Icons, from the Greek word “eikon” meaning “image” are an ancient Christian tradition aimed at communicating the Gospel visually, dating from the time of the Apostles.
Most commonly painted with natural pigments on wooden panels, icons depict Jesus Christ, saints or biblical historical events according to strict theological and artistic rules.
The exhibition entitled “The Gift of Transfiguration: Changed Lives and Life” features 40 historic icons dating from 1650 to the present from throughout the world.
The historic icons are surrounded by 36 larger icons recently installed on the walls of St. Paul’s commissioned by the parish from Russian-American iconographer Dmitri Shkolnik.
The exhibit also includes icons by Daryl Cochran, an American iconographer who is an inmate at the London Correctional Institute.
The Orthodox Bishop of Pittsburgh will be in Dayton to bless and consecrate the parish’s new icons this weekend. Native Daytonian Bishop Melchizedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh will preside at a choral vespers at 7 p.m. today.
He will celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by a service of blessing for the new icons at 11 a.m. and a reception. The public is welcome at all events.
Ghana community to honor advocate
The Ghana Catholic Community of Dayton is planning a celebration to honor the 25 years of vowed service of spiritual leader and civil rights advocate, the Rev. Francis Tandoh. The celebration will be held during the service at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 519 Liscom Drive, Dayton. A reception will follow.
“Father Francis is a very giving man who works for anything involving civil rights, whether it is in Ohio or Africa,” says Joyce Reid Kasprzak who is helping with the celebration.
A missionary who came from Ghana to Dayton in 2000, Tandoh first became the religious education director at Resurrection Catholic School.
Today he is pastor of five parishes in Montgomery County. He also led a $4.5 million fund raising campaign to build a new church for the 500 families of St. Benedict the Moor parish which was completed in 2005, and stands as the only predominantly black Catholic Church in Ohio built by blacks.
Tandoh took his vows as a layman before he began his studies in Nigeria.
“Vows make your life easier,” he says. “In every situation, you know the right thing to do because of the vows. No confusion. Just do the right thing.”
Nun to celebrate 100th birthday
Sister M. Consuella Salmon marks her 100th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 25.
The community is planning a party for her from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Salem Heights, 2960 Salem Ave. (The entrance and parking are on Denlinger Road.) The public is welcome to attend.
“She has outlived nine popes and 18 U.S. presidents,” says Pat Morrison, director of communications for the Sisters of the Precious Blood. “She’s a fantastic lady!”
Sister Noreen Jutte, archivist, says Sister Consuella remembers the great influenza pandemic of 1918-1919, recalling that her father would wear a mask when walking down the street to protect himself.
After entering the Sisters of the Precious Blood in 1931, she taught elementary education, and was also an organist and library aide.
Organ dedication at St. John’s
A new organ will be dedicated at 3 p.m. Aug. 29 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 141 S. Ludlow St. in Dayton.
The program will honor the memory of the church’s former music director, David Weingartner. Guest recital organist will be David B. Comer from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Oakwood. Festival choir director Jeffrey Powell has composed a choral piece for the occasion. Also performing will be soloist Elizabeth Campbell-Buckley.
Weingartner, who served as music director at St. John’s for 10 years, was also the staff organist for the Cincinnati Reds and performed at the former Music Palace in Cincinnati.
According to the Rev. Jeffrey Campbell, he also built organs throughout Ohio and Indiana.
“This project was started by David several years ago,” says Campbell. “He designed the organ and did all the ordering, but his illness and tragic death put the project on hold. Larry Stofer, local organ builder, took over and brought the project to completion.”
The program is open to the public.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@ DaytonDailyNews.com.
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