[Kolokotronis]

There is something else one needs to know about writing icons and that is that it is done only with the proper spiritual preparation and then with prayer and fasting. It is in the Eastern Church almost sacramental, like for example making the Prophoron for the Divine Liturgy only more so. Not everyone is spiritually capable of writing icons. Its a great spiritual gift.

[annalex]

In fact, there is an opinion, — extreme and inaccurate, to be sure, but it exists among some Russian iconogrpahers, that writing icons is in itself a Holy Mystery.

[big'ol_freeper]

My most treasured.