Ancient Christian sacred art in the Byzantine-Russian tradition Labor-intensive process employing several dozen layers of thin milky glazes of egg-tempera paint, 24 karat gold leaf, and linseed oil sealant culminating in one to two months prayerful work for each icon. Material art-form developed to proclaim the spiritual reality of God's presence. Grace is not a cloak covering man, but rather the very Divine Life transforming from within. A liturgical art form: *symbol of divine realities. *worthy of veneration. *employed in worship. *instrument of union with God. *its form and creation is formal and objective.