Our Institute has commissioned a new icon from UK-based internationally-renowned iconographer and Research Associate of IOCS, Aidan Hart (https://aidanharticons.com/) to mark the 25th anniversary of IOCS, Cambridge. Aidan has had over 40 years of experience in the field of iconography, having published and taught on the theme both from a theoretical/theological perspective, but also from a practical perspective.
The icon IOCS has commissioned – which has just been finished in early June 2024 – represents Christ the Teacher, with a few ‘personalised’ elements to reflect our Institute’s unique ethos and location. Thus, the book held by Christ in the icon shows the verse: ‘That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe you sent me.’ This verse reflects the Institute’s vocation towards the unity and communion of the Church, both on the pan-Orthodox level as well as on the ecumenical one.
The icon also depicts in the background the Cambridge University Library as a symbol of the scholarship that lies at the heart of our Institute’s activity (right hand-side), as well as a fragment of the old Wesley House college (currently Jesus College) which is where the Institute started its mission 25 years ago (left hand-side).
The finished Icon can be seen below:
The Institute has so far raised £4,110 from several donors towards the cost of the icon’s production, but we still need to raise another £1,900.
We thus continue to appeal to you, our friends, alumni and supporters to help us cover the cost of this unique project! Any donation amount is greatly needed and appreciated, and all donors will receive updates as the project progresses.
Donors who contribute to the icon fund will receive a high-quality print of the icon, once the project is finished.