Within the teachings and arts of the Orthodox Church we sometimes hear a suspicion about creativity. To some ears, the words “creative” and “new,” sound opposed to “Tradition” which is unchanging. In his art and his writings, world-renowned iconographer Dr. George Kordis demonstrates compellingly how tradition has always been not only creative, but in a fruitful relationship with secular culture.

Hear Dr. Kordis speak to “Tradition as Creativity ” during a free, online public lecture Thursday evening, April 7. The talk, hosted by St. Vladimir's Seminary's Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA), will begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT/4:30 p.m. PDT. 

Watch the Replay

Dr. Kordis is currently residing, working, and teaching at St. Vladimir’s campus in Yonkers as ISA's inaugural artist in residence for the spring 2022 semester. The annual artists-in-residence program is part of the Seminary’s Master of Arts degree concentration in Sacred Arts. 

ABOUT DR GEORGE KORDIS
Eminent iconographer George Kordis has the rare distinction for a practicing artist of a complete academic training in theology, with advanced theological degrees from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston and the University of Athens, where he was assistant professor in iconography (theory and practice). His training as a painter preceded and motivated his move into theology: During the 1980s he worked with the Cypriot master iconographer, Fr. Symeon Symeou, and also studied painting at The School of Fine Arts at The Museum of Boston from 1987–89; and even while obtaining his doctorate (Athens) in 1991 he continued his studies in painting and engraving under Fotis Mastichiadis. Dr. Kordis has been a visiting professor teaching icon painting courses at Yale University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Bucharest/Department of Orthodox Theology, and Ukraine Pedagogical University, Odessa, while continuing to create major church programs of iconography—including several in the US (see Holy Trinity in Columbia, SC and, recently, Holy Trinity in Pittsburgh and panel icons, which have been seen in numerous prominent exhibitions at Yale University and elsewhere). Kordis is also a prolific author with wide-ranging interests: theory and practice of Orthodox iconography, Fayum mummy portraits, Theophan the Cretan, Andrei Rublev, Fotis Kontoglou, Greek folk art, and many other topics.

Read his full CV and explore his expansive work.