Heroes of the Icon

Iconography and holiness are closely related, as much by the object itself, that is the painted images, as by the person who produces it. The transfiguring mystery of Christ, "operating holiness" we can call it, fills both. It is therefore very natural that the Church would recognize certain iconographers as saints. Two ideas, diversity of spiritual gifts, and individual progress towards holiness, are very naturally brought together in iconography. The result is a perfect marriage between a very personal, spiritual gift and the opening of the artist to God: in other words, a holy iconographer. - Fr Steven Bigham, from the Introduction This is a book that needs to be read by both Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. This is especially true because of the wide interest in Christian Iconography among both groups. But perhaps the group that will find this book most useful of all will be the increasingly large number of converts to the Orthodox Church. Many things are being written about icons and iconography right now and some of them are of questionable value and validity. Fr Bigham has produced a book that is grounded solidly in Orthodox Christian theology, and represents the best in Orthodox tradition.