Hospitality Icon Commission for Diocesan House

01/05/08

Regan O'Callaghan, a priest and artist based at St John on Bethnal Green, has written an icon for the reception of Diocesan House.

Regan felt the theme of hospitality was an important one and so greatly inspired by the story of Abraham and Sarah showing hospitality to three strangers and the beautiful icon of the Trinity by Rubliev he set to work. The finished piece is made up of three panels. Each panel is painted with egg tempera on gesso with gold leaf.

The icon, commissioned by the Bishop of London, depicts three smiling women from the congregation of St John on Bethnal Green Church, seated around a table.

These women were chosen for a number of reasons. They reflect the diverse nature of the congregation at St John's as well as the local East End community and wider church.

Each woman is a wife, mother, and grandmother, a person of faith and a committed hard working member of their church, something the artist wanted to celebrate. The three women also symbolise in part the important role of women – particularly older women – in the Church of England.

The opened hand of Mother Pearl is held out to greet the viewer to the table, a place of fellowship and hospitality while Mother Becky and Mother Miriam look on. The stars on the table cloth symbolise the many descendants of Abram. The colours represent the liturgical seasons within the Christian calendar.

More importantly though the icon isn't a traditional icon, the artist wished to convey a sense of the 'sainthood of all believers'.

Regan is originally from New Zealand. He trained at Westcott House and was ordained at St Paul's Cathedral in 2001. He is currently working on an icon for the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Four years ago Regan became a self supporting minister. He supports himself through his art, running workshops and working on art commissions. He believes this to be an integral part of his priestly vocation and ministry of encouragement.