An Immersive Encounter with the Sacred
Step into a “cloud of witnesses” this summer at Mount Angel Abbey.
AGIOS: Communion of Saints is a landmark 2026 exhibition featuring a breathtaking collection of original icons. Created by the dedicated students of the Classical Iconography Institute, these works bridge the gap between ancient tradition and modern scholarship, proving that the study of religion is a vivid, transformative, and deeply aesthetic experience.
Whether you are a scholar of religion, an art lover, or a curious traveler, AGIOS invites you to explore the intersection of beauty and tradition. Experience how gold leaf, egg tempera, and ancient techniques can create a modern-day encounter with the holy.
June 13-August 2, 2026
Mount Angel Abbey Library
Visit mountangelabbey.org/library for hours. Parking and admission are free. The facility is ADA accessible.
CLOSING RECEPTION: AUGUST 2nd
Celebrate the culmination of a magnificent summer exhibition! The public is warmly invited to a special, free closing reception for Agios: A Communion of Saints:
Sunday, August 2, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Mount Angel Abbey Library entryway.
This is a wonderful opportunity to step inside the peaceful atmosphere of the Abbey, view the stunning collection of Byzantine-style icons, and meet the modern-day iconographers behind the sacred works.
Representatives from the Classical Iconography Institute will also be on hand to share more about their mission to preserve this ancient heritage and offer details on upcoming classes.
Meet the Unfamiliar:
Beyond the household names, discover a diverse array of saints from across history and the globe. Expand your “spiritual circle” by meeting the hidden figures who have shaped culture and faith in ways you never imagined.
Witness a Living Art:
Iconography is not a lost relic of the past. Learn how the Classical Iconography Institute is actively preserving this meticulous, prayerful craft, training a new generation of artists to keep this “window to the divine” open for the 21st century.
Rediscover the Icons:
See the saints you thought you knew through a fresh, scholarly lens. Our educational texts and curated audio guide offer deep dives into the symbolism, history, and theology behind every brushstroke.
Ancient Methods, Modern Hands:
Discover the fascinating world of the iconographer’s studio. From delicate layering of egg tempera to carefully inscriptions, see how today’s artists use the same processes as the iconographers of the Middle Ages to create icons for the 21st century.
LOCATION
Mount Angel Abbey: Library
1 Abbey Drive, Saint Benedict, Oregon 97373
SPECIAL EVENTS
Live Icon Painting
St. Benedict Festival | June 11 | 12-4PM
