Armenian Carving
Armenian Carving has always fascinated me. With ancient origins, it has persisted until today despite all the trials experienced by Armenians through history. Its intricate patterns coupled with very hieratic figures bring to mind ancient Irish grave markers somehow fused with Islamic geometric art. Interestingly, carving in Armenia is integrated directly into Church architecture in…
Continue reading »Interview with Vladimir Gorbik
Late in June, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary held a Master Class taught by Russian choral composer and conductor Vladimir Alexandrovich Gorbik. The seminary published an interview with Gorbik which will be of special interest to our readers. In it, Gorbik reflects on the Master Class and its students, as well as providing some insights…
Continue reading »Does the Blessing of Icons Agree with or Contradict the Tradition of the Orthodox Church?
The Question Orthodox Christians routinely have their icons blessed by a priest or bishop. Bishops often anoint them with Holy Chrism. There are even special services for blessing different kinds of icons: of Christ, of the Mother of God, of feasts, etc. Most people would never imagine putting an unblessed icon in their houses; it…
Continue reading »The Recovery of the Arts (pt.2): From the Garden to the City
This is post 2 of 3 in the series “The Recovery of The Arts” Jonathan Pageau Examines the duality in the traditional vision of art, and how it is transformed by Christ, moving from the garments of skin to liturgical art and how this vision contrasts to contemporary notions art. The Recovery of the Arts…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division (Pt. 6) – Conclusion
This is the last in a six-part series. Part 1, Part2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 The Role of the Icon in the Movement Toward Unity What role then can the icon play in the Ecumenical Movement? Will it be an instrument leading to the healing of schisms or a sign of division?…
Continue reading »Services for the Departed – a forthcoming book from St. Tikhon’s Press
Services for the Departed is anticipated in print in early 2013! With this volume, we offer to the English-speaking Orthodox world music for the Panikhida and Burial services based entirely on melodies from authentic Russian chant originals, something that heretofore has not existed in English in any one volume. Furthermore, we have endeavored to present these…
Continue reading »An Icon of the Kingdom of God: The Integrated Expression of all the Liturgical Arts – Part 3: The Role of Panel Icons, Frescoes, and the Iconostasis
This is post 3 of 12 in the series “An Icon of the Kingdom of God” Andrew Gould gives a unifying vision of how all the liturgical arts complement each other to create a living icon of the Kingdom of God. An Icon of the Kingdom of God: The Integrated Expression of all the Liturgical…
Continue reading »St. John the Baptist – Euless, Texas
On Saturday, June 14, St. John the Baptist (GOA) parish in Euless, Texas formally opened their beautiful new temple. Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver presided over the Thyranixia – the Opening of the Doors – after which the parish celebrated the first liturgy in their new Byzantine-style cruciform basilica. The building is among the best and most…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (Pt. 5)
This is post 5 of 5 in the series “The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division?” Fr. Steven Bigham Explores the icon as a universal language of Christianity through scripture, councils and tradition. The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (pt. 2) The Icon: Sign of Unity or…
Continue reading »The Role of Matter in Iconography & the Liturgical Arts
“What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, who for our sake was seen on earth as man? For everything created by Thee offers Thee thanks. The angels offer Thee their hymn; the heavens, the star; the Magi, their gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, the cave; the wilderness, the manger; while we offer Thee a Virgin Mother,…
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