This section includes books about music and icons. For recordings, check out Audio-Cassettes.
Books are listed alphabetically. All prices listed are in Canadian funds.
Byzantine Hymnography and Byzantine Chant by Dimitri Conomos Two lectures by one of the foremost Byzantine musicologists in the world on the form and musical tradition of the Church's hymnody. 50 pp. HCP501 $4.50
Byzantine Sacred Art by Photios Kontoglou Selected writings of the foremost contemporary Greek iconographer on the Sacred Arts according to the Tradition of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Includes chapters on Byzantine architecture, hymnography and music, but the emphasis is on wall paintings, panel icons and mosaics. 25 full-page illustrations, 171 pp. IBM845 $16.00
Byzantine Thought and Art by Constantine Cavarnos A collection of essays dealing with Byzantine philosophical and theological thought, as well as of the arts of the Byzantine tradition, particularly iconography, hymnody, and music. 139 pp. IBM844 $10.00
Great Week and Pascha in the Greek Orthodox Church by Fr. Alkiviadis C. Calivas A unique study on the development of our present Holy Week and Pascha services. Written with deep respect for the tradition of the Church and with obvious love of the Church's services. Clergy and laity will find this a storehouse of information and inspiration. 145 pp. HCP601 $17.00
Guide to Byzantine Iconography by Constantine Cavarnos Detailed explanation of the distinctive characteristics of Byzantine iconography, of the traditional pattern of decorating Eastern Orthodox churches with panel icons, wall paintings, and mosaics, and of the chief doctrinal, liturgical, and festal icons; together with an explanation of St. John Damascene's defense of holy icons. 264 pp. IBM843 $24.00
Guide to Byzantine Iconography, Volume 2 by Constantine Cavarnos Detailed, illustrated explanation of ten major icons of the Festal cycle and of the iconography of God, of the Panagia or Theotokos, of St. John the Baptist and of the Angels, followed by illuminating remarks of St. Nectarios of Aegina and Photios Kontoglou on iconographic "types" and "Archetypes." pb., 160 pp. HTF1456 $30.00
The Icon by Constantine Cavarnos Texts on the spiritual basis and purpose of holy icons by St. John Damascene and the Seventh Ecumenical Synod. 11 pp. IBM847 $3.00
The Icon A Window on the Kingdom by Michael
Quenot This brief yet highly descriptive history of iconography
includes discussion of the canons governing iconography, its
theological and biblical foundations and iconographic themes. 25
color photos and 34 illustrations. 176 pp. MES6374 $23.00
Icon Book Calendars These unique Icon Books
with extensive narration offer a wealth of historical and iconographic
information. The lower three inches of
the books are the calendar portion, based on Gregorian
Calendar dates, and can be removed. Each
book contains 24 colour icons in oversize format (11x14"),
spiral bound; 52 pp.,12" x 17". Earlier year calendars are no
longer available. 
Icons & Praise 4" x 111/2" calendar. Each month's page features a 6" x 4" icon, suitable for framing. Western dates and Feastdays. Card-stock, Spiral-bound.
An added supplement to An Iconographer's Patternbook and other patternbooks, these volumes, originally published in the late 19th century from ancient originals, contain drawn patterns and figures after classic and traditional models. Expert introductory and bibliographic information from G. Melnick, who also did An Icongrappher's Notebook. Many patterns of Christ and the Theotokos, especially in Volume 1. Both Volumes contain drawings of Saints of the Church. Excellent source book for the painter of Wedding icons (Christ and Theotokos) since one can pair up a set from the many types. Also, wonderful for Patron Saint or 'Family' icon groupings.
Icons A Sacred Art by
Linda Proud
Full colour throughout with a gloss finish, this is a beautifully illustrated, well-written introduction and guide to Orthodox iconography. 29 pp. OCB103 $9.00
On the Holy Icons by St. Theodore the Studite Written in the midst of the iconoclastic controversy of the 8th - 9th centuries, these essays affirm the incarnation and its meaning for icon veneration and life in Christ, focusing on the relation between the image and the prototype. 115 pp. MES6362 $14.50
Orthodox Iconography by Constantine Cavarnos Four essays dealing with history of Orthodox Christian iconography, the iconographic decoration of churches, the functions of holy icons, and the theology and aesthetics of Byzantine iconography. Three appendices contain authoritative early Christian texts on icons, explanations of the techniques of iconography, and a discussion of two Russian books on icons. 24 plates, 76 pp. IBM846 $9.00
The Painter's Manual of Dionysius of Fourna This detailed book is among the oldest of the 'Greek-style' narrative patternbooks and instruction texts extant. Includes introductory sections on icon painting techniques and describes hundreds of figures of saints, Old and New Testament events, parables, feast days decoration of churches, colour, etc. Detailed appendices. Compiled on Mt. Athos from 1730 - 1734, from ancient and current sources. Large format, 128 pp,. OP106 $30.00
Russian Church Singing Volume I: Orthodox Worship & Hymnography by Johann von Gardner This first volume examines the early history of Russian chant, the structure of Orthodox worship and the poetical forms of its hymnography. 146 pp. MES6372 $18.00
Russian Church Singing Volume 2: Orthodox Worship & Hymnography by Johann von Gardner, translated and edited by Dr. Vladimir Morosan. This second volume considers the development and practice of liturgical chant in the Russian lands from a variety of aspects: its origins and the various cultural influences upon its formation; extent manuscripts; the evolution of the notation and the problematics of deciphering it into modern-day notes; the forces involved in its performance; its stylistic evolution from exclusively monadic forms to improvised and, eventually, notated polyphony; its earliest known composers and performing ensembles; its aesthetics in relation to liturgy, the language, and the various problems that arose over the centuries, resulting in the adoption of Westernized stylistic models around the year 1650, which marks the approximate end of the time period covered in this volume. 396 pp., pb. MES6372 $33.00
Three Treatises on the Divine Images by St. John of Damascus translated by Andrew Louth Written during the 8th century as a brilliant defense against the iconoclast heresy. pb, 164 pp. MES6361 $14.50
What Orthodox Iconography Is by Photios Kontoglou An excellent article by the noted Greek iconographer, containing a concise explanation of the mystical and theological basis of icons vs. western religious paintings. 8 pp. SNP064 $.84
© 1999 Dormition Skete Orthodox Books and Items
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