Writing a Byzantine icon is a sacred process, steeped in spirituality and tradition, handed down from generation to generation for centuries. Icon writing is not simply an artistic activity, but rather a form of prayer in action, where every gesture and every colour has a profound meaning linked to the Orthodox Christian faith.

The process begins by preparing the board on which the icon will be painted. Traditionally, this board is made of wood, symbolising the materiality of creation and recalling the incarnate Christ. The board is often covered with several layers of gesso, a preparation made from animal glue and chalk, which creates a smooth, absorbent surface for the paint.

The first step in writing the icon is to draw the model, usually freehand or using layers. The proportions and positions of the figures are governed by strict rules, often based on iconographic canons established over the centuries. Every detail has a theological and spiritual significance, reflecting the Orthodox understanding of the faith.

Once the drawing is complete, the painting process begins. The pigments used are often of mineral or natural origin, and the colours have symbolic meanings. For example, blue is associated with divinity and heaven, red with sacrifice and life, and green with eternal life. Each brushstroke is made with a prayerful intention, each shade carrying a theological message.

The writing of the icon also involves the application of gold or silver leaf, called "gilding", to represent the divine light. The gilding process is a delicate act that symbolises the presence of the divine in the icon. The gold leaves are applied with a special glue, then gently polished to create a luminous effect that draws the viewer's attention to the most sacred parts of the icon.

The final stage in the writing of the icon is the "blessing", where the priest or artist invokes the divine presence over the finished work. This is a moment of consecration, when the icon becomes a meeting place between the divine and the human. Once blessed, the icon is ready to be used in personal prayer, in churches or among the Orthodox faithful.

Writing a Byzantine icon is a complex process, combining artistic technique and deep spirituality. Each icon tells a story of faith, transmitting the teachings of the Orthodox Church and inviting believers to a deeper meditation on the divine presence in their lives. It is an artistic and spiritual legacy that spans the centuries, bearing witness to the richness of the Orthodox Christian tradition.