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The Open Door: Entering the Sanctuary of Icons and Prayer
Views the icons that would be found in a typical contemporary Orthodox church, explains their history and theology, and shows how icons can be used as a natural part of a worshiper's devotional life.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 27, 2011
This book walks the reader through a set of icons that are commonly used in Orthodox Churches. For someone not "in the know" about icons, this was a helpful book. It is interesting to me that icons, which have similarities to stain glass windows, were originally "written" because Christians at that time were not always literate. They provided Bible stories in visual form, and a way to focus devotional prayer time if you didn't have a Bible available to read for yourself. Yet now this book provides a way to read an icon, and understand what is going on. To learn how to read something that is not word based, I need to read a book.
One item about icons that I did not know, if an event happened inside, the icon is "written" (Icons are not painted, they are written because the communicate God's word) with a drape of cloth across the top. Therefore the Annunciation where Gabriel comes to tell Mary that she will become pregnant, has a canopy over Mary.... thus signifying that Mary was inside when Gabriel appeared to her.
One item about icons that I did not know, if an event happened inside, the icon is "written" (Icons are not painted, they are written because the communicate God's word) with a drape of cloth across the top. Therefore the Annunciation where Gabriel comes to tell Mary that she will become pregnant, has a canopy over Mary.... thus signifying that Mary was inside when Gabriel appeared to her.
July 12, 2024
A helpful introduction to icons, beautifully written. At some points I wished for more detail on the last group of icons discussed, but I enjoyed it. And this is a beautiful quote:
“As you continue to approach icons, come with an open heart, seeking to understand, and aware that you already "have been fully understood" (1 Cor. 13:12). Because a window has this distinctive feature: you can look through it from both sides.” - Frederica Mathewes-Green
“As you continue to approach icons, come with an open heart, seeking to understand, and aware that you already "have been fully understood" (1 Cor. 13:12). Because a window has this distinctive feature: you can look through it from both sides.” - Frederica Mathewes-Green
January 17, 2023
A lovely introduction to icons and how they function in Orthodox worship that I would recommend to anyone wanting to understand the Church. I wish it had included more about how to really look at icons themselves, but I appreciated that this book placed them in context, unlike any art history treatment.
January 8, 2025
This a simple, easy to understand read from Mathew’s-Green on icons in the Orthodox Church. With her being a convert herself her writings often touch on things that inquirers of the church may be facing. This would be a good read for those that are becoming Orthodox or those that are just curious about things of the Orthodox Church.
August 6, 2020
3.75*
recommended by an Othodox priest.
Very good at explaining iconography, in this specific setting, and these specific icons, but also generally, as well as, unintentionally I think, the idea of saints and such, to someone who grew up with a very saint and icon averse denomination.
recommended by an Othodox priest.
Very good at explaining iconography, in this specific setting, and these specific icons, but also generally, as well as, unintentionally I think, the idea of saints and such, to someone who grew up with a very saint and icon averse denomination.
October 19, 2024
The color plates are not included in the Kindle version! Not happy about that.
The book cites three other books I own and read before this one.
I like her giving us a tour of a church and showing the usage; that was unique to this book.
The book cites three other books I own and read before this one.
I like her giving us a tour of a church and showing the usage; that was unique to this book.
January 16, 2019
A quick read but great info on many of the more prominent icons that are used in the Church.
March 11, 2015
Icons are strange. To an outsider, they are certainly among the most foreign aspects of Orthodox spirituality and praxis. The strangeness is only magnified by their centrality: these aren’t simply decorations or “devotional aids.” They get at something central to Orthodoxy: the intersection of the physical with the divine. The Orthodox Church devotes an entire feast to their celebration, and every other feastday, indeed every Sunday, they figure prominently. Understanding icons and why they play such a central role (especially when prayers before them touch at a fundamental divide between Orthodox Christianity and American evangelicalism) is thus key to gaining insights into Orthodoxy itself. In The Open Door: Entering the Sanctuary of Icons and Prayer, Frederica Mathewes-Green offers an accessible, engaging, and conciliatory glimpse into this world.
This is not a scholarly, historical, or theological treatise about icons, though those books have been written and Mathewes-Green offers references to some in a succinct list at the book’s conclusion. Instead, her work is much more a short devotional guide. Indeed, there is no introductory essay explaining or setting the context for icons in Church worship. She begins by inviting us into a church, and the book is the process of her introducing and reflecting on various famous icons (four of which are illustrated in color plates at the book’s center, whereas the rest are unfortunately black and white). The subtitle well illustrates her approach. She’s introducing the physical and spiritual space of Orthodox worship. Indeed, the book begins with a diagram of an Orthodox church, showing where the various icons are usually displayed. We’re given both a tour of the church’s interior architecture as well as the cycle of the church year itself, as some icons are fixed in space whereas others make their appearance at specific times throughout the church calendar.
