In the coming months, Saint Hakob Church in Vardenis will be decorated with 11 paintings depicting the main themes of the Gospel. The series includes scenes of the Annunciation, Nativity, Baptism, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and miracles from the life of Christ.
The author of the paintings is Mikayel Harutyunyan, and most of the works in the series are already completed.
“Our churches and monasteries are not distinguished by the abundance of icons, as, for example, the Greek Orthodox Church is. Despite this circumstance, our church does not have any prohibitions or restrictions on the number of icons.”
Saint Hakob Church in Vardenis was renovated and re-consecrated in 2012, after which the Renaissance Foundation initiated the idea of presenting the life of Christ throughout the church.
“I can say the same about icons, although there are certain canonical principles established in our church, which it is desirable to maintain, but in this case there is no prohibition according to which one cannot depart from the traditional form.
This is evidenced by the famous painting ‘The Virgin and Child’ by Vardges Surenyants, where there are some deviations from the canon, but this image is consecrated and placed in the altars of many Armenian churches in Armenia and the world. The future icons of St. Jacob are distinguished by realism, which may seem a little different and new when compared with traditional icons.”
Although each painting is an independent work with its own hidden meanings and symbolic imagery, the artist views them as a unified whole. At the suggestion of the Renaissance Foundation, the series aims to convey the essence of Christianity, the mysteries of the earthly path of Jesus Christ and His invitation to humanity toward eternity.