Mirrors of the Soul: The Ancient Icons of Karelia   Manufacturer: Pauline Books & Media Item Number: GC003 Category: Calendars, etc Price: $24.95 USD
REDUCED TO $24.95! This production is both a book about icons and an icon calendar. In that the calendar portion of each page (i.e. the lower portion) is detachable, and the book is spiral bound, once you are done using it as a calendar, you remove the calendar poriton of each page and are left with a magnificent book on the icons of the Karelian region of Russia. Each month is divided into two parts: that is, has two full color plates and calendar portions, so the entire book is comprised of 24 full color plates with accompanying commentary. The calendar portion follows the Gregorian calendar with mainly Western (Catholic) saints listed, but also the main Feast days of the Eastern (Orthodox) liturgical year, and both Gregorian and Julian dates for feasts celebrated on both Old and New Calendar dates. Read the comments of a customer: What initially attracted me to the calendar was the name - "Mirrors of the Soul" has a mystical ring to it, and is thus particularly appropriate for a calendar of ikons. The fact that it's convertible to a book to keep after the year is over is an added plus. I wasn't sure how it would work as a book but having had time for a leisurely read I find it works very well. The perforations at top and bottom, allowing the calendar part to be easily discarded at the end of the year, are practical and efficient, while the general notes on ikonography and the detailed notes on each individual ikon included in the book are excellent and informative. The plates are simply marvellous! Plates I (The Georgian Madonna); III (The Acheroptic Saviour); VII (The Quadripartite Icon); X ( The Miracle of St George and The Dragon); XII (The Prophet Elijah); and XIX (The Protection of the Motehr of God) are particularly appealing to me; the notes added to my enjoyment of the visuals. One minor hesitation I had when I first received the parcel was the size for a calendar (my first thought was I don't have a big enough spot to hang it!). On consideration, however, as it's not just a calendar but a book for keeping as well, a smaller size wouldn't work so well and, in the end, the size is not something to worry about as it allows the details of the plates to be displayed at their best! I find the spirtual energy of icons quite soothing and, if a new ikon book/calendar is produced using different ikons for 2007, I'll definitely be interested in buying it, as it's an economical, practical and beautiful way to collect the inspirational ikons many ordinary people would never otherwise have a chance to share in. Judy Croome South Africa
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