The book is light reading in one sense. The chapters are short, and the book itself quite thin. But it’s not meant to be read straight through. Instead, it might function best as a devotional primer, with the reader reading and then reflecting on each individual chapter. These are images that have been vital to the life of the church for hundreds of years, in some cases over a thousand years. Each chapter is a response to an icon, accompanied by scripture, hymnology, and prayers. Certain chapters are used as vehicles for explaining church doctrine, as for instance the second chapter on the Virgin of Vladimir in which Mathewes-Green addresses and explains the Orthodox view of prayers before icons as well as to the Theotokos herself. Throughout, the tone is inclusive: she’s not writing for an Orthodox audience alone.
Icons are certainly mystical-- as mystical as any truly physical thing is, a wonder of pigment and surface and reality. If you’ve ever been in an Orthodox church (or the home of an Orthodox friend) and been curious about these images and their use-- not simply the theology or history behind them but looking for more of a glimpse of what may go on in the mind of the person standing before them-- this book is indeed an open door.
This is not a scholarly, historical, or theological treatise about icons, though those books have been written and Mathewes-Green offers references to some in a succinct list at the book’s conclusion. Instead, her work is much more a short devotional guide. Indeed, there is no introductory essay explaining or setting the context for icons in Church worship. She begins by inviting us into a church, and the book is the process of her introducing and reflecting on various famous icons (four of which are illustrated in color plates at the book’s center, whereas the rest are unfortunately black and white). The subtitle well illustrates her approach. She’s introducing the physical and spiritual space of Orthodox worship. Indeed, the book begins with a diagram of an Orthodox church, showing where the various icons are usually displayed. We’re given both a tour of the church’s interior architecture as well as the cycle of the church year itself, as some icons are fixed in space whereas others make their appearance at specific times throughout the church calendar.
The book is light reading in one sense. The chapters are short, and the book itself quite thin. But it’s not meant to be read straight through. Instead, it might function best as a devotional primer, with the reader reading and then reflecting on each individual chapter. These are images that have been vital to the life of the church for hundreds of years, in some cases over a thousand years. Each chapter is a response to an icon, accompanied by scripture, hymnology, and prayers. Certain chapters are used as vehicles for explaining church doctrine, as for instance the second chapter on the Virgin of Vladimir in which Mathewes-Green addresses and explains the Orthodox view of prayers before icons as well as to the Theotokos herself. Throughout, the tone is inclusive: she’s not writing for an Orthodox audience alone.
Icons are certainly mystical-- as mystical as any truly physical thing is, a wonder of pigment and surface and reality. If you’ve ever been in an Orthodox church (or the home of an Orthodox friend) and been curious about these images and their use-- not simply the theology or history behind them but looking for more of a glimpse of what may go on in the mind of the person standing before them-- this book is indeed an open door.
October 23, 2013
Another book by Mathewes-Green. The chapter on the icon of The Virgin of Vladimir is worth reading the whole book for.
"It's been said that all icons are ultimately icons of Christ. When we look at Mary or a saint we see the power of the One who saved and transformed them, who works in history, who turns ordinary humans into saints. And Mary is an ordinary human. Ordinary, that is, in the sense that she had normal human DNA, was born the same way we were, and like us ate and drank and slept. She's not a demigod or mythological composite figure, part human and part divine. But she's an extraordinary human, too, in the way anyone can be who let's the light of Christ fill him or her completely.
This icon of Mary, then, tells the story of what God accomplished in her, and how he transformed her to be the bearer of His Son. She did in a literal wY what we each hope to do spiritually, to be filled with Christ's presence. Often in ancient hymns she is compared to the burning bush, wholly on fire with the presence of God and yet unconsumed. Though the power of the most high has overshadowed her, she is still fully herself, intact and un compromised. Mary is set before us as a preeminent example, showing us how this transformation looks in practice in one ordinary, extraordinary life."
"It's been said that all icons are ultimately icons of Christ. When we look at Mary or a saint we see the power of the One who saved and transformed them, who works in history, who turns ordinary humans into saints. And Mary is an ordinary human. Ordinary, that is, in the sense that she had normal human DNA, was born the same way we were, and like us ate and drank and slept. She's not a demigod or mythological composite figure, part human and part divine. But she's an extraordinary human, too, in the way anyone can be who let's the light of Christ fill him or her completely.
