Russian Representative Participates in Iconography Congress Held in India

DECR – OCP News Service – 02/05/2025

Karjat, Maharashtra – India: At the invitation of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church, A.V. Zdanovich, a faculty member of the Iconography Department at the Moscow Theological Academy, represented the Russian Orthodox Church at the international congress “Christian Iconography in the Indian Context”, held from 27 to 29 April 2025 in Karjat, Maharashtra, India.

During the congress, Zdanovich delivered two scholarly presentations titled “Theological Reflection on the Formation of the Orthodox Icon in Russia” and “Studying Orthodox Iconography – The Russian Style.” Her talks offered insights into the origins, theological meaning, and distinctive features of the Russian iconographic tradition. On 30 April, she also conducted a hands-on workshop, demonstrating pigment preparation on glass and discussing the technical and spiritual aspects of icon painting.

The congress brought together over thirty speakers, including clergy, iconographers, and art historians from various Christian traditions. Topics ranged from the symbolism in Eastern Christian iconography to the stylistic distinctions of Russian, Greek, and Coptic icons. A key highlight was an in-depth presentation on the icon of the Holy Trinity by St. Andrei Rublev.

Participants also engaged in discussions on indigenous Christian art forms in India and their theological relevance, as well as broader doctrinal and cultural issues related to sacred art.

On 30 April, Zdanovich met with His Eminence Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, head of the Bombay Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, in Mumbai, concluding her visit.

Her participation was part of the efforts of the Joint Working Group on Bilateral Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, co-chaired by Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.

The congress was jointly organized by the charitable educational foundation “Detri” and the Department for External Church Relations of the Malankara Church. Organisers expressed hopes that the initiative will develop into a long-term platform for dialogue, education, and cooperation in the field of Christian iconography, particularly among Indian traditional artists.

Source:

OCP News Service