Iconography workshop and tour in Thessaloniki, Greece

Iconography workshop and tour

Thessaloniki, Greece

October 16-27, 2026

The registration deadline has passed, but you may still join. Please contact me to confirm before registration.

Come paint an icon with me in Thessaloniki, Greece! Each day, we will go on excursions to see a couple of sites, spending the rest of the day painting, completing an icon in egg tempera over the course of a week. An option is available for spouses, friends, or family who are not taking the class. There is so much to see in this walkable city--at least a little from almost every period: catacombs, early Christian and pre-iconoclastic Byzantine mosaics, middle and late Byzantine frescoes, and a fantastic icon museum, in addition to ancient ruins and a beautiful Aegean promenade. We will extend the trip by a few days to include breathtaking Meteora, Veria (an iconofile's paradise where St. Paul preached), Kastoria (a picturesque town in the middle of a lake with dozens of medieval churches), and Arta (a middle-Byzantine jewel box). This unique experience is organized by Orthodox Tours. Do you want to join me?

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Friday 15 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

- Arrival in Thessaloniki. Transfer to the hotel separately on your own. Check in
after 15:00 o’clock. You can leave you luggage at the hotel if you arrive
earlier.
- Welcome Dinner provided.

Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 2 | Saturday 17 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

- Walking tour Acheiropoietos, Hagia Sophia, Baptistry/Catacomb of St. John
and St Gregory Palamas
- Lunch on your own, on the way back.
- 14:30 – 18:30: Workshop.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 3 | Sunday October 18 | Thessaloniki

- Walk on foot to St. Demetrios church for divine Liturgy. Walk to Saint
Katherine Church
- Lunch on your own, on the way back to hotel.
- Workshop 14:30-19:30.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 4 | Monday, October 19, 2026 | Thessaloniki

- Walk to St. Nicholas Orfanos, Rotunda, Arch of Galerius.
- Lunch on your own.
- Workshop 14:30-19:30.
Overnight in Thessaloniki

Day 5 | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Thessaloniki

- Transfer by taxi to the Old City Byzantine Walls, visit Vlatadon Monastery,
walk downhill to Latomou (Hosios David) and Prophet Elias. Walk back to
hotel.
- Lunch near the hotel on your own.
- 14:30 – 19:30: Workshop.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 6 | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | Thessaloniki

- Metro ride and walk to Holy Apostles.
- Lunch on your own, on the way back to hotel.
- Workshop 14:30-19:30.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 7 | Thursday October 22, 2026 | Meteora

- Depart by bus to Meteora
- Visit two monasteries--Varlaam and St. Nicholas Anapafsas. Possibly a 3rd monastery and Kalambaka Dormition if time allows.
- Lunch provided.
- Return to Thessaloniki and overnight.
- Dinner at hotel

Day 8 | Friday October 23, 2026 | Veria

- Depart by bus to Veria: Byzantine Museum, Old Metropolis, Chistos Veroias, Panagia Soumela (if possible)
- Vergina royal tombs
- Lunch provided.
- Dinner out on your own.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki

Day 9 | Saturday October 24, 2026 | Kastoria

- Depart to Kastoria. Visit the Byzantine museum, Kaznitsis, Koubelidiki and
Mavriotissa. Visit other churches in Kastoria if time allows.
- Return to Thessaloniki for overnight.
- Lunch provided.
- Dinner out on your own.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 10 | Sunday October 25, 2026 | Thessaloniki

- Divine Liturgy at Panagia Dexia church (a beautiful newer church across the street from the hotel)

- Walk to the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
- Walk / Metro ride to the Procession of St. Demetrios.
- Farewell dinner provided.
- Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 11 | Monday October 26, 2026 | Thessaloniki

- St. Demetrios day.

- Morning liturgy at the Basilica of Saint Demetrios

- Workshop 14:30-18:30 (if necessary). Workshop concludes.

- Free evening.

Day 12 | Tuesday October 27, 2026 | Departure
- Depart for the airport.

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP:

Learn to paint a traditional Byzantine icon from start to finish under the instruction of Brian Matthew Whirledge, M.Ed., a teacher/iconographer who has painted hundreds of icons for homes and churches across the US for over a decade. Brian will help you make egg tempera paint from scratch, develop an underpainting, and artfully develop color, form, and light with egg tempera paint. We'll discuss the history and theology of icons, and see historic icons in context in daily walking tours of Thessaloniki, followed by a tour of Byzantine art in northern Greece.

You will receive step-by-step instruction, demonstration, and all materials to paint this icon. A workshop is a spiritual retreat, as you will spend hours in prayer, face-to-face with Christ and the saints. Brian's hands-on workshops are for everyone: beginners without artistic experience will create a successful icon while advanced painters will be challenged.

Traditional egg tempera is Brian’s preferred medium as well as the preference of iconographers for centuries. Egg tempera uniquely transfigures creation into sacred images, combining the vegetable (wood panel), animal (eggs), and mineral (pigments) kingdoms.

You will paint your icon on a gessoed panel. Brian will guide you through the underpainting sketch and every step of painting. The workshop has a prayerful, retreat-like atmosphere.

Materials & Supplies:

All materials and supplies are included with tuition:

• Gessoed panel, prepared with traditional gesso made from chalk and rabbit skin glue.

• A set of pigments and egg

• A set of brushes, palette and palette knife

• Spray bottle, water cup, paper towels, brush soap, tape, pencil, etc.

• Handouts and printed materials

It is not necessary to bring any supplies, but you are welcome to bring your own brushes, a table easel, or any other supplies you want.

COST

Student in double or twin room (per person) : $3,150 USD (includes iconography workshop tuition and supplies).

Student in single room (per person): $3,750USD (includes iconography workshop tuition and supplies).

Options are available for spouses, friends, or family who are not taking the class:

Non-student in double or twin room (per person): $2,600 USD (does not include participation in the iconography workshop).

Non-student in single room (per person): $3,200 USD (does not include participation in the iconography workshop).

REGISTRATION:

Please register early. The class size is limited. Register online with a $1,000 non-refundable deposit in my online store. You can also mail a check (please contact me for my mailing address). The registration deadline and payment in full is due July 28.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is provided in selected three, four, and five star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis.

INCLUSIONS

• Workshop facilities including meeting room and refreshments

• Transportation with a bus and experienced driver

• Accommodation with daily breakfast

• Two dinners including farewell dinner

• Three lunches

• Licensed English speaking guide throughout the program except departure day

• Entrance fees to all sites and museums as per itinerary

• Audio guide system for the duration of the trip

• Environmental taxes, fuel, and tolls

• Liability insurance

EXCLUSIONS

• International Airfare to/from Thessaloniki SKG

• Beverages and meals not specified in the program

• Tips and gratuities

• Travel insurance

• Personal expenses