Further reading
On Coptipedia, the Coptic encyclopedia (in French)
Certificate of authenticity
Delivered with your artwork
Your hand-painted icon comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Armia Elkatcha. It identifies your artwork, its dimensions, its number and its completion date.
- Artist
- Armia Elkatcha
- Artwork
- Saint Moses the Black and his spiritual father Abba Isidore
- Dimensions
- 90 × 130 cm
- Certificate number
- Assigned to your completed artwork
- Completion date
- Recorded upon completion
Armia Elkatcha’s signature
Signed by the artist on the certificate delivered with the artwork
Apostles, martyrs and saints
Saint Moses the Black and his spiritual father Abba Isidore
Unique and personalized icon by Armia Elkatcha. Size to choose. Be careful, the smaller the icon, the less detail the artist can insert into it. The photo corresponds to size XL.
Prices include French VAT at 5.5%
Hand-painted on request · Delivered in 2 to 4 months · Free delivery
'Do not be afraid, for there are more on our side than on theirs.'
2 Kings 6:16
Saint Moses the Black, also called Moses the Ethiopian (4th century), was first a slave and then a feared leader of robbers. Once converted, he became a monk in the desert of Scetis (Wadi Natrun), where he was guided by Abba Isidore. The Sayings of the Desert Fathers tell that one day, tormented by temptation, Moses came to Isidore. The old man took him up on the roof and told him to look west: he saw a crowd of restless demons. Then he told him to look east: he saw a far greater crowd of glorious angels. Isidore explained that those who fight on our side are more numerous than those who fight against us. Moses became a model of humility, was ordained a priest and died a martyr, killed by Berber raiders around 407. The Coptic Church celebrates him on 24 Paoni (1 July).
References: 2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 34 (33):7; Hebrews 1:14; Ephesians 6:12.
Studio journal
From preparing the support to the final details: the usual stages of a hand-painted icon.
Prepare the wood
The wooden support is prepared to receive the drawing, gold leaf and paint.
Draw the composition
The scene, figures and symbols are arranged according to the chosen representation and size.
Apply the gold leaf
Gilding brings light to the background and halos, in the tradition of the Coptic icon.
Paint the icon
Colours, garments and faces are painted by hand. The level of detail is adapted to the size of the artwork.
Finish and authenticate
The final details and finishing touches are completed. The artist signs the certificate bearing the artwork’s number and date.
