2025 Summer Iconography Retreat – Beginning Level III

Join us for the Iconography Retreat at Mount Angel Abbey where advanced students will prayerfully transform a blank gessoed icon board to an icon of Christ Pantocrator (Ruler of All).  This class is open to students who have completed Beginning Iconography Levels II. Beginning Iconography Level III is the next step in acquiring skills required to create the second element of a three-piece Deisis for your personal home altar.  (Theotokos, Pantocrator & St. John the Baptist)

This class instructs on the bust figure icon of Christ typically found in the apse of a Byzantine or Orthodox Church and focuses on the acquisition of following skills:  how to execute garments specific to Christ, the blessing hand gesture, the Gospel book with inverse perspective and the highlighting technique of gold assist. As with our other Beginning level classes, students will prepare the icon board, transfer the image, draw in the Byzantine style, gild, and paint in egg tempera, while learning the theology of the icon, offered in a quiet, contemplative environment conducive to meditative prayer.

Please inquire if you wish to extend your stay.

Saint Benedict Guesthouse & Retreat Center

The guesthouse offers an Adoration Chapel, library, and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating intentionally designed to showcase the beautiful views of the Abbey’s expansive natural environs. Take a “Stations of the Cross” walk and stop at each of the 14 wayside chapels carved in the Germanic tradition over one hundred years ago.

Click here to learn more by reading Mount Angel’s description of the guesthouse.

Common areas of the guesthouse are air-conditioned, but the guest rooms are not.

While our summer in July is typically temperate, if you require air conditioning, you may wish to choose Option C for Commuters which includes only instruction and meals.  Commuters are responsible for securing alternate housing locally.  

Choose From Residential or Commuter Package

PLEASE NOTE:  The Guesthouse chef can accommodate a variety of food sensitivities; gluten free options are always offered.  Please feel free to let us know your dietary restrictions in advance and we will do our very best to make your meals pleasurable.

Residential Package A – Single Occupancy

1. Iconography Course instruction & activities from Monday evening to Saturday’s Icon Blessing.
2. Guesthouse: offers a queen bed and private bath with shower in upscale, retreat style lodging, with access to adoration chapel and library. (Please note, there is no in-room air conditioning.)
3. Meal Plan (15 meals)

1. • Monday:  dinner
   • Tuesday – Friday:  Breakfast, lunch & dinner
   • Saturday:  Breakfast & lunch (dinner may be purchased separately for $25)

Residential Package B – Double Occupancy

1. Iconography Course instruction & activities from Monday evening to Saturday’s Icon Blessing.
2. Guesthouse: offers a queen bed and private bath with shower in upscale, retreat style lodging, with access to adoration chapel and library. (Please note, there is no in-room air conditioning.)
3. Meal Plan (15 meals)

1. • Monday:  dinner
   • Tuesday – Friday:  Breakfast, lunch & dinner
   • Saturday:  Breakfast & lunch (dinner may be purchased separately for $25)

Commuter Package C –  You Secure Housing

1. Iconography Course instruction & activities from Monday evening to Saturday’s Icon Blessing.
2. Meal Plan (15 meals)
   1. • Monday:  dinner
      • Tuesday – Friday:  Breakfast, lunch & dinner
      • Saturday:  Breakfast & lunch (dinner may be purchased separately for $25)

   ALTERNATE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR COMMUTERS

• The Oregon Garden Resort
• Silverton Inn and Suites
• Visit AirBnB and search for Mount Angel and/or Silverton