‘To do this kind of artwork, you have to believe in God’
After leaks damaged Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, artist returns to fix paintings
Twenty-four years after painting religious artwork for Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, Serbian artist Dragomir Djekic came back to restore the work to its original glory.
Djekic was part of the team that installed the iconography in 1997. He said the Byzantine art pieces were painted in his studio in Europe with a team of artists. Each piece took two to three weeks to paint on canvas with acrylic and was then transported to the church.
Some of the iconographies were painted on the walls, such as ones on the dome, since it is curved, Djekic said.
“You can’t tell the difference. Eighty percent of the pieces are on canvas,” he said. “To install them, that took three weeks and we had to come a few more times.”
Walking into the church is like walking into an art museum, the way the iconography is plastered all around the walls. Every piece is unique and detailed in its own way in telling the story of Jesus Christ.
All of the works were donated by members of the church, according to Djekic. Some people specifically wanted to donate pieces entitled “Virgin Mary” or “Jesus being Born,” he said.
Father Kosmas Karavellas has been the priest for 35 years and has been at the church since it was built and painted. He said leaks started about seven years ago, but they weren’t apparent until 2019. Karavellas said the water wasn’t gushing in but was dripping constantly.
The restoration, which was completed last month, took Djekic 21 days because of the leaks. He installed new drywall before working on the paintings. He said the artwork that was on canvas held up better against the leaks, compared with the artwork painted on the walls.
“You can’t even tell that I fix them, but there are some sentimental feelings coming back after so long,” he said.
Djekic said he doesn’t think he will have to come back in another 20 years for repairs, although it depends on how the church takes care of the wall.
Karavellas said with the weather in this area, it is possible they will need another
restoration, but the church has to stay more vigilant.
“It is a great feeling to have them looking good again, but I thought I was the only one that noticed all the leaks,” Karavellas said.
Karavellas said it was expensive to bring Djekic to do the restoration and he had to get everyone on church’s board to see the damage.
“The amount of work and detail and the
artistic resolve of Djekic shows members how beautiful it is again,” he said. “These iconography are part of our worship and a visual aide to the Scriptures.”
This artwork is common in European churches and Djekic said he has painted this style in many places in America and overseas.
“To do this kind of artwork, you have to believe in God and love it,” he said.