Dear reader,

I was born in Thessaloniki in July 1975, where I currently live and work.

In the summer just before the 3rd Grade (Senior High school), I started my two-month preparation in drawing for the School of Fine Arts, as a student of Savvas Poursanidis. On graduating Senior high school (at Malakopi) I started working as a waiter in a downtown cafe at Aristotelous square; at the same time pastime I was learning hagiography.

In September 1993, I was enrolled in the Business School, of vocational-technical training for high school graduates and I also made my first steps into professional hagiography. As early as my first semester in the School I found out that my love for hagiography prevailed and I interrupted my studies on completing the first year.  In July 1994, while maintaining a very small hagiography workshop and I was registered anew at the school of Savvas Poursanidis and started visiting Mount Athos over and over again. In 1995,        I participated for the first time in the exhibition “Artifact-Folk Art” in Athens, as well as in other exhibitions both in Florina and Trikala. On November 20th 1995, I was presented in the 9th Infantry Regiment to serve mandatory military service.

In 1998, I get acquainted with a very important Greek hagiographer, Ms. Eleni Dadi; a pious woman, a true artist who greatly contributed to my course in hagiography. She generously offered me insights into the technique and colors, providing me with several files of proper and correct designs.        I got all this help with much love and effortlessly, despite her efforts and trouble in obtaining them. I really thank her and I feel endless gratitude.

       During the school year 2000-2001 I was chosen to teach as a part-time hagiographer at the State Institute of Vocational Training of OAED (Greek Public Employment Service) at Langada Street, Thessaloniki.

       On December 15th 2001, I made a step further establishing a religious items store, which I maintain until present, with a great variety of items, yet giving more emphasis to all sorts of icons (painted, silver, gold, silk screens, carved hagiographies) and special hand-made items such as pectoral crosses, pendants, etc. The store is called “Platytera ton Ouranon” (i.e. She who is more spacious that heavens) and is located at 85 Egnatia Street, Thessaloniki.
       In 2007, I got married to Georgia Kantartzi and we have three daughters. Twenty years after my first professional steps many of my works can be encountered. Briefly:

Holy Monastery of Ag. Theodora, Thessaloniki (frescoes)

Holy Church of Ag.Therapontas, Ι.Μ. Thessaloniki (frescoes, icons)

HolyChurchofAg.Georgios, Metropolis of Neapoli & Stavroupoli (repair of frescoes and icons)

Holly Cell ofAg.Georgios-Skourtaion, Mount Athos (frescoes, icons)

HolyChurchofAg.Spyridon, Triandria, Thessaloniki (icons)

HolyChurchofAg.Christophoros, Aloro, Metropolis of Edessa, Pella & Almopia (frescoes, icons)

HolyChurchofAg.Nikolaos, Aloro, Metropolis of Edessa, Pella & Almopia (frescoes, icons)

HolyChurchofAg.Nikolaos, Leivadia, Metropolis of Kilkis (frescoes)

HolyChurchofthe Assumption of Virgin Mary Samothrace, Metropolis of Alexandroupolis (frescoes)

HolyChurchofMetamorphosis tou Sotiros (Holy Transfiguration), Platanochori, Metropolis of Ierissos (frescoes and icons)

HolyChurchofAg. Georgiou, Mesokomo, Metropolis of Ierissos (frescoes and icons)

HolyChurchofAg. Pavlos, Ano Poli, Thessaloniki, Metropolis of Thessaloniki (icons)

HolyChurchoftheArchangels, Ano Poli, Thessaloniki, Metropolis of Thessaloniki (icons)

HolyChurchofAg. Panteleimon, Ippokrateio General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Metropolis of Thessaloniki (icons)

Metropolis of Thessaloniki(frescoes)

HolyChurchofAg. Georgiou, Varvara, Metropolis of Ierissos (frescoes) 

HolyChurchofAg. Pantes, London, Archdiochese Thyatira (frescoes and icons)

Holy Cross Orthodox Church, NewYork, Archdiocese of America (icons)

HolyChurchofAg. Nikolaos, Drama, Metropolis of Drama (icons)

HolyMetropolis of Isodia tis Theotokou (Presentation of Virgin Mary) Drama, Metropolis of Drama (icons)

In addition, many of my portable icons are found in significant private collections in several religious items and folk art shops in several parts of Greece. I have made exports and collaborations starting with my first export to Austria, then Italy, Australia, Germany, England, America, Israel, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Russia.

Comparing several of my early works in my workshop with the latest, I feel there is significant progress and I hope my progress and development will continue.

To conclude with, I would like once again to thank my parents, Michail and Pinelopi, as well as all those who contributed to my work and facilitated my efforts.

 
GeorgiosM. Tsatsiadis