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Anastasis: The Harrowing of Hades
Alternate cover edition can be found here.
What happened to the Old Testament righteous before Christ's descent into Hades? Did the devil know that Christ is the Son of God? Orthodox Christian traditions surrounding Christ's descent never fail to highlight its importance, but how does it impact believers today?
"Harrowing of Hades" is a full-colour comic book that explores the emotional build-up to the fateful crucifixion and the consequences of Christ's enigmatic descent into Hades. You will find this book packed with biblical references, writings from the Church fathers (Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Ephrem the Syrian and more!), and gripping storytelling.
While we don't have conclusive details on what took place over the three days Christ spent in the tomb, this book is an honest take on what might've transpired and what it means for us today.
What happened to the Old Testament righteous before Christ's descent into Hades? Did the devil know that Christ is the Son of God? Orthodox Christian traditions surrounding Christ's descent never fail to highlight its importance, but how does it impact believers today?
"Harrowing of Hades" is a full-colour comic book that explores the emotional build-up to the fateful crucifixion and the consequences of Christ's enigmatic descent into Hades. You will find this book packed with biblical references, writings from the Church fathers (Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Ephrem the Syrian and more!), and gripping storytelling.
While we don't have conclusive details on what took place over the three days Christ spent in the tomb, this book is an honest take on what might've transpired and what it means for us today.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2017
23 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Michael Elgamal
11 books9 followersMichael Elgamal is a Canadian writer and artist. He started the popular "Creative Orthodox" blog to tell and retell stories of ancient Christianity. Michael lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife Margie. He's currently working on a graphic novel about Saint John the Short.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 16, 2022
Reviewing the Resurrection
Salvific history unwinds slowly and mystically from the perspective of "those in the tombs" as they await Christ's coming and resurrection. _Anastasis: The Harrowing of Hades_ is an imaginative, thoughtful, and artistic portrayal of one of the more mysterious events in the Christian narrative, namely Christ's descent into hell. This is the first graphic novel I've ever read so I don't have much to compare it to, but I enjoyed the unique premise and creativity.
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TITLE: Anastasis: The Harrowing of Hades
BY: Michael Elgamal/ @creativeorthodox (2017)
DATE FINISHED: March 1, 2022 (by a strange coincidence, the date I read this book was the 5th anniversary of March 1, 2017, the date the author originally began working on the script and design of the book, which he explains in the Introduction.)
FORMAT: Ebook (@Scribd)
PAGES: 52
GENRE: Graphic novel, religious historical fiction
**Book number 7 of #RoccasReads2022**
Salvific history unwinds slowly and mystically from the perspective of "those in the tombs" as they await Christ's coming and resurrection. _Anastasis: The Harrowing of Hades_ is an imaginative, thoughtful, and artistic portrayal of one of the more mysterious events in the Christian narrative, namely Christ's descent into hell. This is the first graphic novel I've ever read so I don't have much to compare it to, but I enjoyed the unique premise and creativity.
-----
TITLE: Anastasis: The Harrowing of Hades
BY: Michael Elgamal/ @creativeorthodox (2017)
DATE FINISHED: March 1, 2022 (by a strange coincidence, the date I read this book was the 5th anniversary of March 1, 2017, the date the author originally began working on the script and design of the book, which he explains in the Introduction.)
FORMAT: Ebook (@Scribd)
PAGES: 52
GENRE: Graphic novel, religious historical fiction
**Book number 7 of #RoccasReads2022**
May 2, 2023
An intriguing extra-biblical story (that is, inspired by scripture and early church history). Enjoyed it for what it is: a work meant to draw you into greater appreciation for Christ.
April 24, 2019
Reread Anastasis this week and noticed many things I hadn't before. Such a rich and unique work. I love that it pulls from many text and art sources and re-presents the story of the Harrowing of Hades in a modern format. My sons absolutely love reading it, too. Worth the purchase for this one!
