Sacred Arts

One thing led to another.

The work and achievements of the Arvo Pärt Project (see Music) led to a widening of horizons. Many of Pärt’s sacred music compositions emanate from his Orthodox Christian faith. What about the study of “the sacred arts” as a whole? Within a church tradition so aesthetically robust, so grounded in liturgy; with a theology of materiality, might we have something to say on these things?

And so was born…

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Explore the website, read reflections, watch interviews, and tune into the podcast.

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Luminous: Conversations on Sacred Arts features guests from wide-ranging backgrounds and points of entry into the arts and the spiritual.

Rethinking Sacred Arts

Our latest publication, a groundbreaking volume featuring essays by world-class scholars and artists, is the first in a new series on Sacred Arts, with St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

View fullsize In the latest episode of the Luminous podcast, Dr Peter Bouteneff speaks with Helena Tulve, an Estonian composer whose music is characterized by constant change and continuous processes. Her music grows out from simple primary impulses, being influen
View fullsize A few weeks ago, Associate Director of the Institute of Sacred Arts and Professor of Music Dr Alexander Lingas, directed his renowned ensemble, Cappella Romana, in a performance entitled “Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia,” at the majestic Chur
View fullsize On the latest episode of Luminous, Kim Haines-Eitzen discusses her book, Sonorous Desert: What Deep Listening Taught Early Christian Monks and What It Can Teach Us (Princeton University Press, 2022). Listen to the conversation here: https://www.insti
View fullsize The Luminous podcast is back, featuring Kim Haines-Eitzen, Cornell University Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions. Kim Haines-Eitzen adds to a rich body of work with her most recent book, an exploration of the desert soundscapes that may hav
View fullsize “Tradition is creativity. In tradition you receive something, you enrich it with yourself, and you give it to another person. So it’s a dynamic process. In the meantime, it is you who enriches what you receive. If you don’t do that,
View fullsize It was a joy and blessing this week to bring world-renowned iconographer Dr George Kordis back to @svots ! His icon-painting school @writing_the_light offered several days of workshops. On June 20, Kordis and ISA Director Dr Peter Bouteneff held a pu
View fullsize **Summer Music Institute to Return in 2025** -- There will be no Summer Music Institute this year at St Vladimir’s Seminary, but the popular educational event will return in the summer of 2025. Here at the seminary’s Institute of Sacred
View fullsize On Saturday, April 13, Dr Peter Bouteneff gave a lecture at the Arvo Pärt Center in Laulasmaa, Estonia, on the topic "The Brink of Despair and the Cup of Tea: St Sophrony and the Polarities of the Spiritual Life." The lecture explored
View fullsize As promised, we are sharing a brand new episode of Luminous today, a memorable and probing conversation with poet Mona Arshi. Mona Arshi brings all of herself to her poetry: her background as a human rights lawyer, a family lineage deeply embedded i
View fullsize The latest episode of Luminous features a groundbreaking Orthodox artist, Aidan Hart. Iconographer and prolific liturgical artisan in a wide range of artistic media, Hart explores the localized themes in his work, highlighting Western Orthodox saints
View fullsize Professor of Music and Associate Director of the Institute of Sacred Arts, Dr Alexander Lingas, will be leading the 2024 Colloquium on Liturgical Music in Eastern Orthodox Theological Education, happening this week on March 13-14. All those living lo
View fullsize All are invited to attend a special presentation by Professor Emeritus and former Dean, the Very Rev. Dr John Erickson, at 7:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 13. This talk, titled "“Identity, Authenticity, Fidelity: Stories From the Last Ce
View fullsize For those in the local area: a second performance of the Memorial Concert for Protopresbyter Ivan Moody is happening this Tuesday, 2/27, at 1:00 p.m. in Three Hierarchs Chapel at St Vladimir's Seminary. All are welcome to attend. **Please note: an ea
View fullsize In the newest episode of the Luminous podcast, Dr Peter Bouteneff speaks with liturgical artist Aidan Hart. Aidan Hart works in multiple media—painting, sculpture, carving, mosaics—to create liturgical art of stunning beauty. As an author
View fullsize The Luminous podcast is back with several special episodes for the Winter 2024 season. A fascinating interview with author/illustrator Vesper Stamper and a moving tribute to the newly departed Fr Ivan Moody are available for streaming now, with a new
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