Plekon’s . . . assessment of Russian theologians who have played a leading role on the American church stage is illuminating and challenging. Fr. Plekon’s aim is to show the relevance of Orthodoxy as a living faith in the west, as well as in Russia and in this he succeeds to an exciting degree. Here is a book which contains strong theological argument, presented in a readable and stimulating way.” —Journal of Ecclesiastical History
“This gem of a book should be read by all. . . .I recommend without reserve this wonderful, well-written, spiritually enriching book: reading it is a like making a retreat. It shows how human goodness is the really interesting and exciting human story; it is evil that is dull.” —Orientalia Christiana Periodica
“His honest and open style is refreshing and reflective of many of the theologians he writes about. Catechists at all levels will be nourished by Living Icons and encouraged in their own struggles with people who are ‘literalists’ or exclusive in their understanding of Christ’s Gospel. Plekon’s Living Icons has a vision that is within its tradition yet beyond it. Those who believe that church unity is an important issue will find openness, willingness, and a creativity to find resolutions through dialogue about similarities.” —Living Light
“Written in nontechnical language and composed of chapters that can be appreciated individually, the book is an excellent choice for use in undergraduate as well as graduate courses dealing with modern Orthodoxy and modern Christianity generally. Theologically Plekon’s book is a signal contribution to a broader vision of Orthodoxy.” —Slavic Review
“This work offers a precious treasure, a presentation of the lives, work and engagements of these [living icons] presented in a remarkable spirit of sympathy and synthesis. This is a beautiful and important book.” —Contacts
“Living Icons is a well-written, well-researched book that gives a moving portrayal of the lives of these ten people without sentimentalizing them. It is essential reading for Orthodox Christians. . . ." —The Russian Review
“[I]t is heartening to encounter a significant new study by an Orthodox scholar and priest that hearkens back to a time when Orthodoxy infused creativity and inspiration, to the whole of the Christian Church. Plekon reflects the profound and perennial relevance of Eastern Christianity by examining the life and thought of 10 individuals of the twentieth century whose lives, rooted in the Orthodox faith, reveal a vibrant, living faith that is catholic and orthodox in the best sense of those terms.” —Cistercian Studies Quarterly
“[Plekon] provides fetching profiles of ten Orthodox figures. Telling the story through these lives, Father Plekon also provides an inviting introduction to an Orthodox world of piety, reflection, and radical devotion that is too little known in the West.” —First Things
“The author of this engaging book traces the spiritual journey of some of the most striking personalities of Orthodoxy of our time. . . . Through these witnesses, through their lives and work, this study reveals the true face of Orthodoxy and is at the same time an urgent appeal to today’s churches. . . [a] very beautiful book, full of spirit.” —Irenikon
“What he has to say is most always worth listening to, filled with anecdotes and pithy observations in which one catches something of his warm love for the church. And portraits of notable figures of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the twentieth century are interwoven with sage observations and insightful commentary on the state of Orthodoxy in the world and in America today. I think he has produced a splendid work.” —Theology Today
Fascinating, uplifting, and evenhanded in its study of characters, foibles, and faith, as well as highly recommended for students of Orthodox Christian History, Living Icons is a profound testimony to the path set by just a few among many amidst constantly changing and conflicting headwaters of religious belief worldwide.
What Plekon has written is of great value. It introduces the reader to some outstanding men and women of the Eastern Church who have had an impact on the Western Church as well. Each chapter contains a wealth of information and insight, a richness which can be fully appreciated only by reading the book."
American Benedictine Review
[Plekon] provides fetching profiles of ten Orthodox figures. Telling the story through these lives, Father Plekon also provides an inviting introduction to an Orthodox world of piety, reflection, and radical devotion that is too little known in the West.
The author of this engaging book traces the spiritual journey of some of the most striking personalities of Orthodoxy of our time. . . . Through these witnesses, through their lives and work, this study reveals the true face of Orthodoxy and is at the same time an urgent appeal to today’s churches. . . [a] very beautiful book, full of spirit.
