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momtomany
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Yesterday we attended a Byzantine Church for Mass for the feast of St Nicholas. It was a wonderful, though very different experience from the Roman rite. I was really fascinated by the icons.
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for books on the symbolism of iconography. And/or a fairly simple book on the Eastern Catholic Church.
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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jdostalik
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Hi Mary Ann!
Wow, what a blessing to be able to attend the Divine Liturgy on St. Nicholas' feast day. I have a special devotion to St. Nick since my birthday is his feast day! 
I have become very devoted to the Eastern Rite spirituality over the last year. My best friend and godparents converted to Eastern Orthodoxy last year and that caused me to seek information about the Eastern Rite CATHOLIC church so we could continue to have some things in common to share about our faith.
I started a thread last summer in Living Faith called "Eastern Rite Catholicism." It has a lot of information packed in there that Victoria, Jenn and others shared. Victoria in AZ (I know you will chime in when you can, Victoria!  ) is an Eastern Rite Catholic and attends Mass in the Eastern Rite. She is a treasure trove of wonderful information about the Eastern branch of our beloved Catholic church.
Now onto recommendations...I have done a lot of research and there are a few books you might be interested in...
One is: Sacred Doorways: A Beginner's Guide to Icons. The Printery House site that sells this is a good source for Catholic icons and their site, I believe, even has some information online about icons.
Seton has 2 good books for using with your kids, as well,
here.
and here.
Hope some of this helps...Catherine Doherty's works and her Madonna House has books galore on Eastern Rite Catholicism written by Catherine herself and also by a great Eastern Rite bishop, Joseph Raya.
Have fun and I'd love to discuss this more but the kiddos are rioting.... 
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Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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Elizabeth
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Happy Birthday Jennifer! Here's a link to your hefty thread on Eastern Rite Catholicism.
Victoria, would you perhaps revive the thread and let us know what riches the Eastern Rite holds during Advent and Christmas?
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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momtomany
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Thanks Jennifer!
I ordered the books from Seton and can't wait to look at them. That Sacred Doorways book looks like something to ask for for Christmas!
I skimmed through that older thread. I wish that I had more time right now. The priest yesterday gave a short tour of the church (overwhelmingly beautiful) and the icons. They had beautiful handpainted Stations of the Cross too. It was truly amazing, the spiritualism, the symbolism, the reverence. I have been attending a Passionist Monastery parish which I really love, instead of my regular parish. I know that I would love to go back to the Byzantine Catholic one again too, especially for Lent.
Hopefully after all the happy busyness of Advent and Christmas, I will be able to read further on this.
BTW, Happy belated birthday!!
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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momtomany
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I forgot to mention the gates that had icons on them that separated the Holy Place (the sanctuary) from the rest of the Church. They were closed when Mass was not being offered. Only the priest was to open and close them, the priest, in persona Christi, opening the gates of Heaven. There were also side gates called deacon gates. I don't know if this is the norm in all Byzantine churches but they were quite beautiful.
Elizabeth, thanks for making it easier to find that thread!
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Mary Ann in PA
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momtomany
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For anyone following a rabbit trail on this, a friend of mine suggested this:
shrink art icons
They look interesting.
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Mary Ann in PA
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jdostalik
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Thanks for the birthday wishes, Mary Ann and Elizabeth...it was the big 4-0, so it was a bit dicey for me to get through, mentally! 
Mary Ann,
I have some of the shrink art icons and they are great, easy to use, and would make excellent ornaments for the Christmas tree or to hang in your windows as sun catchers..
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Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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momtomany
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jdostalik wrote:
Mary Ann,
I have some of the shrink art icons and they are great, easy to use, and would make excellent ornaments for the Christmas tree or to hang in your windows as sun catchers..
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I was thinking of getting them. Thanks for the recommnendation.
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Mary Ann in PA
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momtomany
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Jennifer, I just realized that you have an icon for your avatar! 
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Mary Ann in PA
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jdostalik
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Yeah, isn't my avatar great? I finally got my dh to download one for me a few weeks ago...I'd been asking him for ages but he's a busy man! 
The icon is Christ, Ruler of All, known as Christ Pantocrator...
A very brief explanation of the icon is here.
Victoria has a lovely one, too, of Mary, (the Theotokos, greek for God-bearer)....
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Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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Victoria in AZ
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Hi, Mary Ann, looks like your questions regarding book suggestions have been very-well answered. I agree that the Seton icon books make a great start; thank you Jennifer! One of my favorite things to relay about icons is that Jesus presented us with the very first icon. This is when he gave His image to Veronica on the veil he used to wipe His face.
Elizabeth (and others who are interested) the Eastern Advent lasts six weeks, just as Lent does. Advent is to be a time of fasting (no meat or dairy), but this is not under the penalty of sin. Dec. 6 is a feast day of St. Nicholas. I love this hymn to St. Nicholas
O who loves Nicholas the saintly,
O who serves Nicholas the saintly,
Him will Nicholas receive,
And give help in time of need:
Holy Father Nicholas
Yes, Mary Ann, the icon screen is the norm in Byzantine and all Orthodox churches. Doesn't it highlight the extreme holiness of what is taking place on the altar? The only time a female would go behind the screen is as an infant during Baptism. I have a treasured photo of my newborn dd being raised to Our Lord behind the icon screen.
Happy 4-0 Jennifer. I could not wait to turn 40 (nearly two years ago); it was a funny thing about me. I somehow knew my 40's would be a special time and they have been!
I agree, Mary Ann, maybe after Christmas we can talk more!
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! (traditional Eastern greeting)
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Your sister in Christ,
Victoria in AZ
dh Mike 24 yrs; ds Kyle 18; dd Katie 12; and one funny pug
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momtomany
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Victoria, what a beautiful thought, the veil of Veronica being the first icon!
I know that I am getting Sacred Doorways for Christmas from dh. Can't wait to enjoy it!!!
I would love to talk more about this after the holidays!
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Mary Ann in PA
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Icons
