Calligraphy at St. Nina’s Monastery

“Handwritten letters touch the heart.” So said Jaki Svaren, one of the most prominent American calligraphy teachers of the twentieth century. And one could say more: that handwritten letters, more than any form of writing, materially trace hidden movements of the heart. They embody a meaning beyond words.

grinding stick ink fresh each time: a pause to prepare

Archimandrite Dionysios, the Elder and Spiritual Father of St. Nina’s Sisterhood and many other monastic communities worldwide, blessed one of St. Nina’s Sisters to learn calligraphy from her father, a master calligrapher.

writing with a steel nib on textured paper

Calligraphy is a traditional monastic craft, with many Saints having practiced it as their primary handiwork and obedience. And in spite of modern printing technologies, its significance has not diminished. The ease of digital printing makes handwritten marks even more precious.

Every piece from St. Nina’s Monastery Scriptorium is handwritten using traditional broad-edge pens, freshly-ground stick ink, & gouache colors, a culmination of years of training – tracing an ongoing spiritual and creative journey.

Prayer at Daybreak Manuscript Book № 22.5

$400.00

Handwritten, handbound book of St. Sophrony the Athonite’s ”Prayer at Daybreak,” translated into English under his supervision by his spiritual child Rosemary Edmonds.


Written in the Carolingian Hand by Nun Savviane with steel pens, hand-ground Chinese stick ink, and flame red gouache (with a little spectrum yellow) on Southworth Ivory Laid paper.


Hand-bound by a friend of the Monastery. Cover is a hand-marbled paper with subtle metallic accents. Spine reinforcement is deep crimson bookcloth.


Note: this book was slightly creased in the mail between the Monastery and the bindery. The integrity of the book is not affected in any way.


5.5″×4.25″

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Prayer at Daybreak Manuscript Book № 22.6

$550.00

Handwritten, handbound book of St. Sophrony the Athonite’s ”Prayer at Daybreak,” translated into English under his supervision by his spiritual child Rosemary Edmonds.

Written in the Foundational Hand by Nun Savviane with steel pens, hand-ground Chinese stick ink, and indigo - tinted gouache on Mohawk Superfine paper. Adorned throughout colour and accents of pure burnished gold.

Hand-bound by Douglas Havach. Cover is made of now - discontinued Elephant Hide, a famous German product renowned for its unique marbled appearance, feel and durability for decades. The cover is accented by a pen - made cross on hand - marbled paper. The spine is reinforced with ecru bookbinding cloth.

Note: Some pages of the book were creased during writing due to the thinness of the paper relative to its size. This does not affect the integrity of the book.

8.75″×5.5″

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Jesus Prayer № 1, Horizontal, 5″×7″ Frame Size

$50.00

The Jesus Prayer written out in the Foundational Hand by Nun Savviane on cream laid paper.

Pictured colour is Red Ochre. Indigo, Chromium Green, and Burnt Sienna are also available.

Each Prayer is handwritten and unique and comes matted and ready to frame in an acid - free presentation bag.

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Jesus Prayer № 3, Horizontal, 5″×7″ Frame Size

$60.00

The Jesus Prayer written out in the Uncial and Italic Hands in two colours by Nun Savviane on cream laid paper.

Pictured colour is Cypress Green. Red Ochre is also available.

Each Prayer is handwritten and unique and comes matted and ready to frame in an acid - free presentation bag.

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‘Someone Who Loves’, Horizontal, 5″×7″ Frame Size

$60.00

A quotation from our Sisterhood’s Elder, Archimandrite Dionysios, written in the Foundational Hand by Nun Savviane in black gouache with red ochre accents. Designs will vary slightly.

Each quotation is handwritten and unique and comes matted and ready to frame in an acid - free presentation bag.

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