What he has to say is most always worth listening to, filled with anecdotes and pithy observations in which one catches something of his warm love for the church. And portraits of notable figures of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the twentieth century are interwoven with sage observations and insightful commentary on the state of Orthodoxy in the world and in America today. I think he has produced a splendid work.
Plekon offers a timely meditation on the state of Orthodoxy. . . . Thanks to the diversity of Plekon’s subjects and his own keen sense of ecumenical context, Living Icons would serve well as an introduction to the Russian religious renaissance and its heritage in the West.
Slavic and East European Journal
Living Icons is a well-written, well-researched book that gives a moving portrayal of the lives of these ten people without sentimentalizing them. It is essential reading for Orthodox Christians. . . ."
[I]t is heartening to encounter a significant new study by an Orthodox scholar and priest that hearkens back to a time when Orthodoxy infused creativity and inspiration, to the whole of the Christian Church. Plekon reflects the profound and perennial relevance of Eastern Christianity by examining the life and thought of 10 individuals of the twentieth century whose lives, rooted in the Orthodox faith, reveal a vibrant, living faith that is catholic and orthodox in the best sense of those terms.
Cistercian Studies Quarterly
Plekon’s . . . assessment of Russian theologians who have played a leading role on the American church stage is illuminating and challenging. Fr. Plekon’s aim is to show the relevance of Orthodoxy as a living faith in the west, as well as in Russia and in this he succeeds to an exciting degree. Here is a book which contains strong theological argument, presented in a readable and stimulating way.
Journal of Ecclesiastical History
This gem of a book should be read by all. . . .I recommend without reserve this wonderful, well-written, spiritually enriching book: reading it is a like making a retreat. It shows how human goodness is the really interesting and exciting human story; it is evil that is dull.
Orientalia Christiana Periodica
His honest and open style is refreshing and reflective of many of the theologians he writes about. Catechists at all levels will be nourished by Living Icons and encouraged in their own struggles with people who are ‘literalists’ or exclusive in their understanding of Christ’s Gospel. Plekon’s Living Icons has a vision that is within its tradition yet beyond it. Those who believe that church unity is an important issue will find openness, willingness, and a creativity to find resolutions through dialogue about similarities.
Timely
Living Icons offers profiles of ten Orthodox Christians, and there is a fearlessness that characterizes all of them, and an openness that contrasts refreshingly with the attitude of those we might call neotraditionalists.
Michael Plekon offers a selection of Orthodox lives-all but one near contemporaries of ours-which show forth the gospel in ways that are thoroughly consistent with Orthodox tradition and are at the same time distinctly modern forms of witness.
St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly
Written in nontechnical language and composed of chapters that can be appreciated individually, the book is an excellent choice for use in undergraduate as well as graduate courses dealing with modern Orthodoxy and modern Christianity generally. Theologically Plekon’s book is a signal contribution to a broader vision of Orthodoxy.
This is an important resource for anyone interested in Orthodox tradition. The men and women profiled in these pages are saints in the understanding of those whose vocation is to be very similar to God.
This work offers a precious treasure, a presentation of the lives, work and engagements of these [living icons] presented in a remarkable spirit of sympathy and synthesis. This is a beautiful and important book.
[A]n intimate portrait of ten Eastern Orthodox personalities. . . . The book is based on sound research of literary sources as well as numerous personal resources, such as conversations with those who knew or were familiar with these figures and visits to sites where these figures either lived or else are remembered.
Michael Plekon offers a selection of Orthodox lives-all but one near contemporaries of ours-which show forth the gospel in ways that are thoroughly consistent with Orthodox tradition and are at the same time distinctly modern forms of witness.
St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly
[Plekon] provides fetching profiles of ten Orthodox figures. Telling the story through these lives, Father Plekon also provides an inviting introduction to an Orthodox world of piety, reflection, and radical devotion that is too little known in the West.
