18 Jan
2023
6 Jan
2023
30 Dec
2022
20 Dec
2022
12 Dec
2022
8 Dec
2022
From the Sheen Center description:
“Just in time for the Advent and Christmas season, this stunning exhibit features mosaic icons created in the tradition of Byzantine masters. Exquisitely fashioned from tiny bits of colored glass fit together to bring forth a divine image, the icons are created by Oksana Prokopenko, a Ukrainian artist. They offer radiant reminders that, despite the darkness in our world, a Light still shines and is not overcome.“
“Oksana Prokopenko was born and raised in Ukraine. She was educated at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, one of the top three universities in Ukraine, and at NYU. She studied formal art practices at NYU, SVA and with Philip Vanderhyden. Oksana has a cross-disciplinary practice in which micromosaics, painting and sculpture overlap. Rooted in the ancient contemplative practice of icon-writing and inspired by the current research in chaos theory, Oksana’s work explores the interaction of human and divine. Oksana’s artworks have been acquired into the permanent collections of museums in the USA and Italy, religious communities and private collections. Exhibition curated by Patricia McGuinness.”
We wrote this on the occasion of an earlier exhibit by the artist in 2018:
In the present wasteland of Christian art, the relatively intact Eastern Tradition is a good starting point for recovery. For the restrictive rules governing images in Eastern ecclesiastical art impose limits on the artist’s unhinged fantasy yet provide him with a clear model to follow. Now Oksana Prokopenko’s images and icons, executed in the difficult and expensive medium of mosaic, confirm both the continued vitality of the Tradition and its ability to accommodate individual creativity.
At the Sheen Center (18 Bleecker St NY). The exhibit will last until January 6, 2023.
6 Dec
2022
The discalced Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Joseph have scheduled their final Mass in their Brooklyn monastery this Monday, Dec. 12 at 6:45 am. They will be moving to a new monastery in Pleasant Mount, PA. Here is the announcement on their website:
It is with both joy and sorrow that we share with you the news that our Community will be moving to a new location at Pleasant Mount, PA . Please keep us in your prayers, and be assured of our continued prayers for you.
The website explains the reason for the move:
“Our Carmelite Monastery, in the Diocese of Brooklyn, is located next to a park (just 10 feet away from our enclosre wall) which has proved to be a real problem and in recent times, even a danger for our Community. The noise level coming from the park has always been a difficulty, but this past year it has grown to be unbearable, especially following the outbreak of the pandemic and the curtailment of the police. The area directly behind our wall has become a hangout for gangs who blast horrendous music (if one can call it music) all hours of the night.
“Worse than the noise, however, is the late night carousing, drinking and drugs, as well as the evidence of satanic rituals just feet away from us. Under such conditions it is impossible for our Community to grow and flourish. We have several inquiries from young woman who feel called to our Carmel; however it would be impossible to receive them at our present location. In addition, a rural setting would be a great help and stimulus to contemplative life and with the uncertainty of these times, it would afford us the opportunity to be more self-sufficient.”
A 13-acre property near Scranton “abounding in silence” was donated to the nuns. The nuns plan to build an authentic Spanish carmel “like those in which Our Holy Mother, St. Teresa of Jesus and her daughters lived.”
The nuns are looking for donations. For more information visit their website
5 Dec
2022
4 Dec
2022
Today at the altar of Our Lady at the Church of St Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, CT. See our post : Novena of the Immaculate Conception in Bridgeport and Waterbury.
1 Dec
2022