Nicola Juha

Bethlehem Nicola Icons

ART, SPIRITUALITY AND TRADITION

ICONOGRAPHIC STUDIO

Welcome to my Iconographic Studio. A place where art, spirituality and tradition are connected. Modestly and humbly, with the support of my family, I have been able to create this studio, which is based on a more than 1800-year-old tradition of holy icons. The history, the legacy and the roots are found in the most sacred Christian site, the City of David, in Bethlehem in the Holy Land. We have much to be proud of, our rich history and the legacy of our ancestors. With the spirit of this legacy, I will try to pass on my experience not only to the little ones, but also to those who are looking for a way to iconography.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to bring iconography back to its place of origin and the beginning of everything, the Holy Land, and to preserve and spread its beauty and spiritual depth. We believe that icons are both windows into the spiritual world and mirrors of the human quest. We wish to inspire people to discover the deeper meaning of this art and provide them with the space to create their own spiritual works.

OUR MISSION

We are trying to spark your creativity and bring you closer to the world of iconography through hand-painted icons and an iconography studio. The studio is located in the centre of Bethlehem, in close proximity to places that are connected to biblical events. This holy place is not only an inspiration for us, but also the basis of our connection to the history and the tradition of iconography. We work with carefully selected materials and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation and date back many centuries.

Icons are the place where the soul speaks to God.

We are here to show you the ancient mystery of symbols and to show you how icons can enrich your life.

OUR GOALS

To promote the beauty and spiritual values of icons in the modern world.
To paint icons that carry messages of faith, hope and love.
To offer workshops and courses for those who want to discover the art of iconography and its depth.
To educate and train the next generation of iconographers and artists in this ancient tradition.

OUR COMMUNITY

We are proud of our iconographic community that connects artists, students and enthusiasts from all over the world. Together we share faith, love of art and desire for spiritual growth.

Join us and discover the world of iconography together. We are honoured to introduce you to this ancient craft and to pass on information to you and to the future generations.

Enter the world of iconography, where art merges with faith and life’s mission. Where every shape and every detail has its own story.

WORKSHOPS

We organize workshops for people from all over the world who want to delve into the mysteries of iconic art. During our courses we will guide you through the process of icon creation from start to finish. We will teach you ancient techniques, working with materials and mastering details. Your icon will become your spiritual masterpiece and a deep connection to the Holy Land.

COURSES FOR CHILDREN

We believe that art and spirituality should be accessible to all. That's why we offer courses for children, completely free of charge. Children are our future and we want to pass on this beautiful tradition to them. During the courses, children will learn about icons, the basics of painting and the spiritual meaning of these works of art. We are proud to be their guides on their artistic journey.

YOUR SUPPORT

By purchasing any of the icons you support our school and project. Your donations will allow us to continue our mission. Thank you very much for your support!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU

ABOUT ME

MY JOURNEY TO ORTHODOX ICONS

LIFE'S JOURNEY

Welcome to the pages dedicated to my life journey, where iconography is not just art, but my life. My name is Nicola Juha. I was born into a Christian family in the most sacred Christian place, Bethlehem, in the Holy Land.

At the age of 8 I discovered the magic of painting and drawing, which has been with me ever since. Thanks to the support of my family, I studied law. My inner desire and my heart have always directed me towards painting and the study of ancient techniques. Thanks to art, which taught me patience and humility, I was already very close to iconography itself.

The method of painting I use was discovered several centuries ago. Each symbol and each shape has its own story and message. Painting icons for me means peace, tranquillity, and leads to joy and satisfaction also. It is for me like a connection with God. The whole process of painting an icon takes several weeks, months or longer and it reflects all that is within us. It is a mirror of the spirituality within us.

Icons have a deep meaning and connect history, tradition, humility, faith and the place they come from, the "Holy Land". They are an imprint of my soul and faith. Each one has its own unique story.

Although my life has not always been happy and beautiful. Thanks to my family, siblings and friends, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. In my free time, I have discovered peace and serenity, and it is through the creation of icons.

I have educated myself as I could and continue to do so. I am an autodidact who humbly and constantly listens to my soul. I am moving on and on with each step. The journey is the destination and I wholeheartedly wish to spread and pass on what I feel is my path. The meeting in November 2019 with Athanasios Iliopoulos, who had just made his pilgrimage from the Jordan River to Bethlehem, was fateful for me. There were our paths connected. He was looking for faith and strength within himself and I found someone who gave me the courage to follow my dream and life's mission.

In February 2020, I travelled to Bari, Italy, the place where the relics of St. Nicholas rest and where I successfully completed an iconography seminar. Hard times didn’t last forever, because better times were about to begin. I grew up in a Christian family based on Christian values. This gave me a clear purpose in life to continue this legacy and journey.

My work is a mission and a gift that I value immensely. I create each icon with love and hope that it will bring beauty and peace into the lives of those who see it.

I hope you will join us on this journey. Thank you for your support.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15)

Nicola Juha - životní příběh

Iconography is not just painting...

About icons

Iconography is not just a painting on wood or canvas; it is the connection of the soul with God. Each icon carries deep meaning and symbolism, and its creation is a challenging spiritual and artistic process.

Creating an icon requires calmness, time and patience. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes years, before it is completed. This time is necessary to allow not only the artist, but also his heart and soul to imprint on it. Every brushstroke, every touch of paint is a prayer that connects a person to the spiritual world and has its place and meaning. The colours are carefully selected and blended to create bright and vibrant tones.

In creating our icons, we use raw materials directly from the Holy Land - water from the Jordan River, stones and clay from the area between Jerusalem and Jericho. This makes our icons a fusion of history and tradition. The technique we use has its roots in ancient Greek and Egyptian traditions that go back more than 2,000 years.

Each icon has its own story and message. They are images of faith, love and devotion. For the icon creator, it is not just art, it is a prayer in colours and shapes. Each icon, whether small or large, carries a piece of heaven within it. That is what makes them so precious and unique.