Praying with Icons

By: Jim Forest

$28.00

Overview

"Recent years have seen a marked increase in the popular and ecumenical appeal of icons (for centuries an integral feature of Orthodox Christianity). Jim Forest's Praying With Icons offers a simple introduction to the tradition of icons with special emphasis on their practical function in the spiritual life. Beautifully illustrated both with color plans and b/w photography, Praying With Icons begins with a history of iconography. Icons are not simply illustrations or "art" in the usual sense, but aids to prayer and contemplation, windows on the divine. Forest also provides a personal and practical guide to how one prays with icons. Forest then concludes with a series of meditative reflections on some of the most typical icons, including the Annunciation, the Nativity, Christ's Baptism, the Transfiguration, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, representations of Mary, the trinity, and the Saints. Praying With Icons is a superlative introduction to icons and is highly recommended for readers seeking to expand their spiritual experience to encompass the entire Christian spiritual legacy. "--Midwest Book Review

First published ten years ago, Praying with Icons has been widely recognized as a modern spiritual classic. Both for Orthodox readers familiar with this tradition as well as newcomers, Forest describes the history and theology behind icons, how they are made, and how they are used as a guide to prayer. Finally, he offers a moving series of reflections on a range of classic icons.

This revised edition is enhanced by a rich new selection of full-color illustrations.

Jim Forest (1941-2022), a co-founder of the Catholic Peace Fellowship, was author of many Orbis books, including All Is Grace, Living with Wisdom, At Play in the Lions' Den and Eyes of Compassion (his biographies of peacemakers Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Daniel Berrigan, and Thich Naht Hanh). His other bestselling titles include Praying with Icons, The Ladder of the Beatitudes, and Writing Straight with Crooked Lines: A Memoir.

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