MACON, Ga. — A church in North Macon is getting a colorful upgrade.
St. Innocent Orthodox Christian Church is adding some color to its ceilings which is said to "draw in" the congregation to the teachings of the gospel.
Iconography is the artistic interpretation and history that represents God, the saints and other sacred subjects.
Father Theophan Buck has been at St. Innocent Church for about 14 years and has seen his church grow in numbers and size.
"We've grown quite a bit to the point where we decided to have an iconography project," Buck said. "We hope that when people come to church, that they'll encounter God through either the saints or even the iconography. So, everything in here preaches the gospel."
Two years ago, Buck met Vladamir Grygorenko and knew his work would best represent the church.
"We love his style," Buck said. "He brings a lot of expertise from the old world and the new world so we've been happy with the level of consideration and input and dialogue that we've had together. Essentially we invited him out and he's been here for a few months now."
Grygorenko is an artist and iconographer who lives in Dallas, Texas, but he is originally from Ukraine.
"The purpose is to serve god and serve the church in this local community," Grygorenko said.
He went to college to study mechanical engineering, but during his freshman year, he began to paint. It soon became his passion.
Grygorenko searched deeper into art history and religion, which then turned into creating iconographic pieces.
"It was iconography that brought me to church and to faith," Grygorenko said. "It was really important to me and still is and that's why I continue my services to the church through art because iconography is an art which serves the church."
He says rediscovering iconography has made him embrace its traditions while keeping true to himself as an artist.
The new murals and iconography are said to bring some growth to the community, and Grygorenko said he is looking forward to coming back and experiencing what others feel through his art.
"We actually did it," Grygorenko said. "I think the true answer to the question would be God brought me here to this place."
Grygorenko plans to be finished with phase one by the end of the month and take a break. But by the end, the goal is to cover the whole church with murals and iconography.