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1941 - 2013
Ksenia (Belyakova) Pokrovsky, 71 of Sharon, MA, internationally known Russian Orthodox iconographer, died unexpectedly, Sunday, July 7, 2013 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Born in Kyrgyzstan March 9, 1941, she was raised in Moscow where she met and married her husband Lev Pokrovsky in 1960. She received her degree in biophysics from Moscow University in 1966. By 1968, she left behind the laboratory to embark full time on her life-long vocation as an Orthodox iconographer, with the blessing of Father Alexander Men (d.1990), her close friend and spiritual father. Working on historically important icons, she developed a high level of skill as a restorer, but was better known as one of the foremost pioneers of the restoration of the tradition of icon-writing in contemporary Russia.
She immigrated to the United States in 1991, and established her Izograph Studio outside of Boston. Her icons are revered in many churches and private collections around the world, including Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. She was the author of the renowned icon, "Synaxis of All Saints of North America" as well as the complete interiors of St. Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church, Lexington, KY, and St. Mary Magdalene Church in Manhattan. She was a gifted scientist, iconographer, artist, teacher and friend whose loss is deeply grieved by the many lives she changed.
In addition to her devoted husband of 54 years, Lev Pokrovsky, she is survived by three sons, Eugene, Nikolai and Ilya, a daughter, Anna Gouriev, and two brothers, Eugene Shpitalsky and Igor Belyakov. She also leaves behind her 10 beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as her many devoted friends and students. She was predeceased by her son Dimitry in 2001.
Funeral services were held at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Salem MA, on Wed. July 10, 2013 at 7:00 P.M, followed by an all-night vigil kept by family and friends, with burial the next day, July 11, at St. Tikhon Monastery Cemetery, South Canaan PA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
As the years go on, we come to realize more and more how deeply her life and her icon-writing have marked us. The Orthodox Church is the church of Divine Beauty, and Ksenia has opened a window for us to glimpse this Beauty. Blessings to you !
Bishop Paul Dupuis
July 16, 2021
Memory Eternal!
Now may she see beyond the mystic icon face to face!
James Taylor
July 29, 2013
Ksenia has filled our lives and our spirits with divine love and taught us how to look upon the beauty of God. This light will never be extinguished in our hearts. Memory eternal.
Bishop Paul Dupuis
July 22, 2013
May her memory be eternal and may she rest with the saints! A beautiful and magnificent woman who touched an untold number of lives. Her magnificent icons will continue to offer a window into Heaven.
Dianne O'Regan
July 22, 2013
Thank you Lord God for Ksenia's beautiful life...forgive her of any sins known and unknown and tell her Lord that we students love her and value all that she gave up for us all...Amen
July 22, 2013
Memory Eternal
July 22, 2013
Ksenia Belyakova Pokrovsky will be remembered as a grace filled woman. She used the Gifts given to her by the Holy Spirit to teach and enrich many people with an understanding of the truth, goodness, and beauty of God that occurs through the patient writing and study of sacred icons. My wife and I offer our sincere sympathy and condolences to Ksenia's family and friends. May she eternally rest in the presence of Our Lord and His Holy Mother.
Rev. Deacon Paul Iacono
July 22, 2013
You will be missed, Ksenia. I had only one class with you, but I could tell that you were a wonderful teacher and person.
John Auger
July 22, 2013
A light to America from the Orthodox world. She will be missed.
Nancy Forderhase
July 22, 2013
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