This icon of Mary, then, tells the story of what God accomplished in her, and how he transformed her to be the bearer of His Son. She did in a literal wY what we each hope to do spiritually, to be filled with Christ's presence. Often in ancient hymns she is compared to the burning bush, wholly on fire with the presence of God and yet unconsumed. Though the power of the most high has overshadowed her, she is still fully herself, intact and un compromised. Mary is set before us as a preeminent example, showing us how this transformation looks in practice in one ordinary, extraordinary life."
April 13, 2011
I am pretty sure that I have read this book before, but it was good to revisit what Mathewes-Green has to say. Thanks to her, I think I am becoming more comfortable with these beautiful works of art. They are, of course, more than just art, they are aids to prayer. The perspectives and style are just odd to my eyes.
Mathewes-Green was not born to Orthodoxy, but apparently converted as an adult. She understands the Western view of icons and can bridge the gap between our understanding and the Eastern orthodox church practices. I found her explanations of the use of icons very helpful. Having pictures of actual icons makes the book especially informative.
I will say that if you know much about icons this book is not for you. This is a very simple explanation of icons and some of the practices of eastern orthodoxy.
I am not sure who I would recommend this book to. The reader would have to have some interest in religion and not much knowledge of eastern orthodoxy. If you had no background in Christianity, this might be hard to follow.
Mathewes-Green was not born to Orthodoxy, but apparently converted as an adult. She understands the Western view of icons and can bridge the gap between our understanding and the Eastern orthodox church practices. I found her explanations of the use of icons very helpful. Having pictures of actual icons makes the book especially informative.
I will say that if you know much about icons this book is not for you. This is a very simple explanation of icons and some of the practices of eastern orthodoxy.
I am not sure who I would recommend this book to. The reader would have to have some interest in religion and not much knowledge of eastern orthodoxy. If you had no background in Christianity, this might be hard to follow.
August 29, 2013
This book was a wonderful down-to-earth, easy-to-read little introduction to the world of Orthodox icons, Orthodox worship, and Orthodox ways of thinking. Frederica has such a warm, conversational writing style that makes one feel as if they are having a one to one conversation with a friend. In this book, as she gives us a little tour of the most universal icons, she brings us into the Orthodox temple throughout the year and lets us glimpse the worship life of the people. I, for one, was riveted and longed to enter in myself and be part of this ancient faith and church life.
The book is a very good introduction to the ideas around Orthodox icons, and has a mix of color and black/white pictures to refer to as the author is speaking about them. I really appreciated her pointing out what the details of these works of art mean. It helped me enter in more fully and start to appreciate this ancient way of living the faith more fully.
The book is a very good introduction to the ideas around Orthodox icons, and has a mix of color and black/white pictures to refer to as the author is speaking about them. I really appreciated her pointing out what the details of these works of art mean. It helped me enter in more fully and start to appreciate this ancient way of living the faith more fully.
January 9, 2013
This is a survey of the major icons in the Orthodox faith. There's a heavy emphasis on the physical artwork (she frequently analyzes the use of perspective, color, and medium). I liked the imagery that Mathewes-Green used as she explains what the inside of a church might look like at the times of year that these icons would be heavily emphasized. The book includes color or B&W images of each icon surveyed, which is helpful to the reader unfamiliar with them. In hindsight, I think I flipped back and forth too frequently between the images and Mathewes-Green's prose. I probably should have read the chapters in their entirety before studying the icon image or vice versa. I would also recommend that the reader have at least set foot in an Orthodox church before reading this text. My singular experience inside one helped tremendously as I read.
Would read again.
Would read again.
February 20, 2012
I loved this little book, as always Frederica Mathews-Green gives me much to meditate upon. "We don't have a religion that teaches a separation between Holy Stuff and the rest of life; everything belongs to Him and is filled with His presence - even something as basic, simple, and ordinary as water." The book also increased my desire to visit St. Catherine's monastery on Mt. Sinai, maybe one of these days...
September 1, 2008
I read this several years ago as I was preparing to enter the Orthodox Church. I also read it to my children to help them understand the place icons hold in the Eastern Church.
The Open Door is an excellent resource for Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. The author takes a gentle, "this is what we do in an Orthodox church..", approach to teaching about icons.
The Open Door is an excellent resource for Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. The author takes a gentle, "this is what we do in an Orthodox church..", approach to teaching about icons.
January 30, 2011
This was an approachable and touching introduction to the place of icons in the life of faith of the people in the Orthodox tradition of Christianity. The author was wise to present icons through the device of accompanying worshipers through a church year. The color and black and white plates in the book are a great aid to appreciating the peaceful and transcendent beauty of icons.
January 21, 2012
A good and enjoyable first icon book, very inspirational. Gives some of the basic Icon stories and manages to interest folks into reading more.
December 19, 2011
Excellent introduction to the major feasts and icons of the Orthodox Church year.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews