Religious and ceremonial arts Books

Book SynopsisVita Kirk is a travel writer who has never left her hometown. In fact, she rarely leaves her house. Due to deep wounds and bitter losses, Vita has chosen isolation over vulnerability. But when she stumbles across an antique chest in a hole-in-the-wall boutique, she discovers a puzzling link to her past and her physical surroundings mysteriously begin to change. Inscribed in the treasure chest are the words, "Love is the key that unlocks every portal."The power of these words prove to unlock a part of Vita she thought had died years ago."Stories like this go by many different names-fantasy, time-shift, magical realism. Some are overtly Christian or religious in nature, others are not. But from a spiritual perspective, the common thread in all these works is the redeeming, transforming power of God's grace not only to alter the future but to change our understanding of the past."--Penelope Stokes

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Book SynopsisIn this treatise, John the Solitary (ca. 390) enters into a dialogue with two disciples who have come past the beginning stage of the spiritual life and have brought him their struggle against the passions in the life of the inner person (barnâšâ gawwâyâ). John’s description of the life of the soul is outlined here in a framework of the stages of the spiritual life. Included is his analysis of the passions, showing very little if any Evagrian influence. The Dialogue on the Soul is a difficult text. It is hoped that this Syriac-English presentation will enable others to take the discussion forward. John’s genial thought merits this.

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Book SynopsisOnce little known outside of Haiti, Vodou flags (drapo Vodou), dazzling in color and imagery, have become popular commodities in the international art market. Works by such notable Haitian artists as Silva Joseph, Antoine Oleyant, and Yves Telemak now grace the walls of museums, art galleries, and private homes throughout the world.The fascinating, colorful collection of drapo Vodou included in this book reveals the importance of Vodou flags in the Haitian culture. Shimmering with sequins and reflected light, they capture the attention of Vodou practitioners and art lovers alike.In showcasing the Vodou flags and the artists who create them, this book also offers a striking revelation of the gods (Iwa) that inhabit the Vodou spirit world.

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Book SynopsisWhat we call holy in the world - a person, a place, a set of words or pictures - is so because the completely foreign is brough together with the familiar and the everyday. No one embodies this more than Mary, who literally makes a home for the Creator of all things in her own body and in her own house - the strangest reality we can conceive. Here, Rowan Williams invites us to explores and reflect on the depths of meaning in three classic icons of the Virgin and her child from the Eastern Christian tradition. Icons have been described as "theology in lien and colour" and, in tracing the movement within these icons, Williams discovers the pattern of love that they reveal, a love that invites and embraces us so that we no longer remain as spectators, but find ourselves caught up in the drama that unfolds itself before us.

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Book SynopsisRowan Williams applies his knowledge and imagination in reflecting on four classic Eastern Orthodox icons of Christ: the Transfiguration, the Resurrection, the Hospitality of Abraham (an icon which depicts the Trinity) and the Pantocrator, or Christ in glory. Icons have been called "theology in line and colour" and in these images we find eternal truths and life-changing challenges. Icons have become increasingly popular as aids to devotion, but with an expert guide such as Rowan Williams, their many layers of meaning emerge more clearly.Trade Review'The language of this short book is simple but packed with possibilities. It is devotional theology at its best and cannot be too highly recommended.' -- Paul Bregazzi * The Reader *'A beautifully presented, slim, hardback volume illustrated with the full icon at the beginning of each section (...) I found this little book quite delightful and learnt quite a lot. (...) A lovely book for anyone wanting to explore icons,it would also make a most acceptable gift." * The Lance *'This beautifully produced and illustrated little hardback is a sequel of "Ponder These Things", the volume Archbishop Rowan wrote on praying with icons of the Virgins. (...)There is an increasing number of us in the western Church who love and use, and, maybe, paint icons, but who do not hold to the full Orthodox understanding of them (...).But many of the books and articles I have read on praying with or meditating on icons seem to wander off into even more obscure realms of unconnected thoughts and tenuous links with the subject icon, so they become unhelpful or even distracting. Not so with Archbishop Rowan's book which is like a deep clear spring of mountain water. It is full of profound insights and always relevant (but by no means obvious) ideas to inform and deepen prayer before icons of Our Lord. And as the Archbishop writes in his introduction "We don't depict just a slice of history when we depict Jesus; we show a life radiating the light and force of God.' -- John Hughes'Archbishop Williams has brought out a companion to his fine book of meditations on icons of the Theotokos. (...) After treating in a fairly basic way the history of the style in question (or, in Rublev's case, the icon itself), Williams goes on to focus especially on how the icons invite us to consider some aspect of Christ's transforming work for us. (...) in contrast with the earlier companion to this book, Williams rather restricts himself to making some extremely fundamental comments. Indeed, now that both are available, this reviewer would recommend that anyone interested in having them both might do well to begin with the book on icons of Christ and them take up the book on icons of the Blessed Virgin.' -- Augustine Casiday * SOBORNOST *'This is another beautiful little book following the Archbishop's Ponder These Things: Praying with icons of the Virgin, this time looking at four icons of Christ from the Eastern Orthodox Church. (...) William's depth and clarity is well-matched by the luminous depths of these icons, and he leads us into new insights into the meaning of Christ that will deeply enrich the Church.' * The Sign *This is a beautifully written book (...) and Dr. Williams gives us many memorable phrases as well as many thoughtful and challenging insights. (...) It is also beautifully illustrated, with full page coloured depictions of each icon, and details throughout each chapter. We are indebted to the Canterbury Press for giving us these encouraging and enlarging books, which are really better termed works of art; and as always to Rowan Williams, for taking divine and holy things and, in his unique way, enabling us to embed them into our ordinary human lives.' -- John Harvey * CORACLE *

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Book SynopsisSheela-na-gigs are carvings of female images depicted as naked and posing in a manner which accentuates the most powerfully evocative symbol of the vulva. They were erected on many churches of the medieval period and are generally referred to as protective talismans or good luck symbols. This book is written from a non-academic perspective and so aims to be accessible to the general reader. The catalogue section of the book is a very comprehensive alphabetically listed reference to all known sheela-na-gigs in Ireland and Britain. All the entries in the book include a description, details of the location and a drawing.

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