A Visual Catechism of the Orthodox Church

by Hierotheos Vlachos, Esther Williams (Translator)

A unique and handsome catechism of the Orthodox Christian faith, helpful to young children, older children, and adults. Most of the book consists of full-page illustrations with one simple sentence of text in large print, sequentially numbered. The illustrations are in soft pastel colors in a style reminiscent of Byzantine iconography and are often patterned after well-known icons, but are somewhat simplified for the child. (The artist is an iconographer in Greece). The art is unmistakably Orthodox and of high quality, but clearly done for children. The numbers correspond to paragraphs of text in latter part of the book which explore that theme in much greater depth. Thus it can be used a picture book for preschoolers and beginning readers, while parents and teachers of older children may either read the extended texts to the children or make use of these texts to prepare their own explanations. This catechism covers the biblical stories and themes contained in the Nicene Creed, as well as basics about the Church, the sacraments, and the Christian life.
-Source

Genres: Theology

97 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

His Eminence Hierotheos, Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlassios in Greece, is regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the Orthodox spiritual life. A prolific writer, he has authored more than fifteen books, many of which have been translated into English. His Eminence’s theological vision may be summed up in the following quotation, taken from his The Science of Spiritual Medicine: “The whole therapeutic method of the Orthodox Church is not aimed simply at making human beings morally and socially balanced, but at re-establishing their relationship with God and one another. This comes about through the healing of the soul's wounds and the cure of the passions through the Sacraments and the Church's ascetic practice.”

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the visuals. simple.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of the book was good, and the book may have some good use, but I wasn't captivated by the book. The first half of the book consists of an iconographic cartoon on each page with a one line description of the graphic. It is meant to be a catechism for very young children. The book's second half is a longer theological explanation with no art of the images/ideas presented in the book's first half.

[Melinda Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated (all the people in the icon-style illustrations are white), but it's a good basic summary of the faith.