Holy Art, Holy Beauty

A peek inside St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The interior of St. John the Baptist in Myrtle Beach. Photo by Christine Anderson.

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, "In the Orthodox view, the concept of the image is central to Christianity... A church and the images in it must create an environment in which the Liturgy can be realized in all its depth." To this end, the church does not recognized the gilded and painted icons as art in the secular sense. This is not the work of self-expression. Instead, Greek Orthodox art is for one purpose, to set the tone for liturgy, allowing it to be an experience for all the senses, self-reflection, and a better understanding of God.

Each year St. John the Baptist opens its doors during the annual Myrtle Beach Greek Festival, scheduled this year for Thursday, October 17 - Sunday, October 20, 2019.

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