With reverence to the icons and some issues with using AI

Treat icons with reverence, because veneration of the image is veneration of the prototype. Do not turn the glorification of God through the saints into church kitsch. Work diligently with prayer and strive for perfection in icon painting, because as your prayer is, so is the icon you create. Do not be afraid of technology, but use it. Seek the benefit of AI, not its harm. And do not worry that it will take away your bread. Because you work for the glory of God, and the Lord takes care of everything. Many people face problems and the possibility of losing their jobs because of AI is quite realistic. I also have problems in other areas where I work, such as design – clients come with ready-made projects generated by this “intelligence” and sometimes ask for impossible solutions. I have had other cases before the AI era – I have seen my icons printed and glued to a board, on calendars and T-shirts, or copies signed by other colleagues. In ancient times, icons were signed: “The Holy Spirit wrote, through the hand of the servant of God… /icon painter/”. Today you can sign, because the signature is also a personal responsibility. It is clear about copies, but to protect your works, use all possible means, watermarks and copyright, etc. Read the lives of the saints, not just look at other icons. Some of the best examples were created from the 11th to the 14th century, the time of hesychasm. Later, due to secularism, heresies and anti-Christian religions, icon painting declined and they began to copy the good old icons. AI can lie and imitate, but it cannot replace you. There will always be people who buy painted icons. Every train has its passengers.