Orthodox Iconographer Raymond Mastroberte

About Raymond J. Mastroberte, Iconographer

Raymond J. Mastroberte's career as an iconographer spans over 20 years. Born in Passaic, New Jersey of parents of Slovak and Italian ancestry, his interest in iconography begins in the city of his birth.

Educated and raised in both Roman and Byzantine Catholic traditions, Ray attended parochial grade schools where he acquired his appreciation for fine iconography. Practically surrounded by churches of various old world backgrounds such as Slovak, Hungarian, Carpatho-Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, and German, he made it a regular habit to visit these places of worship.

Prior to graduation from Passaic High School in 1979, Ray converted to the Orthodox Christian faith at Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Passaic where he was to serve as cantor a few years later. This experience would later prove to be very helpful when he assumed a position as cantor/choir director at Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, (Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese) Rahway, New Jersey. He continues to direct choirs and sing on a part time basis for various churches in northeastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey as the need arises. Ray has a deep admiration for the ecclesiastical traditions of his ancestors, most especially of the "plain chant," commonly known as "Prostopinije."

Ray visited the land of his Slavic heritage in 1979 with his maternal grandfather, John Sotak. During their three week stay in Slovakia, he got to meet relatives in Konus and Baskovce and visit many churches which exhibit many fine examples of iconography, some dating back to the 18th century. He visited the neighboring village of Chonkovce where his grandparents where married, and where his grandmother attended church. It is one of his desires to travel again to Slovakia for the purpose of painting churches and panels in the land of his spiritual and maternal roots.

After studying with the late iconographer Seth Cornwall, Ray's style of iconography has evolved into a pleasant mix of Byzantine and Russian styles. He has produced literally thousands of pieces for homes, churches and chapels which can be seen not only in the United States, but also in Canada, Mexico, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Vatican City, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Syria, and Germany. His work has been the subject of numerous newspaper articles, most recently featured in the Scranton Times of Pennsylvania. He has also been interviewed by the local NBC affiliate for the nightly news.

Ray is available to give presentations on the subject of iconography to the public. He has been given the opportunity to speak at seminaries, clergy gatherings, altar boy retreats, and interfaith meetings. His articles on prayer have been a regular monthly feature of the "Orthodox Herald" since 1997.

Since 1986, Ray, his wife, Gail, and their two children, David and Lisa, have lived in the scenic Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. They are a homeschooling family. His other interests include travel, talk radio, politics, free-market economics, website creation, the internet and free-lance writing.

Icons by Raymond Mastroberte:
Holy Myrrh Bearing Women
St. Philip
Platytera