A Constellation of Chandeliers – Some Recent Lighting Projects
I have written some articles in the past about large choros chandeliers that I have designed and installed. But today, I’d like to introduce a number of other lighting projects: individual or unusual fixtures, chandeliers in interesting places, and other pieces I’ve had the pleasure of making. I will start with a recent chandelier I…
Continue reading »The Dynamis Byzantine Ensemble – A New Recording Showcasing the Best of Byzantine Chant in English
Byzantine chant is an ever-evolving art form, responding to the advances put forth in both music and hymnography by the great personalities who have shaped it, such as Saint Romanos the Melodist, Saint John of Damascus, Saint John Koukouzelis, and Peter the Peloponnesian. However, all the men mentioned above were active within a wider movement…
Continue reading »The Nature of Divine Beauty
A Tough Love Many are drawn to the beauty of icons. But clearly this beauty is of a different order than, say, that of a Greek statue, or of a Renaissance painting. Icons are liturgical objects, created for prayer, a means of communion with the Lord. So what are some of the characteristics of divine…
Continue reading »An Iconographer, a Contemporary Artist and a Movie Director Walk into a Bar
Last September, I was invited by Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto to speak on a public panel as a prelude to the annual massive art event called Nuit Blanche. Wycliffe college is a somewhat conservative Anglican school, and on this panel were three artists who identify as Christian and who were asked to…
Continue reading »A New Translation of the Canon of the Akathist by Fr. Seraphim Dedes
The state of affairs for English-language liturgical texts is fundamentally unstable. A core problem is that there is no existing body that has either the mission or the competence to review and approve English-language liturgical texts, so there is no settled path to a text being adopted once it is produced. In addition, differing jurisdictions…
Continue reading »That Weekend in Louisville with Benedict and Maria Sheehan
Theology wedded to music has a fragile integrity entrusted to singers who must skillfully labor to reveal heaven on earth.
Continue reading »Beauty and Meaning Today – A Video Interview with Andrew Gould
In this 45-minute video, Jonathan Pageau interviews Andrew Gould, discussing his work and philosophy in the field of Orthodox church design as well as many other areas. It particularly addresses how Andrew adapts historical styles for modern needs, while keeping them fresh and approachable.
Continue reading »Seeking Perfection in the World of Art: The Artistic Path of Father Sophrony
Editorial note: Due to its little-known subject matter and the book’s current limited availability in some regions, the following is a summary, rather than a standard review, of Seeking Perfection in the World of Art: The Artistic Path of Father Sophrony1 – Sister Gabriela’s monograph on the artistic journey and iconographic legacy of Elder Sophrony.…
Continue reading »An Interview with Constantine Stade of New Creation Bellringing
Constantine Stade is an expert in bellringing in the Russian Tradition. In 2018, he founded New Creation Bellringing, a consultation service that assists American churches in setting up bells and properly ringing them. A. Gould: How did you become interested in the art of Russian bell ringing? C. Stade: The sound of Orthodox church bells…
Continue reading »Decorative Borders—Adding Beauty in an Orthodox Church
(Written by Nikos Pantanizopoulos and Lynne Attaway) Beauty in an Orthodox temple is something easily taken for granted, but it has deep spiritual and theological significance. It can also be realized even by those who do not have the skills of iconography. Beauty is an integral feature of Orthodox temple. We honor God when we show…
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