12. Fr. Thomas Loya

living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists Father Thomas J. Loya living Catholic artists

Fr. Thomas Loya

“Icons are in colors what the Scriptures are in words: witnesses to the Incarnation, the fact that God has come among us as a person whom we can see, touch and hear, to offer us the new life and begin the new creation.”

– 7th Ecumenical Council, Nicea, 787

12.1

12.2

Fr. Thomas Loya – Assorted

The Crucifixion WP–MS10B WP–MS10D WP–MS10F

8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00

Sts. Joachim and Anne WP–MS6A WP–MS6B WP–MS6D WP–MS6F WP–MS6H

Sts. Peter and Paul WP–MS4B WP–MS4D WP–MS4F WP–MS4H

8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

St. Matthew WP–MS5A WP–MS5B WP–MS5D WP–MS5F WP–MS5H

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

St. George & the Dragon WP–MS14B WP–MS14D WP–MS14F WP–MS14H

St. Luke WP–MS9A WP–MS9B WP–MS9D WP–MS9G

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

St. Mark 30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

WP–MS1A WP–MS1B WP–MS1D WP–MS1H

St. John & St. Prochorus WP–MS2A WP–MS2B WP–MS2D WP–MS2F WP–MS2H

8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 12 40.00 12 x 18 70.00 18 x 24 130.00

Nativity WP–MS7A WP–MS7B WP–MS7D WP–MS7G

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

1–800–895–6267 • Nelson Fine Art & Gifts • www.nelsongifts.com

30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

Fr. Thomas Loya – Assorted

The Prophet Elijah WP–MS27A WP–MS27C WP–MS27F

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 12 40.00 12 x 18 70.00 18 x 24 130.00

Sts. Cyril & Methodius WP–MS44A WP–MS44B WP–MS44D WP–MS44F WP–MS44H

The Dormition

5 x 10 30.00 8 x 16 50.00 12 x 24 100.00

St. Michael WP–MS13A WP–MS13B WP–MS13D WP–MS13H

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

12.3

WP–MS8A WP–MS8C WP–MS8F

Christ the Bridegroom WP–MS28A WP–MS28B WP–MS28D WP–MS28G

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

Christ in the Desert WP–MS53A WP–MS53B WP–MS53A WP–MS53A

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

5 x 10 30.00 8 x 16 50.00 12 x 24 100.00

St. John Chrysostom WP–MS15A WP–MS15C WP–MS15F

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 16 50.00 12 x 24 100.00

Christ the Teacher WP–MS12B WP–MS12D WP–MS12F

8 x 8 40.00 12 x 12 70.00 16 x 16 100.00

www.nelsongifts.com • Nelson Fine Art & Gifts • 1–800–895–6267

12.4

Fr. Thomas Loya – Assorted

Playtera WP–MS11A WP–MS11B WP–MS11D WP–MS11G

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

Transfiguration 30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

WP–MS29A WP–MS29B WP–MS29D WP–MS29G

5 x 10 30.00 8 x 16 50.00 12 x 24 100.00

WP–MS36A WP–MS36C WP–MS36F

St. Athanasius WP–MS35A WP–MS35C WP–MS35F

The Baptism of Christ WP–MS39A WP–MS39B WP–MS39D WP–MS39H

6 x 9 30.00 8 x 12 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 18 x 24 130.00

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

Confession of St. Thomas 30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

St. Basil the Great 5 x 10 30.00 8 x 16 50.00 12 x 24 100.00

The Holy Patriarchs WP–MS41B WP–MS41D WP–MS41F WP–MS41H

8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00 18 x 24 130.00

WP–MS34A WP–MS34B WP–MS34D WP–MS34G

6 x 9 8 x 12 12 x 18 16 x 24

30.00 40.00 70.00 118.00

St. Gregory the Theologian WP–MS38A WP–MS38C WP–MS38F

5 x 10 30.00 8 x 16 50.00 12 x 24 100.00

The Holy Eucharist (Detail) WP–MS58B WP–MS58D WP–MS58F

8 x 10 40.00 12 x 16 70.00 16 x 20 100.00

1–800–895–6267 • Nelson Fine Art & Gifts • www.nelsongifts.com

Fr. Thomas Loya – Assorted

The Harrowing of Hell WP–MS43B 5 x 12 40.00 WP–MS43E 10 x 24 100.00

The Holy Eucharist WP–MS57A 4¼ x 12 30.00 WP–MS57D 8½ x 24 82.00 WP–MS57H 12¾ x 36 180.00

Desk Plaques and Magnets of Fr. Loya’s icons can be found on pages 20.16—20.31 in the Plaques & Magnets section.

www.nelsongifts.com • Nelson Fine Art & Gifts • 1–800–895–6267

12.5

12.6

Fr. Thomas Loya – Assorted

Father Thomas J. Loya: About the Artist Father Thomas J. Loya, STB, MA, is currently the pastor of Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Parish in Homer Glen, Illinois.

He is also the host of “Light of the East” radio program, and speaks about Theology of the Body each week as a regular guest on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air program.

Fr. Loya is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and was ordained to the priesthood July 11, 1982. He is a celibate Byzantine Catholic priest of the Eparchy (Diocese) of Parma and comes from a long line of married Byzantine Catholic priests. Before entering the seminary, Fr. Loya earned a degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art and pursued a career in commercial art and design. He later completed his studies for the priesthood in both Pennsylvania and Rome, where he attended the North American College and earned an STB from the Angelicum University.

During his time in Rome, Father Loya was first exposed to Pope John Paul II’s monumental teaching on the human person when he attended his weekly audiences about the Theology of the Body. After his ordination, Fr. Loya added to his Bachelor of Fine Arts by earning a Masters in Counseling and Human Services in 1993.

Fr. Loya has served the Church in youth and young adult ministry, as well as through his artistry and design consulting. He has directed many retreats and has been a guest speaker at several conventions, including World Youth Day 2002. Using his background in art, counseling,

and Eastern Catholic spirituality, Fr. Loya wrote all of the icons in Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Parish. Fr. Loya often gives tours of his parish, teaching about the icons and referring to the iconographer, but never mentioning that it was he.

The History of the Parish In October of 1993, Father Loya was assigned as pastor of St. Mary’s and the parish entered into a period of serious discernment about its future. It was this process of discernment that gave rise to a new parish, which would be located in Homer Township, Illinois. Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Parish is the combination of three Chicago area parishes to prophetically, creatively and courageously respond to the call of the Byzantine Catholic Church in the new Millennium.

The First Divine Liturgy in the new church was celebrated September 19, 1999. The parish is situated on 10 acres of land that has been kept or restored to its natural environment – a living land that grows with the people who care for it and love it. The architecture of Annunciation parish features the golden onionshaped exterior domes and sweeping arches, characteristic motifs of Byzantine architecture.

Domes and arches, which mark both the exterior and interior of the church, symbolize the meeting of Heaven and earth. The architectural patterns accommodate Byzantine iconography, which adorns the interior of the church from floor to ceiling with “theology in color.”

1–800–895–6267 • Nelson Fine Art & Gifts • www.nelsongifts.com