On the Holy Icons
Worth buying if: You want a short, textually grounded introduction to icon theology.
Skip it if: You expect a richly illustrated coffee-table book on icons.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780913836767. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
This short volume gathers the writings of St. Theodore the Studite with commentary by Catharine P. Roth to explain the theology, practice, and defense of holy icons in Eastern Christianity.
Why this book now
For readers seeking clarity on iconography’s theological roots and its role in contemporary Orthodox devotion, this classic offers focused historical and spiritual perspective.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want a short, textually grounded introduction to icon theology.
- You appreciate patristic sources with modern scholarly notes.
- If you favor lyrical short chapters, the relationship develops slowly and realistically.
- You expect a richly illustrated coffee-table book on icons.
- You want a broad history of Byzantine art beyond theology.
- You need the newest edition, freshest examples, or the most current framing.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780913836767
Worth buying if: You want a short, textually grounded introduction to icon theology.
Skip it if: You expect a richly illustrated coffee-table book on icons.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Quick Easy to move through
At about 115 pages, this compact work can be read in a few focused sessions or used as a reference for study and devotional reflection.
What stands out here
This St Vladimir's edition pairs primary texts from Theodore the Studite with Catharine P. Roth’s editorial framing, emphasizing theological argument over visual presentation.
Best way to approach it
Read slowly and reflectively: alternate short passages of the primary text with Roth’s notes to connect historical argument to contemporary devotional practice.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780913836767
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.