Re-creating relics

Retired Reverend Timothy Dols used to preach the gospel. Now, he writes it. In the form of icons that date back centuries.

“To be a hagiographer is to write the holy and that means that these images are to help people realize the presence of god,” Dols said.

The Wilmington resident reproduces ancient images from the Eastern Orthodox Church. He took an interest in the art about nine years ago. Now, he works on several icons at a time.

“Part of this has to do with faithfulness,” Dols said. “To be faithful to the old, but doing it at the present time.”

He added that the process requires lots of attention to detail and, above all, patience. Each color on the image requires multiple layers of paint and each layer can take several hours to dry. Some even take days. Dols calls the process spiritual.

“We can sit and talk about an icon, and low and behold, you’ll find that you’re talking about yourself and your spiritual life,” Dols said. “Well, that’s where you’re supposed to be.”

Dols also teaches hagiography classes two hours a week. For more information call 910-793-2442.