Iconography
The Recovery of The Arts (pt.3): Memory of the Heart
This is post 3 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 »Opus Sectile Icons
There is a relatively famous image of St. Eudocia from the 10th or 11th century from Constantinople that has recently caught my attention. It is done in a technique called Opus Sectile. Unlike Mosaic which is the assembly of similarly shaped squares forming a pattern, Opus Sectile is when stone is cut in different shapes…
Continue reading »Painting an Icon; the Hexaemeron Workshop
I am not an icon writer nor am I an icon painter, if it makes a difference. I am the founder and administrator of the non-profit organization Hexaemeron which sponsors courses in iconography. As such, I once attempted to make a St. Paul icon to familiarize myself with the process so that I could write…
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 »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 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 »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…
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