A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part Two – The Songs of Men
This is post 2 of 2 in the series “A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music” Benedict Sheehan Traces the hierarchy, function and story of sacred music. A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part One -The Song of the Angels A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part Two – The…
Continue reading »Divine Temple 2012
I would like to draw the reader’s attention to this wonderful publication from Russia. Kolomenskaya Versta Ltd. produces albums, manuals, catalogs and postcards featuring and publicizing contemporary iconography and liturgical art. The fourth edition of their catalog of iconographers, “Divine Temple” is now available. It is printed in English and Russian. From the publisher: We…
Continue reading »Folk Icons in Russia
Pravmir.com has an article up featuring an ongoing exhibit of Russian “folk icons”. I have included a few images below, but the article should be read in its entirety. A few things come to mind when looking at these folk icons. As the author points out, these icons have a certain “warm-heartedness” about them, and…
Continue reading »Towards Indigenous and Mature Liturgical Arts
We often hear it said that traditional Orthodox liturgical arts are reviving. But how far advanced is this revival, how mature is it, and what in fact are we reviving? In this article I would like to stimulate discussion by briefly considering three related subjects: indigenous iconography, maturity, and features of a healthy climate that…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (Pt.4)
This is post 4 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 »Embroidery for the Modern Church
In 1995, a small unused room in the Icon Painting School at the Moscow Orthodox Theological Academy was converted into a studio for a single student interested in the lost art of church embroidery. This became the Pictorial Embroidery Department of the Icon Painting School housed in a larger facility within the famous Trinity-St. Sergius…
Continue reading »The Creation of a Christian Culture
This is post 1 of 2 in the series “The Creation of a Christian Culture” Nicholas Kotar shows us how liturgical art and traditional forms can inspire the creation of para-liturgical and secular works of art. The Creation of a Christian Culture The Creation of a Christian Culture, Part 2 “Christianity has a great calling,…
Continue reading »A Carver’s Commission
At the beginning of this story is my bishop, fittingly also the man who received me into the Orthodox Church when he was still a parish priest. He asked me if I could carve an “engolpion” – a large pendant worn by bishops, usually bearing an icon of The Virgin and Child. He asked…
Continue reading »Liturgical Arts and the Eye of the Heart
Beauty cannot compel, but it can call. Liturgical art and worship, when well executed, is a fragrance of paradise that beckons us to find its divine source. In this article I want to discuss one particular role of liturgical art: to help open the eye of our heart, or the nous as it is called…
Continue reading »Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies Summer School
The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies will be holding their 13th annual summer school course at Westminster College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, July 22-27. The course is called “The Icon: A Bridge Between East and West”. The schedule features several talks and events. The speakers are an exemplary group of scholars, including the renowned Orthodox theologian, Metropolitan…
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