REGISTER HERE WITH A SUMMER SCHOOL DEPOSIT
Registration NOW OPEN for August 2027 — Our 6 Year Anniversary!
WRITING THE LIGHT ANNUAL SUMMER ICON SCHOOL with George Kordis
AUGUST 8 – 18th, 2027
This 10-day immersive summer icon painting study program on the Greek island of Crete will allow balanced daily studio learning with additional trips to churches and monasteries as a part of the inspirational curriculum – along with shared meals and curated evenings of food, discussion, music and camaraderie.
OVERVIEW:
Our Summer Iconography School is a unique opportunity to immerse in learning iconography in-person from Dr. George Kordis in his native country of Greece. The instruction will begin with several days drawing in the Byzantine system and will then focus on painting and various techniques in the Byzantine system specifically with the dry egg tempera technique.
The program is held exclusively on Crete where students can enjoy a full 10 days of peaceful and inspirational learning with Dr. Kordis. Hosted at the renowned Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC) — a unique sanctuary in the mountainous hills of Northern Crete near the village of Kolymbari overlooking the sea and within walking distance of both village and beach, the Academy hosts two Botanical Museums, an extensive library as well as several ancient churches on-site or adjacent, including the famous Gonia Odigitria Monastery which allows for beautiful and convenient access to the Feast Days for the Dormition of the Holy Mother (Assumption of Mary) of the 15th of August, occurring during the same time as the summer school.
The food is highly rated and is included in the separate lodging cost. Students registered in the program are required to stay at the OAC for the best group experience (spouses and other family members welcomed ~ scroll down for specific information). The stay will be split between daily studio work and optional trips (also included in cost) to monasteries to visit significant ancient icon paintings, monasteries and churches and free time to visit some of the best beaches in Europe (Elafonisi and Falasarna Beach).
For more information on the unique location, please visit the website for Orthodox Academy of Crete. The Academy recently went through extensive renovations and are pleased to announce that the plein aire dining area overlooking the sea and over twenty of the guest rooms have been beautifully renovated.
Each day will comprise an average of 6 hours of studio time paired with relaxed visits in the afternoons to museums, churches and monasteries to see inspiring ancient and contemporary examples of iconography.
We are adding a special new addition of a Byzantine-inspired group meal and music for our closing ceremony.
The program is good for beginner, intermediate or advanced levels, as all instruction is individualized and broken into groups based on student preference and determined skills and comfortability.
The summer school is conducted in English.
First Day ~ AUGUST 8th
NOTE: Students will need to decide if they will arrive to Crete by Ferry on the early morning of the 8th or by plane a day in advance to be ready to take the private chartered bus to the Orthodox Academy or arrive by their own means. Students are also welcome to fly into Chania airport independently on the morning of the 8th and secure their own taxi to the Orthodox Academy. For those arriving by ferry or taking the private charter bus on the early morning of the 8th, breakfast will be provided at the OAC with rest time until lunch and afternoon excursions.
ALL students are requested to arrive by 12 noon on August 8th.
The Summer School will end on the 18th of August immediately after breakfast with a 10am private bus taking travelers to the Chania Airport, although participants are also welcome to depart by private taxi earlier if they wish, or to stay on in Crete and enjoy all the beauty it has to offer…
Please scroll down for the Tuition & Fees. The dates are locked in and will not be subject to any changes.
AGENDA
SUNDAY, August 8th
Arrivals to the Orthodox Academy of Crete — a private charter bus will be available to students from the Chania Port with the bus arriving to the OAC in time for breakfast, or students can travel to the OAC independently. All students are requested to be present by the noon opening lunch.
07.00 Transfer from Port of Souda to the Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC)
08.30 – 09.30 Breakfast
Until 12.00 arrivals of all the students and check-ins.
Free Morning/Settle in ~ Liturgy at the adjacent Gonia Monastery
12.00 Lunch
13.20 Welcome Greetings
Dr Konstantinos B. Zormpas, General Director of OAC
Dr George Kordis, Master Iconographer – Instructor
Keri Wiederspahn, Program Director
Konstantina Stefanaki, Iconographer and Study leader of OAC
13.45 – 15.00
Introductory welcome session with Dr. George Kordis
15.00 FREE TIME
19.45 Welcome drink
20.00 Dinner
Monday, August 9th
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 Lunch
13.00 – 15.00 Workshop (Drawing)
15.30 Visit the Holy Monastery of Gonias and the Museum of Icons
The Church of Archangel Michael, Rotonda Episkopi, the Church of Saint Stephen-Drakona and the Church of Saint John the Herimit- Marathokefala
Return
20.00 Dinner
Tuesday, August 10th
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 Workshop
16.20 Bus leaves for Falasarna Beach (35 minute trip)
Enjoy the afternoon and amazing sunset at the beach
Self-organize dinner at the local Taverna
20.30 Bus returns to the OAC
Wednesday, August 11th
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 Workshop
Free time
19.00 Dinner
Thursday, August 12
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 Workshop
16.15 Visit the Holy Monastery of Chrysopigis
Free time at the old harbor of Chania
Self-organize dinner
20.00 Departure back to OAC
Friday, August 13th
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 Workshop
Free time
19.00 Dinner
Saturday, August 14th
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.30 Workshop
18.00 Cold Buffet
Free afternoon and Dinner
Holy Monastery of Gonias
20.00 Vesper and the Feast of the “Dormition of the Theotokos”
22.00 Paraklesis (Intercessory Prayer)
23.00 Agrypnia ( Vigil)
Sunday, August 15
Feast of the “ Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos”
08.30 – 09.30 Breakfast
07:30 – 10:30 Holy Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of Gonias
FREE DAY / Individually-organize Excursions
Monday, August 16
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 Workshop
Free time
19.00 Dinner
Tuesday, August 17
08.00 Breakfast
09.00 Workshop
12.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 Workshop and conclusion of the seminar
Free time
19.30 Closing Night Ceremony – Byzantine Group Meal and Music
Wednesday, August 18th
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast
10.00 Departure with private bus for airport and port
We will have coffee and tea available throughout the workshop.
