Detailed explanation of the distinctive characteristics of Byzantine iconography, together with a concise systematic exposition of Saint John Damascene's defense of the holy icons.

Detailed, illustrated explanation of ten major icons of the Festal cycle and of the iconography of God (the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), of the Panagia or Theotokos, of Saint John the Baptist and of the Angels, followed by illuminating remarks of Saint Nectarios of Aegina and Photios Kontoglou on iconographic "Types" and "Archetypes."

A way of thinking about education in the Church from the perspective of the art, theology, and liturgical and devotional use of icons. Through ?iconic catechesis? each person is nurtured to grow into the likeness of God. With color plates.

To St Theodore the Studite, writing in the midst of the iconoclastic controversy of the eighth and ninth centuries, it was clear that iconoclasm is a serious error, which alienates its followers from God as much as any other heresy.

Without St. John's brilliant defense, both profound and at times earthly, we might well have had no icons, murals, and mosaics in churches to elevate and enrich our spirits.