American iconographer writing icons for Muscovite parish

(OCA-DOW) - A parishioner of Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles named Marina Smetanina has been engaged to write icons for Saint Seraphim Church near Moscow. The church is located in the village of Uvarovka in the western part of the Moscow region, not far from the site of the famous Battle of Borodino against Napoleon in 1812. Until several years ago the poor village did not have a single Orthodox church. Once begun, construction of the temple encountered many difficulties. Twice work was begun on it, and twice thieves and vandals burned the wooden structure down. With God's help, however, Uvarovka’s persistent villagers then decided to build in stone. Although construction is still ongoing, the temple has now become secure and divine services are already in their third year.

Marina Smetanina has been painting icons in a traditional manner for many years. Several recently executed icons of hers are kept at her parish of Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, she travelled to Russia to begin work on the iconostasis of Saint Seraphim Church. Once that is complete, she will continue with other painting commissions associated with the temple. She has also been asked to consider writing icons for other churches in the area, though she will need to balance these with commissions she receives in Los Angeles and the Diocese of the West generally.

Photos of Saint Seraphim Church and Marina’s iconography in it may be found at the website of Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral: www.hvmla.org. Any one wishing to contact her may do so through the cathedral’s website.

Please keep Marina and the parish of the Church of St. Seraphim in Uvarovka, Russia, in your prayers!