Icon Workshops - September 2023

Abbot Paul • May 23, 2023

1st Icon Workshop (Beginners to Intermediate)
11th to 16th September 2023. (11am Monday to 11am Saturday)

Painting an icon of the St Peter the apostle

 

2nd Icon Workshop (Intermediate to Advanced)
18th to 23rd September. (11am Monday to 11am Saturday)

Painting the tender icon of The Bridegroom

 

We offer two five-day workshops with an opportunity to learn and practice the art of writing icons, exploring the techniques and understanding of iconography. Each day will begin with a demonstration of the techniques to be used and the rest of the day is spent painting, with support and accompaniment. The designs will be applied to the board, and the colour layers built up to complete the icon.


The tutor is Dom Alex Echeandía Loro, a Peruvian monk and iconographer, who is coming over from Peru especially for this workshop. As well as being Prior of the Monasterio de Santa María de la Santísima Trinidad in Lurin, south of Lima, he works as an iconographer and has produced icons for a number of countries. This will be a welcome return for him to Belmont, to lead workshops as he did regularly before covid.


Practical Details

We hope to start work on new guesthouse accommodation later in the year. Meanwhile we only have limited accommodation at Belmont. However, we do have four small rooms available for men and women and are able to accommodate a limited number of men in the monastery. None of this accommodation is ensuite. We also arrange to collect people in the morning with return them in the evening to a recommended local hotel.

 

The cost for the teaching is £350 for each workshop, with a non-refundable deposit payable when booking. The price includes a gessoed icon board and pigments.

 

Other costs for the 5 days are: lunch £75 (Monday to Friday); supper £50 (Monday to Friday), accommodation at Belmont (Monday night to Saturday morning) £250, including continental breakfast.

 

Contact Fr Augustine for booking at retreats@belmontabbey.org.uk or telephone.01432 374750.


By Abbot Brendan Thomas November 18, 2025
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
November 15, 2025
XIII Latin American Monastic Meeting (EMLA)
November 11, 2025
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
November 11, 2025
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
November 11, 2025
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
By Abbot Paul November 8, 2025
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
November 8, 2025
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
By Abbot Brendan Thomas November 5, 2025
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas October 28, 2025
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas October 26, 2025
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.