Art

Churches up and down the United Kingdom have some remarkable collections of the most exquisitely embroidered clothing which are part of our hidden heritage. Our cathedrals hold in their treasuries some of the most beautiful textile pieces ever produced in Europe and beyond. There is a whole fascinating history to these priestly vestments and how they developed for use in our churches here in Britain and the West of Europe. This book touches on the tradition and mysticism which surrounds church vestments and the role these garments continue to play in the 'theatre' of church, how colour and ornament were and are still used as visual symbols of Christian faith. Sarah Bailey explores both historical and contemporary production of clerical vestments including some of the practicalities of design, the symbolism of colour, the sourcing of fabrics and the embroiderers themselves.

TOC: Introduction /The London Season /Origins and 'rules' /The ritual of court presentation /How to be a debutante /Parties /Famous debutantes /The last debutantes /Index

An updated and modernized edition of the unparalleled classic with resurgent relevance for the twenty-first century

Foxe's Book of Martyrs is one of the most influential and well-known books in history, as well as one of the top-sellers of the past, right up there with the Bible itself. Immensely popular in Foxe's own sixteenth century, its influence has been felt throughout literature. Copies of the original text (Acts and Monuments) were chained beside the Bible in churches of England, and even sailed with English pirates.

This was not a book designed to comfort, but instead to present the truth of the persecution faced by Protestant Christians in hostile environments. The inscription from the 1563 edition--now commonly known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs--indicates the gravity of the task: "[In] latter and perilous days . . . the great persecutions and horrible troubles . . . [are here] gathered and collected according to true copies and writings . . . of the parties themselves that suffered." Foxe was committed to commemorating the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the sake of their faith.

Paul L. Maier brings his exceptional mind for history to bear on Foxe's work in this new edition. While abridgement of the original 2,100 pages was necessary, Maier does include every martyr, and text was changed only where modern readers may not readily understand the original archaic wording.

John Foxe (1516-1587) was an academic and zealous student of the Scriptures, leading to his persecution as a Protestant by the Catholic rulers of his day. Beyond his work in pastoral ministry, Foxe continued to work on his martyrology until his death.

The world's greatest poetry resides in the Bible, yet these major poets are traditionally rendered into prose. In this pioneering volume of biblical poets translated in English, Willis Barnstone restores the lyricism and power of the poets' voices in both the New and Old Testaments. In the Hebrew Bible we hear Solomon rhapsodize in Song of Songs, David chant in Psalms, God and Job debate in grand rhetoric, and prophet poet Isaiah plead for peace. Jesus speaks in wisdom verse in the Gospel, Paul is a philosopher of love, and John of Patmos roars majestically in Revelation, the Bible's epic poem. This groundbreaking volume includes every major biblical poem from Genesis and Adam and Eve in the Garden to the last pages of Alpha and Omega in Paradise.

For all those who wish they understood more about the meaning behind religious icons, Sacred Doorways will serve as an essential guidebook.

For centuries, icons, known as "sacred doorways" into the spiritual world, have been a central part of worship in the Eastern Orthodox Church. But more recently, people of all faith traditions have become intrigued by the beauty and mystery of icons. Today, icons can be found in churches of various denominations, and viewed in museums around the world.

Linette Martin explains the history of religious icons, the materials and techniques used in creating them, and the visual language of icons. But beyond providing a historical and artistic background, Martin also writes as a fellow spiritual pilgrim, enriching our understanding of the Orthodox spirituality that is celebrated and expressed through this ancient art form.