by Sister Esther of Turvey Abbey, Bedford. The Association had been approached by one of its members, Audrey Porkson, about the possibility of painting Icons, for a new Melkite Church in Ibillin. Audrey had over 20 years involvement with the Community in Ibillin, initially as a British Council teacher and then from a deeper understanding of the spirituality behind the work of Father Elias, as he sought for peace and harmony in his troubled land.

After a warm welcome Abuna Elias took us, his BAI visitors, on a tour of the Mar Elias schools that ended with a visit to the boat shaped church, then still under construction, that faces Mount Carmel. Our focus soon turned to the base of the massive piers of the dome, ten meters apart, between the nave and the sanctuary where in Eastern churches the Iconostasis is sited. A whole iconostasis! The prospect was an awesome challenge. At once we realized there was an urgency to take measurements, to draw up plans and to make decisions. During the days that followed our plan for the iconostasis, its material, its structure and the subjects of its many icons dear to Fr. Elias heart, were discussed with all concerned and agreed with Fr. Elias before our departure.

In Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches the principal icons are placed on the iconostasis, a screen between the nave and the sanctuary. The icons are arranged in tiers. The first tier icons are: Jesus Christ Son of God, Saviour, The Mother of God, John the Forerunner, whoever is the patron Saint of the Church, in this case the Prophet Elias, Archangels, and sometimes also Peter and Paul. In the centre of the screen are the Royal Doors where the Annunciation, the moment of Christ's Incarnation, is symbolically positioned at the entry to the sanctuary, together with images of the four evangelists because it is through them that we enter the life of Christ. Above the main tier is a second tier made up of icons of the principal feasts and events of Christ's life celebrated throughout the Church's year. Five members of the BAI had already volunteered to paint a number of these festal icons so their size was predetermined as our plans were being drawn up.

On the level of the festal icons above the Royal Doors is placed an icon of the Mystical Supper that reflects what actually takes place in the sanctuary during the sacred liturgy. Above the Mystical Supper are the Deises icons. These picture, Christ on his throne in Glory; at either side facing the heavenly throne stand, The Mother of God and John the Baptist with their hands held up in the orans position of prayer interceding for all present. These three icons together with icons of the twelve apostles in glory, to right and left, form a third tier. Taken together, the iconostasis icons give access to and draw the faithful into the whole mystery of the Incarnation and Redemption. We were indeed faced with an awesome challenge. Our icons were to become an essential part of each Sacred Liturgy held in this new Galilean church. (A full account of the Iconostasis Project appears in 'Rooted in Galilee" details below.)

Once back in England, I was asked to coordinate the Ibillin project. The thought of doing so was very exciting. I had just retired from being responsible for a community of sisters so was free to become involved. From small beginnings I watched the project grow through the work of willing volunteers from many Christian denominations, Anglican, Catholic and Methodist. I saw it expand far beyond our initial expectations into a link between Christians in the United Kingdom with those in the Holy Land. I saw how the sacred Festal images moulded those who painted them. Also, on my many trips to Galilee to deliver finished icons, I saw how the images were received and held in reverence by Arab Christians. They prayed before them and sought God's strength through them. I became all too aware of how our efforts, inspired by Elias Chacour, now Archbishop of 76,000 Melkite Christians in Galilee, were helping to support a Christian community in need of heroic spiritual strength and endurance. Was it not for this reason that Benedict XVI so recently visited Nazareth? So I ask, is it not appropriate that in the Land of Christ's ministry, a beacon of hope and reconciliation is being created, led by another "Man of Galilee" the present Sayyedna Elias Chacour of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and all Galilee?

Meditation and painting with icons The Rev. George Fryer (retired) from the Tackley group has been asked to help organise a day of contemplation, for the Deddington deanery, with some practical studies on icons at Offa House in Offchurch, Leamington Spa, early next year. If successful he is hoping to run more.