Mariamni Plested and her family will arrive at St Seraphim’s in December 2024.
Mariamni is an iconographer who currently lives in the USA – but is no stranger to St Seraphim’s. She was born in a neighbouring village and baptised at St Seraphim’s where she was a regular part of the community as a child. As a teenager she learned from Fr David, and later also studied iconography with Leon and other teachers. She is excited to be setting up her iconography studio at St Seraphim’s where she will be working on some special projects focused on British Saints as a tribute to Fr David and his legacy.
She will also take over management of the site from Jules and has some exciting plans for creative community workshops in the pipeline. Mariamni will spend eight months as iconographer-in-residence at St Seraphim’s during which time her husband, Marcus Plested, on sabbatical leave from his post as Professor of Greek Patristic and Byzantine Theology at Marquette University, USA, will be working on a research project on the Theology of History. They look forward to hosting a range of events and study days connected with the history and work of key figures associated with the Chapel.
I am an Icon painter in the area, actually until recently had a house in Little Walsingham so would love to connect with Mariamni to see if there are any courses or opportunities to learn more from her.
I have read about you in Paul Kingsnorth’s Abbey of Misrule. The British Saints and especially those of ancient Northumbria have been very special for me for the last 30 years. I am companion of The Northumbria Community see https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/ and over recent years have developed 6 pilgrimage routes called the Northern Saints Trails – https://www.thisisdurham.com/northernsaints/
A few years ago I found a tenth century vespers antiphon about St Cuthbert on an orthodox website but did not take the reference and cannot now find it. I wonder if you might know it or be able to find it for me? Here it is:
A Vespers Antiphon about St Cuthbert (10th century)
Praise be to Him who gave the Scottish and English
the lamp of his salvation, Cuthbert the good doctor.
The Lord granted many of his lights to shine through the ages,
so that the divine flame would illumine the gloomy shadows
of night for humankind from the height of the heavens.
And although Christ himself, born to God of light is the highest light,
God’s shed His radiance gleaming across the water, and Britain, now
participating in it, gives birth in our own days to the holy splendour by
which Cuthbert, an inhabitant of the golden stars,
teaches us to ascend on high by following in his footsteps.
Splendour of the Father’s glory, giving light from light,
and source of light illuminating the day of days
True Son flashing in perpetual brightness, let light fall into our souls,
and radiance of the Holy Spirit pour into our senses.
O rising brightness of eternal light and sun of justice: Come and shed light on those remaining in darkness and in the shadow of death.
All blessing, wisdom and strength to you and your family in this new endeavour.
I don’t know this hymn, if I come across it I’ll let you know!