I arrived early at his church on Thursday evening for the blessing of the six icons that I wrote (painted). Father Vladimir was already in his robe and had put the icons on a stand in the middle of the church. He did a liturgy in front of the icons, blessed them with holy water splattered on with a brush three times, and prayed over them naming each icon in the row.

He prayed that they would be used in ways that honor God. He prayed that they would bring miracles to those with needs. He said that any place that treated them with reverence would be a house of God—even though he would be happy to keep them in his church.

After the icons were blessed they were put along one wall of the church, where they became part of the service. He stopped and blessed each one with incense, when that was a normal part of the service and the light of candles flickered around them. (I even thought that several old women stopped to pray with the Mary.) I took a photograph after the service to show how they were arranged. (Ona painted the Gabriel during this year which is next to the Michael that I painted.)

He told me a number of times over the last week that I should keep painting. He said that he could see that my style was in line with what is known as the naive style. (He already told me I could apply to the Moscow Seminary to continue my learning.) I gave him a book of photographs from St. Catherine in Sinai and he gave me a book of all the Orthodox Churches in Lithuania. He told me that it had been a joy for him to meet with me every week for the last year.

This experience has truly been a gift for me. If you want to see images of all the finished icons you can go to the previous blog.

I also want to thank Jim Forest, the author of Praying with Icons which I recommend for those of you who want to learn more about icons. He encouraged my painting of Maximilian and introduced me to St. Maria of Paris.

I suggest you visit the website of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship http://www.incommunion.org/ for more information about these saints.

To celebrate Ona and Vika took me to a worship service at a Catholic Church out in the countryside, which is usually packed to overflowing. Click on the image to see more of that trip.

I expect to continue painting as part of my spiritual discipline when I return to the US. Check back on my progress.

Maximilian, 4th century martyr

Maria Skobtsova, 20th century martyr, St. Maria of Paris

Virgin of the Sign, based on 12th century icon

Virgin of the Sign, with full gold background. (This one is a gift for my translator of the last year.)

The Ascension, based on a 12th century Syrian icon.

Archangel Michael, based on an icon by Rublev.

Along the main walkway to the sea, were massive eggs still on display from Easter. A few fisherman were braving the cold but nothing like during the warmer months. We also got to see some dancers and shot a few photos of the large church that is right next to the bus station. Click on the photo to see more.

On Saturday, I went to the old market and bought my 12th pair of wool socks and a few of the eggs.

Sunday was a big celebration. In the afternoon we walked through the forest to the seacoast at Melnrage. Many people were searching from amber along shoreline. Click here to see more.

On Monday, a holiday here, I went with a group to Rumšiškės, an ethnographic museum. There was dancing, music and a variety of egg games. Click on the image to see more.

I started two versions of The Virgin of the Sign”, which is about the first incarnation. These are now at the stage where I will sit with them for a while before understanding what all must be done yet.

Maximilian and Maria Skobtsova are nearing completion. I added the text in Greek and Russian this week.

My time with Father Vladimir is just about over. I will miss this regular time of learning.

It rained the first evening we were there and the best part of another day. The lights on the wet pavement fascinated me so I had to keep shooting without getting the camera too wet. Night time was a great time to also roam the streets seeing what the lights would highlight. I was fascinated by the chestnut roasters, the little markets in the piazzas and the crowds of people checking out the action. Click here to see the dark and wet images.

We walked along the Apian Way, visited Ostia Antica (the old port city of Rome) and of course took in the Coliseum. Click here to see just a few images.

Of course what we came to Rome to see were the churches and the art. The mosaics were amazing. I was fascinated by the detail and how the light reflected off of them. I took hundreds of photos but only put a few up here to represent the art and the many churches that we visited. We did see a Caravaggio 400th anniversary exhibit, which was absolutely amazing, as well as spending a day in the Vatican museums. There is no way to adequately show in a photograph the experience of seeing these artistic pieces. I included one Michelangelo and one Raphael to represent two other masters that we able to see many pieces of their fantastic work. Click here to see a small sample.

I have also been painting on the icons more than 10 hours a week. My latest two are St. Maria Skobtsova, a nun who was killed at Ravensbruck during the Holocaust. She had been harboring Jews in her house. The other is Maximilian a 3rd century conscientious objector to war. I hope to have these finished in a few more weeks.

I did leave the apartment and shot some photos of the melt on Sunday afternoon. Click on the photo to see more.

I have spent most of my spare time the last few weeks painting on my icons. I have four in progress now. Look for an update soon.

I am finishing the first icon, Archangel Michael, and working on my second. Here I am at the place in our apartment where I do all of my painting. Click on the image to see more.

I took everyone to see the art nouveau buildings, but the photographic opportunities were limited due to falling snow and very little light. The National Opera House had a light show every evening shining on the front of the building and everywhere you looked there were Christmas lights. Click here to see more of Riga in the winter.