Icons in the Western Church

Toward a More Sacramental Encounter

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Inspiration & Meditation, Prayer, Christianity, General Christianity
Cover of the book Icons in the Western Church by Jeana Visel OSB, Liturgical Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jeana Visel OSB ISBN: 9780814646847
Publisher: Liturgical Press Publication: September 6, 2016
Imprint: Liturgical Press Language: English
Author: Jeana Visel OSB
ISBN: 9780814646847
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Publication: September 6, 2016
Imprint: Liturgical Press
Language: English

Within the Eastern tradition of Christianity, the eikon, or religious image, has long held a place of honor. In the greater part of Western Christianity, however, discomfort with images in worship, both statues and panel icons, has been a relatively common current, particularly since the Reformation. In the Roman Catholic Church, after years of using religious statues, the Second Vatican Council’s call for “noble simplicity” in many cases led to a stripping of images that in some ways helped refocus attention on the eucharistic celebration itself but also led to a starkness that has left many Roman Catholics unsure of how to interact with the saints or with religious images at all.
Today, Western interest in panel icons has been rising, yet we lack standards of quality or catechesis on what to do with them. This book makes the case that icons should have a role to play in the Western Church that goes beyond mere decoration. Citing theological and ecumenical reasons, Visel argues that, with regard to use of icons, the post–Vatican II Roman Catholic Church needs to give greater respect to the Eastern tradition. While Roman Catholics may never interact with icons in quite the same way that Eastern Christians do, we do need to come to terms with what icons are and how we should encounter them.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Within the Eastern tradition of Christianity, the eikon, or religious image, has long held a place of honor. In the greater part of Western Christianity, however, discomfort with images in worship, both statues and panel icons, has been a relatively common current, particularly since the Reformation. In the Roman Catholic Church, after years of using religious statues, the Second Vatican Council’s call for “noble simplicity” in many cases led to a stripping of images that in some ways helped refocus attention on the eucharistic celebration itself but also led to a starkness that has left many Roman Catholics unsure of how to interact with the saints or with religious images at all.
Today, Western interest in panel icons has been rising, yet we lack standards of quality or catechesis on what to do with them. This book makes the case that icons should have a role to play in the Western Church that goes beyond mere decoration. Citing theological and ecumenical reasons, Visel argues that, with regard to use of icons, the post–Vatican II Roman Catholic Church needs to give greater respect to the Eastern tradition. While Roman Catholics may never interact with icons in quite the same way that Eastern Christians do, we do need to come to terms with what icons are and how we should encounter them.

More books from Liturgical Press

Cover of the book A Soul-Centered Life by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Paul Farmer by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Through the Dark Field by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Prayer in the Cave of the Heart by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Desert Banquet by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Reflections on St. Francis by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Leviticus by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Living Mission Interculturally by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Blessed Among Us by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book The Gospel According To Luke by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book A Not-So-Unexciting Life by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Waiting in Joyful Hope by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book The Dominican Tradition by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Paul, Proclaiming Christ Crucified by Jeana Visel OSB
Cover of the book Sacra Pagina: Second Corinthians by Jeana Visel OSB
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy