Another City

A Journal of Orthodox Culture

The Arts

The Christmas Oratorio Finale by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev

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Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), Bishop of Volokolamsk and chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, is a prolific writer and also a composer. One might ask where he finds that time to compose music given his busy schedule. Met. Hilarion responds that much of his writing occurs during layovers in airports … [Read more...] about The Christmas Oratorio Finale by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev

Reverent Wonder: Two Poems on the Nativity of Christ

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It is no accident that most of the language used in the Orthodox services is poetic. Good poetry has the ability to take us into the depths of things much more powerfully than prose. These two Nativity poems by Mary Lowell reveal a mother's reverent wonder at the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [one-third-first] Mother Let Us See Him Mother, let us see … [Read more...] about Reverent Wonder: Two Poems on the Nativity of Christ

The Preaching of Columns

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By Mary Lowell (Click on images to enlarge.) The artistic beauty of a building is not in the least a consequence of its perfect functionality. Principles of a purely artistic kind are decisive for the aesthetic value of a building. What beauty an arch can possess, or a tower in its form and color…! Dietrich von Hildebrand 1 It is common to hear people say, … [Read more...] about The Preaching of Columns

Myth of Enchantment

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By Peter Leithart Once upon a time, magic was a mighty force, but not anymore. Once Britain was filled with fairies, but no one ever sees an elf nowadays. My opening paragraph may sound like a tale from Max Weber or Charles Taylor, but the first sentence summarizes a regular motif of English folklore and the second is a paraphrase of part of the “Wife of … [Read more...] about Myth of Enchantment