Christine Dochwat Receives Order of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky

“For long-term and extremely fruitful work in the field of church painting, which culminated in the painting of iconostasis, individual cycles of icons, mosaics, and frescoes for more than seventy Christian churches; for a deep personal Christian life and testimony of faith, for a service to the Church, and moral authority recognized by the Church and society,” reads the award letter signed by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

“Mrs. Christine Dochwat spent more time in this church than many others. Each of these stones is laid by her hand. Look at the Mother of God who is standing in front of us with a warm gesture and a blessed look,” stressed Metropolitan Borys during the ceremony. He noted that Dochwat’s style can be recognized in the faces depicted but also in the decoration, noted for its beauty, impeccable filigree, and innovative style. 

“We thank you for your prayer because icon painting is first and foremost a spiritual act. In all the churches you have worked, your art will call for prayer and union with the Lord for centuries to come, God willing. May this honor, given to you today by the head of our Church, bring you peace and joy,” continued the Archbishop.

Christine Dochwat was born in Ukraine in 1934, moved to the West with her family in 1944, and has lived in the United States since 1947. She studied at Saint Basil Academy in Jenkintown near Philadelphia before graduating from the College of Fine Arts (Sarasota, FL) in 1952. She took another degree at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts in 1956 and began working in the field of iconography that same year. From 1956 to 2006 Dochwat created iconostasis, separate cycles of icons, frescoes, and mosaics for close to eighty American churches.