>Inform, Form, Transform

>It’s been a difficult week. More visits from my old friend, Acedia. And just old-fashioned fatigue. Or as my Mom used to say, “the blues.”

Haven’t been able to put my finger on the main culprit… probably just too much introspection. Waiting on some news all week and finally got the disappointing verdict today. (A writer’s residency I applied for.)

At any rate, I’ve spent some time just slowing down. Napping (yes). Reading. Praying.

And then I found this amazing documentary, “Icon.” It lasts an hour, so set aside a little time if you want to watch it. Or just pause it and watch it in segments. Either way, it’s amazing on several levels:

If you’re an Orthodox Christian, it’s one of the most beautiful and informative videos I’ve ever seen on Orthodoxy and iconography. I love Anthony Vrame, author of The Educating Icon, who talks about iconography throughout the video. At one point he talks about how icons “inform, form, and transform” those who venerate them.

If you’re Romanian, you’ll be right at home, as much of it is filmed in Romania. The monastery I’ve visited many times in Michigan, Holy Dormition Monastery, is Romanian, and the iconographer there, Mother Olympia, is from Romania. (That’s her, helping me with my icon of St. Mary of Egypt and Saint Basil the Great, a few years ago.)

If you’re neither, but have an inkling of interest in iconography and eastern spirituality, you’re in for a treat.