Why do the saints in icons often look sad?

Jon Sweeney: Why do the saints in icons often look sad?

Br. Thomas Skowron, OFM Cap.: People sometimes ask me this, why the faces on icons always look so sad. They’re actually not meant to look sad, but rather... I’m not even sure how to say it in English… 

The technical term is charmolype in Greek, or svetlaya pechal in Russian, and can be translated as “bright sadness,” “bitter joy,” or “joyful mourning.” It describes a tender look of mercy. 

You see, the saints already enjoy the divine reality, but they remember the struggles of a human life on earth, the temporary exile of the children of God so to speak—and that’s why can look at us with mercy. 

They don’t laugh at our sins. 

They know it’s not always easy to do the right thing, to follow God’s path, but they’re in peace, because they have already experienced God’s loving judgement of mercy.

For the full interview with Brother Thomas Skowron, OFM Cap., be sure to see the print edition of Living City magazine for March-April 2026. To subscribe, go here.