5. Iconographic
Analysis of the Icon of the Nativity of Christ
The Birth of Christ has always been celebrated and
hymned by Christians in some way or other, as it is central to the Faith. The
Word of God in past times may have appeared as an angel of the Lord, or the
divine fire of the burning bush, but now, from this time onwards, He has become
one of us; and not just as a fully-grown man descended from Heaven, but in
humility God is born of a woman, and comes to us as a tiny, speechless, infant.
This is what is shown in the Nativity Icon, and around this central historical
event other stories surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ are depicted…READ FULL ARTICLE
4. The
Techniques and Details: Creating Orthodox Icons
It may be impossible for you to find any icons of the
saint. Perhaps they are obscure saints, or are well known but for some reason
not recorded in icons. This is very often the case with early saints of the
West, such as the early saints of Britain or Gaul. In this case, assuming you
are experienced enough to attempt such a thing, you will need to design the
very first icon of that saint. And for this more research is required. Having
studied the saint’s life, you will need to become acquainted with the dress and
even the hairstyles of the age, and if they were clerics, what tonsures were
used at the time…READ FULL ARTICLE
3. Orthodox
Christmas: Why is the date different around the world?
Orthodox Christians around the globe are preparing for
their own Christmas, which they celebrate on January 7. But why chose this day
to celebrate? Who celebrates it and how is the occasion marked?...READ FULL ARTICLE
2. Astrology
is Astrolatry: Christian view on Astrology
Christian man does not have to be a miracle-worker,
brilliant theologian or heavenly vision soothsayer or maker, but he does have
to account for not being aware of his sins. A sin in the Orthodox Church is
understood in the spirit of the Greek word "amartia." In Ancient
Greece, when a person aimed to hit the bull's eye and failed, they called it
"amartia," "he missed." Falling short of the mark, not
reaching your goal, not attaining your purpose is sin…READ FULL ARTICLE
1. Clergy
Etiquette in the Orthodox Church
The following is a guide for properly addressing
Orthodox clergy. Most of the titles do not exactly correspond to the terms used
in Greek, Russian, or the other native languages of the national Orthodox
Churches, but they have been widely accepted as standard English usages…READ FULL ARTICLE
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