Notes from the psalterion, updated and annotated – Part I, First Principles
This is post 1 of 6 in the series “Notes from The Psalterion” Richard Barrett gives us practical advice for the discipline of liturgical music in a local parish context. Notes from the psalterion, updated and annotated – Part I, First Principles Notes from the psalterion, updated and annotated – Part II, Getting Started Notes…
Continue reading »The Mystery of Ethiopian Iconography
Ethiopian Christianity presents many mysteries to us, their unique use of Old Testament typology, their concentric churches, their claim of having the Ark of the Covenent and its use in liturgy – these all create an obscure but fascinating question. I went to Ethiopia in 2009 to discover more about their liturgical arts. I would…
Continue reading »OAJ at Work
I would like to draw the readers’ attention to this video. It features OAJ contributor and icon carver Jonathan Pageau in action, and some of his finished works. The Gospel cover and the pectoral crosses were collaborative efforts with OAJ founder, Andrew Gould. The music is Psalm 103, Valaam Chant, by the St. Tikhon’s Mission…
Continue reading »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…
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