CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN EXPRESS
 |
| Lurnea's Samih Louka hand crafted every icon painting at Punchbowl's St Demiana & and St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church. PHOTO: NICK BLOUKOS. |
AUSTRALIA - For about 15 years, Mr [Samih] Louka, 67, has lovingly hand crafted each of the 46 icon paintings displayed at the St Demiana & and St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church. “It is a gift from God,” he said, quickly deflecting any praise for his personal skill. Born in Cairo, and speaking mostly through a translator, he described how he painted the faces of saints and martyrs in his icon paintings. [
link]
