The writing of an icon is a contemplative practice. As an icon is used as a tool for worship, the process by which it is created is ritualistic. As such, before an icon is written, the artist prays and recalls the rules of writing an icon. They are as follows:
Prayer Before Writing an Icon
Glory to Thee O God, Glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
Who art everywhere present and fillest all things,
Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life,
come and abide in us,
and cleanse us from every impurity,
and save our souls,
O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
Lord, cleanse us of our sins.
Master, pardon our iniquities.
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name's sake.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
O Divine Lord of all that exists, You have illuminated the Apostle and Evangelist Luke with Your Most Holy Spirit, thereby enabling him to represent the Most Holy Mother, the one who held You in her arms and said: The Grace of Him Who has been born of me is spread throughout the world. Enlighten and direct our souls, our hearts, and our spirits. Guide the hands of your unworthy servant so that we may worthily and perfectly portray Your Icon, that of Your Holy Mother, and of all the saints, for the glory, joy, and adornment of Your Holy Church.
Forigve our sins and the sins of those who will venerate these icons, and who, standing devoutly before them, give homage to those they represent. Protect them from all evil and instruct them with good counsel. This we ask through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Apostle Luke, and all the saints, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Rules for the Icon Painter
1. Before starting work, make the sign of the Cross; Pray in silence, & pardon your enemies.
2. Work with care on every detail of your ikon, as if you were working in front of the Lord Himself.
3. During work, pray in order to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually; avoid above all useless words and keep silence.
4. Pray in particular to the Saint whose face you are painting. Keep your mind from distractions, and the Saint will be close to you.
5. When you have to choose a color, stretch out your hands interiorly to the Lord & ask his counsel.
6. Do not be jealous of your neighbor's work; his success is your success too.
7. When your ikon is finished, thank God that His Mercy granted you the grace to paint the Holy Images.
8. Have your ikon blessed by putting it on the altar. Be the first to pray before it, before giving it to others
9. Never forget: The joy of spreading ikons in the world. the joy of the work of ikon-painting The joy of giving the Saint the possibility to shine through his ikon. The joy of being in union with the Saint whose face you are painting. (Unknown Origin)