July 30, 2018
Being Orthodox, I am glad this book exists; I'm grateful Elgamal made it. I sincerely root for this author--I admire his dedication and choice of subject matter. However, in terms of storytelling, tone, draftsmanship, and formal concerns, this book is pretty bad. :( If you're looking for Orthodox material for a young reader, your choices are pretty slim and this is an okay choice, especially if they're into comics. If you are a grown-up comics enthusiast, this does not stack up to most mainstream graphic novels.
I will continue rooting for Elgamal and hope that he seeks out and welcomes substantial critique and continues to improve his craft.
I will continue rooting for Elgamal and hope that he seeks out and welcomes substantial critique and continues to improve his craft.
October 26, 2022
I bought this for my family this year (2022), and was blown away by how powerful it was to think about the resurrection from the perspective of those waiting for Christ in Hades. By the end I was in tears because of how beautiful it was (and the first time I read it was during the Pascha season, so we were in the middle of the joy of the resurrection). Highly recommend.
May 8, 2017
A Great Read!
This little book is beautifully illustrated and chock full of Scripture, depicting the days leading up to Christ's descent into Hades, where He trampled down death by His own death.
This little book is beautifully illustrated and chock full of Scripture, depicting the days leading up to Christ's descent into Hades, where He trampled down death by His own death.
November 18, 2020
This graphic novel actually gave me chills. It is a good learning point for many Protestants the say a creed that says,”he descended into hell and on the third day rose again”. Very short, yet well documented. Very enjoyable
April 8, 2023
A good visualization of a ancient teaching
The drawings are appropriate, and I appreciate the prayerful inspiration. The harrowing of he'll has long intrigued me. It makes sense as dynamic change comes to the dead.
The drawings are appropriate, and I appreciate the prayerful inspiration. The harrowing of he'll has long intrigued me. It makes sense as dynamic change comes to the dead.
August 20, 2024
Perfect for Holy Saturday
A wonderful work. This graphic novel is perfect, I absolutely loved it. This graphic novel is great for for kids and teenagers. Even adults would enjoy it. Especially for holy saturday after the Vesperal Liturgy
A wonderful work. This graphic novel is perfect, I absolutely loved it. This graphic novel is great for for kids and teenagers. Even adults would enjoy it. Especially for holy saturday after the Vesperal Liturgy
February 16, 2025
Great job
Review by our 10yo--love the plot and descriptions, but It needs better artwork. Overall, it was a great book and great story, but because of this tiny detail, I can't rate it perfectly. Otherwise, it's perfect 👌.
Review by our 10yo--love the plot and descriptions, but It needs better artwork. Overall, it was a great book and great story, but because of this tiny detail, I can't rate it perfectly. Otherwise, it's perfect 👌.
March 30, 2025
Beautiful!
What an amazing work, perfect to read during Lent. This book made the story of Christ’s victory over death more understandable and approachable. My kids really enjoyed it as well!
What an amazing work, perfect to read during Lent. This book made the story of Christ’s victory over death more understandable and approachable. My kids really enjoyed it as well!
July 9, 2017
Love it!
I really enjoyed this artwork as an adult. Clearly defined nothing confusing or cluttered. It really helps me visually how it happens.
I really enjoyed this artwork as an adult. Clearly defined nothing confusing or cluttered. It really helps me visually how it happens.
December 1, 2017
Great book to have
Love the storytelling. The visualisation helps in understanding God's design for salvation and how are lives need to be righteous in Him
Love the storytelling. The visualisation helps in understanding God's design for salvation and how are lives need to be righteous in Him
April 26, 2021
Not really a graphic novel person...but thought it was well done! Great connectivity between scripture and iconography with this short book! Bravo!
February 12, 2021
Really wonderful take on the resurrection story and what happened under the ground while the above ground waited for the messiah to arise again. Would be five stars if the art was a little more detailed and clear, though I understand it may have been a stylistic choice to depict the realm of shadows in a shadowy, ethereal way.
July 28, 2025
Incredible telling of "what may have happened" in hell during Christ's death, descent into hell, and resurrection, using an enormous amount of Scripture and quotes from the Church Fathers. Beautifully done and connects a few dots along the way.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews