Matthew W Gaul

Tales of Glory: The Stories Icons Tell Matthew W Gaul

Long before the advent of multimedia, before television and moving pictures and graphic news in real-time, the Eastern Church taught and prayed with sacred pictures. These pictures are known as "icons."

The Greek Rite of the Church is a living treasure of worship. The book you hold in your hands is an exposition of that lived treasure, embodied today in St. Nicholas Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, located in upstate New York. Author Matthew Gaul lovingly and intelligently explains each of the stunning icons present within the church of St. Nicholas, which are representative of icons in Greek-rite churches. Gaul explains the initial reaction a modern American would have when confronted with the overwhelming beauty of Eastern Christian iconography: When I first arrived at St. Nicholas, I felt hesitant and even unworthy, for the presence of God was so obvious and arresting that I almost did not know how to handle it. It was an honor simply to be let in the door.

Rich in full-color images from the church, Tales of Glory is a story of sacrifice and redemption, ever-new for the faithful today. Turn the pages and enter into another world.