Konstantinos Pantelakis

Saint Isidoros blessing the Schinos tree

Artist’s statement

Isidoros was an officer of the Roman fleet, when, in 249, he found himself in the island of Chios in Greece and was converted to Christianity. He was denounced, persecuted, sent to prison and tortured. His agonizing pain touched the Schinos tree. The tears of the Schinos fall to the earth in the form of pearls. Isidoros died on May 11, 250. His passion watered Christianity and the earth of Chios. Schinos blossomed and offered splendid fruits. The holy man’s tears were linked to his agony and brought earthly paradise to Chios. Schinos gum is a unique natural product, used since the Antiquity, internationally famed for its healing virtues, nowadays used in medicine, dentistry, perfumery, distillery, cosmetics and pastries.

Artist’s biography

Konstantinos Pantelakis is an icon painter and a researcher in Orthodox iconography and popular painting. He paints icons following the Byzantine way (Cretan School). He is currently teaching the painting of icons and he participates in an art-therapy project in the public psychiatric hospital of Dromokaitio. He has participated in group exhibitions in Chios and Athens in Greece, and Brindizi in Italy. He has painted the icons of the churches of Saint Isidoros in Gera, in the island of Lesvos and of Christ’s Assumption in Petra Livadias. His works can be found in churches, monasteries, public and private collections in Greece and abroad.

Contact with the artist:
Address: Themistokleous 7, 12351 Agia Varvara, Greece
Tel.: +30 6948 36 05 63, + 30-210-56.97.559

Konstantinos Pantelakis - Greece

art exhibitions in Greece – autumn 2007

Saint Isidoros blessing the Schinos tree