Please be informed that possible changes from the organizers may
affect the delivery of the program. The dates will not change.
TUITION and COST:
Payment is broken into several parts.
- An intial Booking/Reservation Fee through Writing the Light with a non-refundable deposit of 400 euros to secure your spot (applied to total).
- Tuition is set at 1,200 euros and is payable to Cinnabar, PC — it can be paid in two parts with an installment of 600 euros due in February 2026 and the remaining amount due in May (all registered students will be billed accordingly). Students will billed for these payments directly by invoice. You can request to secure your payment in one invoice if preferred or if registering after the first February period, the full amount will be invoiced in May.
- You will pay a separate Lodging, Meals and Excursion fee to the Orthodox Center of Crete
Orthodox Center of Crete Fee:
After registration, for your stay on Crete, you will need to select your choice of:
- single room accommodation at the OAC with private bath (1,550 euros)
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double room accommodation at the OAC with private shared bath (1,290 euros)
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a special rate for children aged 6 up to age 12 (upon request)
NOTE: These fees may slightly increase for 2027.
Payment for the OAC is in July, one month prior to the start of the Summer School (and is non-refundable). We will give instructions on how to secure the payment directly to the OAC at the appropriate time.
ALL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO BRING A SPOUSE or TRAVEL FRIEND (or a child 12 and older or under 12 if accompanied with a non-participating parent/care-giver) by paying a per person fee for the Orthodox Center lodging, excursions & meals.
The OAC fee includes:
- Welcome reception
- Accommodation at the OAC’s rooms with daily breakfast
- Lunches and Dinners at the OAC (with red/white wine) according to the traditional Cretan cuisine, with two free days
- Coffee and Tea, biscuits available throughout the Workshop
- Transfers by bus from the Port of Souda, Chania to the OAC as you arrive by ferry from Piraeus, Athens or from the Chania airport (CHQ) to the OAC
- Special Group Dinner at the old harbor of Chania (dinner included in cost)
- Traditional live Cretan night with traditional music, musicians and dancers
- ALL EXCURSIONS:
- To the church of Archangel Michael, Rotonda Episkopi,the Church of Saint Stephan – Drakona and Church of Saint John the Herimit- Marathokefala
- Visit at the Holy Monasteries of Chrysopigis and the Holy Trinity and the Museum of Icons, the Grave of Benizelos, small tour at the old city of Chania
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
* PLEASE USE THE RED DEPOSIT BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE TO REGISTER *
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Please deposit (400 EUR) through the registration portal — you will then be contacted to confirm and share next steps.
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You will be billed for the tuition in April 2027 through Cinnabar, PC.
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You will only need to pay the Orthodox Center Lodging deposit one month out from the actual event (it is non-refundable from that point).
NOTE: You will need to independently secure your air or ferry travel to and from Crete.
Your round trip travel to Crete can be made by boat or by plane. The ferry must be booked in advance (link for tickets will be shared closer to the date, with an average of 60 euros per person economy seat, with more for a cabin with a bed). The Orthodox Academy will be able to provide transport to and from the OAC upon arrival from the port on the morning of August 8th as it is located approximately an hour North from the port. Bear in mind that most ferry and airlines from Athens to Crete will not post schedules for August until around May 2027.
We will begin to share monthly informational planning emails in February 2027 for your trip.
REGARDING REGISTRATION & REFUND POLICY
* The 400 euros deposit is non-refundable — make sure to secure all travel and Athens lodging with generous policy for any changes/cancellations.
* Should you need to cancel attendance you will receive a refund for any balance paid minus the deposit if we are notified prior to June 1st. If you cancel attendance after June 1st, you will forfeit your deposit, and will only be refunded your remaining amount paid minus an additional 100 euro administrative fee, OR you may also choose to apply your unused tuition and deposit in full to summer of 2027 so you will not lose your full investment if you have to withdraw at the last minute.
* We will work as generously as possible with students experiencing unforeseen illness or travel issues that prevent attendance. Usually this will be handled on a case-by-case basis. We understand there are many factors beyond your control with travel, and we ask that you be up-to-date with all travel policy for entering Greece, your time in Greece, as well as requirements for your own country while traveling abroad.
We hope to have you join us for this rare opportunity to learn iconography from master artist and iconographer George Kordis in the beautiful and peaceful setting of Greece — for our sixth year!
NOTE: IF YOU REGISTER AND DO NOT RECEIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER WITHIN 24 HOURS, Please email Keri Wiederspahn at keri@writingthelight.com and/or check your spam folder as sometimes our letters and invoices go directly to spam.
Thank you!
