Jackson, California — September 7, 2026

On Monday, September 7, iconography classes began at Saint Sava Mission in Jackson, California, in the recently built Church of Saint George the Great Martyr. The classes are led by Bishop Maxim, assisted by Gabriela Matthews, and bring together twelve students: Father Marko, Zorica, Solomon, Jonah, Christopher, Vikki, Biljana, Jayden, Anna, Lori, Gabriella, and one additional participant.

On the first day, the students began working on gessoed panels, carefully transferring, drawing, and outlining the sacred images before the application of color begins. This year they are painting icons of Saint Nicholas, Saint Sava the Sanctified, and Saint Anastasia of Rome.

At the same time, the students—and observers who will join the program during the week—will have the special opportunity to witness the painting of the interior of Saint George Church. Bishop Maxim is beginning the wall iconography in the altar area with the Communion of the Holy Apostles, giving participants a rare opportunity to see how the principles of iconography move from the intimate scale of the portable icon to the larger sacred space of the church.

This makes the Jackson program a particularly unique experience: students are painting their own portable icons while simultaneously witnessing the creation of monumental church iconography. From the first outlines traced upon the gessoed panels to the images gradually taking form upon the sanctuary walls, the week offers an encounter with iconography as prayer, craft, theological vision, and the living tradition of the Church.