BYZANTINE ICON STUDIO IN TORONTO
Est.1991
The Byzantine Iconographic Studio in Toronto was established in 1991 by master iconographer Fr. Theodore Koufos. For many years, Fr. Theodore and master iconographer Valentin Streltsov worked and taught within the Studio, developing a practice rooted in the traditional methods of Byzantine iconography.
The Studio’s principal work is the creation of icons and the decoration of Orthodox Christian and Byzantine Rite churches. We maintain, as faithfully as possible, traditional techniques, materials, and established iconographic forms.
Today, the Studio continues this work under the direction of iconographer Ksenia Sapunkova, who studied with Fr. Theodore and Valentin and has worked professionally in Byzantine iconography since 2014. Through commissioned work and instruction, the Studio continues to preserve and pass on the craft through direct practice and apprenticeship.
Our Iconographers
Valentin Streltsov was born in Lviv, USSR, and received his Master’s degree from the Lviv College of Decorative and Applied Arts named after Ivan Trush. From an early age, he worked on painting, mural, and mosaic projects in Lviv and other cities of the former Soviet Union, later specializing in icon restoration and traditional Byzantine iconography.
Beginning in the 1980s, Valentin worked extensively in the restoration of icons for churches, private collections, and antique collections in Western Europe. He also painted Byzantine-style icons for Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, convents, and private collectors.
Valentin moved to Toronto in 1990. From 1991 onward, he worked closely with Fr. Theodore Koufos on the decoration of churches throughout North America. Together they contributed to more than thirty churches, working on icons, iconostases, murals, and other elements of ecclesiastical decoration.
His work has included significant ecclesiastical commissions, including the Papal Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa. In 2007, following this project, Valentin was awarded a Pontifical Medal by Pope Benedict XVI. He also collaborated on Byzantine-style mosaic projects recognized by the Smithsonian Institution.
Valentin’s icons and other works are held in churches and private collections internationally, including collections in the Vatican. Over the course of his career, he painted hundreds of traditional Byzantine icons and contributed to numerous large-scale ecclesiastical projects.
For more than two decades, Valentin’s work with Fr. Theodore formed an important part of the artistic foundation and teaching tradition of the Byzantine Iconographic Studio in Toronto.
Father Theodore a native of Boston, MA. Received a BA in Anthropology and a BA of Fine Arts degree from the state University of New York at Buffalo, and a Master in Fine Arts from the University of South Florida. Father Theodore received his seminary training at Holy Trinity seminary, Jordanville and studied under two eminent masters of iconography archimandrite Cyprian and Archbishop Alypy of Chicago. Father Theodore credits his work with both these masters at Holy Trinity Monastery, as sealing is interest in iconography. Ever since that time, throughout his priesthood he has been painting or, as it is sometimes called “writing” icons. He has become known for developing an aesthetic that involves elements of both Slavic and Greco-Byzantine traditions of iconography. Father Theodore has adopted both the “poeticness “ of the Slavic style and the “impact” of the Byzantine Style. Father Theodore has painted numerous churches in most jurisdictions for professionally for about 50 years. Realizing that every architectural setting sets the mood of the given parish church he adapts his work to the existing space while arranging certain icons according to the standard placing in the Orthodox tradition he nevertheless, allows for specific variations according to the architecture of every unique interior. Some churches due to its particular interior architecture allow every inch of the interior surface to be painted and some more loosely approached. Fr. Theodor has accomplished his success or notoriety through his many thousands of finished pieces and countless church decorations with the aid and collaboration of his main iconographic and very talented assistant Valentin Streltsov. Father Theodor was guest of Man Alive and is also been invited by different colleges and universities to lecture such as University of Ottawa and Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, St. Michaels College and Guide lecturer at the Royal Ontario Museum, Byzantine Collection.
Ksenia Sapunkova is a Ukrainian-born iconographer based in Toronto, Canada. Her work continues the traditional practice of Byzantine ecclesiastical art, with particular attention to the theological, aesthetic, and liturgical principles of the Byzantine tradition.
Ksenia received her foundational artistic education at the Lviv College of Decorative and Applied Arts named after Ivan Trush, where she completed a four-year program in sculpture under Yaroslav Uzkiv, Yaroslav Trots’ko, and Mykola Mogylat.
After immigrating to Toronto in 2008, she began her apprenticeship in the professional iconography studio of Fr. Theodore Koufos and Valentin Streltsov. Working alongside experienced iconographers, she learned the practical and technical aspects of traditional icon painting and church decoration through direct participation in major ecclesiastical projects.
In 2009, Ksenia began her studies at Sheridan College, graduating with a Bachelor of Illustration degree in 2014. During this period, she continued working on church projects, gaining experience in the painting of domes, sanctuary walls, and other large-scale ecclesiastical spaces.
Since 2014, Ksenia has worked full-time in Byzantine iconography, contributing to churches and private commissions across North America. Her work includes traditional icon panels, murals, sanctuary decoration, and other elements of Byzantine church decoration.
Today, she directs the Byzantine Iconographic Studio in Toronto, continuing the tradition she received through apprenticeship while teaching and working on new ecclesiastical commissions.