Quiet Day with the Retreat Association Icon

Saturday 28th June 2025   10.00am - 4.00pm

Space is available on this event!

Icons (and other artworks) can be powerful signposts for the inner life, especially when you meet them in the company of a skilled guide. For our Quiet Day we are fortunate to have both icon and guide!

The icon pictured shows Jesus's significant encounter with a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well. It was specially created for the Retreat Association in 2018, since when it has been displayed at many retreat houses, churches and cathedrals. 

Our Quiet Day will include an exploration of how this beautiful icon was made by a local iconographer, as well as how we can begin to interpret its meaning. Then we will spend time reflecting in detail on the gospel story of this encounter (John 4:1-42) and how it speaks to each of us today.

Alison MacTier is Director of the Retreat Association, a spiritual director and leads regular quiet days and retreats. She is passionate about the value of retreats and spiritual direction. After 30 years in the south east she has returned to her childhood roots in Somerset. Alison enjoys walking, photography and morris dancing.

The icon was painted - or written as iconographers say - by the late John Coleman (AKA Ikonjohn) who began his ... art while a guest at nearby Hilfield Friary. He went on to learn all the traditional methods of iconography such as using ground minerals and gold leaf. John spoke about how prayer is central to the process of creating an icon and he often worked in church or cathedral settings. He had accepted an invitation to visit Othona with this icon in 2020 but was prevented by the pandemic and died the following year. 

Your day charge includes a tasty nutritious lunch

You are genuinely welcome to choose whichever rate suits you

N.B. It is possible to make this day part of a longer residential stay - more details here

Arrival + Departure Times

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