I actually did not even recognize that it was made by Ivaan, because it was incredibly ornate.
©IVAAN KOTULSKY 1973 |
Once I realized that this was an early Ivaan piece, I knew it could never be sent out to someone who repairs and replates liturgical vessels. I would have to do it myself. I might add that in the Ukrainian Orthodox religion, women are not permitted to handle these items. I think it is safe to assume that Father S. decommissioned them before handing them over to me.
It will be a multi-step process but a total labour of love to restore the Ivaan chalice to its former byzantine glory, including re-goldplating the cup, replacing all of the stones on the base with new ones, and perhaps replacing the wooden connecting piece with something more eyepopping. My goal is to finish it in time for the seventh anniversary of Ivaan's death, December 6th, which happens to fall on a Sunday, in the hope that it can be used in the Cathedral for that church service.
That is my mission (should I choose to accept it). Mission accepted. Stand by for the big reveal.
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