I honor and revere the Byzantine icons and the profound spirituality of the Othodox churches. I try to bring true devotion and prayer into the process of writing an icon, dependent upon the inspiration of the Blessed Trinity, the saints, holy ones, and the Mother of God. As a Roman Catholic iconographer, I have no intention of assuming to be Orthodox, but continue to pray with many others, for unity brought about by the Spirit, amongst the churches.

This year 2012, begins my 22nd year as an Iconographer and I am very grateful for the tremendous support from around the World. The great bulk of Icons are commissions from individuals, families and Churches. I have been looking at Icons from all ages and times in books I've found and ones given to me. They range from the most ancient with the muted colors age has bestowed on them to two fascinating books of Siberian icons with brilliant hues, almost singular in the world of icons as these icons have retained their vivid colors; so I learn something new from every one. Every once in awhile I stop and copy an icon I've been longing to give you, such as the new Christ Emmanuel I just finished this Christmas Season. The Christ Emmanuel is the center of a Deesis from 13th century Russia.

Abundant blessings,
Fr Bill McNichols