The most annoying thing is the dust, of course – it’s like a veil that keeps you from seeing the hidden symbolism, and every time you brush it away you’re asking the icon to speak again. The paint is a good friend, but the real test is keeping the holy air in check while cracking a joke about the Divine – the heavens tend to stay silent when you try to make them laugh. But then again, a perfectly executed wink in the background can make the whole fresco sing, if you’re patient enough to let the mystery unfold.