Work is rapidly moving forward on wall paintings on the North and South walls of our beloved church. Apostle Andrew, Emperor Constantine the Great, Cuthbert the Wonderworker, Luke of Simferopol, Oswald the King and Martyr and Alban the Protomartyr of Britain are now nearly complete.
A few weeks ago world renowned Iconographer Aidan Hart and James Blackstone began work on new wall paintings on the North and South walls of the historic, Grade II* Listed church of the Holy Fathers of Nicaea in Shrewsbury.
The work on the saints on the South wall has moved on rapidly and is now nearly complete. Below are some photographs of the completed works on some of the saints of the South wall.
For details of the full list of saints please the blog post Historic church in Shrewsbury welcomes diverse new and holy residents
The completed saints
Apostles and Equal to the Apostles
Andrew the Apostle († 60) called first by Christ. Commemorated 30 November.
Constantine the Great († 337), proclaimed Emperor in York. He also legalised Christianity in the Roman Empire in the Edict of Milan. He called the First Œcumenical council in 325. Commemorated 21 May.
Great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers
Cuthbert († 687), enlightener of northern England and wonderworker who was called out of the life of a hermit by the king of Northemberland for archpastoral duties. He was consecrated by Theodore of Tarsus. He led his diocese by caring for the sick, distributing alms, working the many miracles that earned him the title of Wonder-worker of Britain. Commemorated on March 20.
Luke of Simferopol († 1961) in the Crimea a physician and Archbishop. An outstanding surgeon who suffered persecution under the Bolshevik regime and is now an amazing wonderworker. Commemorated on 11 June.
Martyrs
Alban († 254), soldier and first martyr of Britain, who gave himself up for martyrdom in place of a priest who he sheltered from persecution.
Oswald of Northumbria († 642) who was killed by the Mercians at the Battle of Maserfield, in Oswestry in Shropshire named after Oswalds Tree where a raven dropped the arm of his dismembered body. Commemorated 5 August.
Support this project
Completing the iconography in the church is an ongoing project. We will be continuing to paint icons in the church as is fitting for Orthodox worship over a number of years. The visitor to an Orthodox church, on stepping inside, should ideally feel transported into a new world, one that affirms in the most forceful way that the beauty of God’s creation is a manifestation of His glory and His love for mankind. The iconography that traditionally adorns the interior of an Orthodox church plays a major role in this affirmation.
We are deeply grateful for the donations we have received towards the project so far. If you would like to help there are still opportunities to contribute. Please visit our donations page which provides details of how to give.