Sister Marie-Paul Farran, O.S.B., Iconographer

Photo © Joel Fishman, courtesy of Catholic Near East magazine

Biographical Information:
Near the summit of the Mount of Olives, overlooking Temple Mount in the heart of ancient Jerusalem, is a small convent of French-speaking Benedictine nuns. They are self-supporting like all Benedictine communities. Their work is of two kinds; they provide room and board for young girls who attend convent schools in Jerusalem and they write beautiful icons.

Their master iconographer is Sister Marie-Paul, born in Egypt of Palestinian and Italian descent. She paints in the Byzantine style, following faithfully the ancient patterns and colors. The other nuns in her community help with the less exacting parts of the work, preparing wood panels and applying gold leaf.

Sister Marie-Paul’s icons may be found in churches and individual collections all over the world. Copyrights have been assigned to Editions Choisir of Geneva, Switzerland and the Printery House is pleased to be the exclusive printer and distributor for reproductions in the USA.

For those who read French and would like more information about Sister Marie-Paul and her community, visit the excellent Choisir website.

Examples of this artist's work: