†David Christopher Bellville is an iconographer, priest, and pastoral psychotherapist. Writing icons since 1995 (the term “writing” refers to the notion of expressing scripture or the Word in images), his principle teachers have been Rebecca Taylor and Phillip Zimmerman. In January of 2000, Jim Thatcher of the Maine Times reviewed David’s work at an exhibit of 22 artists at the Eastland Gallery. He wrote, “The icons—to my eye some of the most beautiful and definitely the most striking of the works here by David Christopher Bellville...would alone be worth a visit to this gallery.” †David has written icons for individuals and churches. Vicar of the Church of the Good Samaritan he has a small, private counseling practice as well as his vocation as an iconographer.
Iconography is a sacred art that involves prayer, meditation, and patience. Nourished by the spiritual reality to which it gives visual expression, most of the icons that †David Christopher has written are based on ancient prototypes that represent scriptural and historical truths of the Judeo-Christian tradition. An icon has been described as a “window to the eternal,” a vehicle or means by which persons can make the vital connection with God’s grace and the heavenly host. Icons can take a week or more of full-time work to create. During the process the iconographer prays that God will help him or her represent the grace and presence of God to the best of his or her ability. The movement of the painting process is from dark to light, expressing the light of God that comes into the world. Icons are used in prayer, worship and meditation at the Church of the Good Samaritan. Our retreats usually have icons present. When people meditate with icons, they wait for God to communicate presence and truth through gazing at the icon. The icon is not something to be worshipped; it is a vehicle for prayer...a praying with eyes wide open.
Iconography is a sacred art that involves prayer, meditation, and patience. Nourished by the spiritual reality to which it gives visual expression, most of the icons that †David Christopher has written are based on ancient prototypes that represent scriptural and historical truths of the Judeo-Christian tradition. An icon has been described as a “window to the eternal,” a vehicle or means by which persons can make the vital connection with God’s grace and the heavenly host. Icons can take a week or more of full-time work to create. During the process the iconographer prays that God will help him or her represent the grace and presence of God to the best of his or her ability. The movement of the painting process is from dark to light, expressing the light of God that comes into the world. Icons are used in prayer, worship and meditation at the Church of the Good Samaritan. Our retreats usually have icons present. When people meditate with icons, they wait for God to communicate presence and truth through gazing at the icon. The icon is not something to be worshipped; it is a vehicle for prayer...a praying with eyes wide open.
The icon calendars that are for sale by the church are of very high quality. The printing is on photo quality cardstock. The icons were created by †David Christopher. These images are copyrighted, and may not be reproduced without permission from †David Christopher Bellville.
Icon Calendars
The Iconographer and His Work
Church of the Good Samaritan
Iconography
The Church of the Good Samaritan is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible. If you wish to donate, please
send your check to: Church of the Good Samaritan
9
Cleaveland St
Brunswick,
ME 04011-2109