Gazing on God – Trinity, Church and Salvation in Orthodox Thought and
Iconography is Fr. Andreas Andreopoulos’ new book, published by James
Clarke & Co (2013). This book discusses Orthodox theology, having the icon
at the centre of analysis. This exhibition points out the richness of
iconography, of symbolism and of the Orthodox tradition.
In the first part of the book the
author attempts to explain his position and give a background exegesis, before
continuing his examination. Pointing out his Greek heritage, he then achieves
an analysis of his topic based on this reality. The Theology of Experience, is
therefore, formed within this book. In order to explain Christian truths, the
author depletes ancient Greek traditions, practices, plays, philosophical
thoughts and ideas. This is a reality that we can observe since the beginning
of Christianity; however, the author here points out a further relationship
between ancient Greek plays and philosophy with the liturgical life and
understanding of the Church. That is why he comprehends, for example, the
Divine Liturgy as being a Tragedy, having ‘a dramatic structure’ (p. 39).
The author wishes to exhibit a number
of important but also unusual icons, rarely found in Churches around the world.
Fr. Andreas discusses and explains the Crucifixion, the Descent into Hades, the
Protection of the Theotokos, the Life-Giving Fountain, the Burning Bush, the
Bogolubskaya, and the most unusual icon to be seen, i.e. the All-Seeing Eye of
God. Through this analysis the significance and centrality of icons is
depicted, showing how Orthodox theology is symbolised and explained through the
iconography of the Church.
The final chapter gives an
extensive meta-linguistic theological methodology, where authors such as
Dostoyevsky and Papadiamantis are analysed and explained, in order to show that
theology is also argued, even within literature. The final sentence, the final
proposal, given to us by the author might seem prophetic, whereby he explains
that: ‘the theology of the future will be written as poetry’ (p. 153). This is
an important book for whoever is interested in Orthodox theology and
iconography, whilst also being a significant source of Eastern Christian
spirituality.
Revd Dr Andreas Andreopoulos is
Reader in Orthodox Theology at the University of Winchester and an Orthodox priest.
He is also the author of This is my
Beloved Son: The Transfiguration of Christ, 2012, Art as Theology: From the Postmodern to the Medieval, 2007, The Sign of the Cross: The Gesture, the
Mystery, the History, 2006, and Metamorphosis:
The Transfiguration in Byzantine Theology and Iconography, 2005.
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