Icons on Ammunition Boxes

by the Revd Charlotte Bannister-Parker

The idea of waiting and being drawn into an encounter with God is clearly an Advent theme. And icons are a mechanism that has been used for centuries to do exactly that. The use of images of Jesus and the saints and scenes from scriptures goes back to the very early stages of Christianity, at least to the second century AD, and was very popular. They were controversial from the beginning with many church fathers arguing against them -such as Tertullian, Origen and Clement.

In the 8th century the 'iconoclast' (icon-smashing) movement began in earnest within the church, resulting in violent conflicts for over a century before Empress Theodora reinstated them in 843. Dispute over the function of icons remained, and featured in the split of the Catholic Church from the Orthodox in 1054. Yet they remain a central part of Orthodox faith practice.

One interesting thing about an icon is that the artists 'write' them, not paint or draw them. This comes from the idea that icons were themselves writings, and intended not to look naturalistic but to convey spiritual truth

We are honoured to host an exhibition of icons painted on ammunition boxes in the Adam de Brome chapel. These Christian icons, painted on the top of wooden ammunitions crates discarded in the Russian war against Ukraine, are the creation of two artists, Oleksandr Klymenko and his wife Sofia Atlantova, his wife. They have travelled the depth and breadth of the country during wartime, in bombed out desert homes and devastated landscapes. Oleksandr says that this project is ‘not primarily about icons, not about war, it is primarily about humanity.’

The former Archbishop Rowan Williams said that “icons remind you that actual art, at its deepest, especially religious art, it’s not just decorative, there is an element of epiphany, a transformative realisation” behind them. So by looking attentively, contemplating and absorbing the images in these icons, one may find the divine spark which is at work somewhere in the artist’s creative purpose.

These icons may open a door to God – reminding us of His vision – that we can build places of safety and peace. Come visit over Christmas the Adam de Brome chapel, where you will see Jesus cradled in the arms of Mary looks like an old man rather than a child is typical – perhaps reflecting that He was born already 'grown, all-knowing, and ready to change the world' something to contemplate on as we await His arrival.

 A very blessed Christmas to all.