Vestments For All Seasons

A book that explores the history of church vestments plus directions for making them.

The churches of Britain contain a remarkable heritage of exquisitely embroidered vestments, and cathedrals in particular hold some of the most beautiful textiles ever produced in Europe. The history of these priestly garments and how their use developed in Britain and Europe is fascinating. This book outlines the tradition and mysticism associated with them and the role they still play in the 'theatre' of church, and shows how colour and ornament are used in the symbolism of the Christian faith. It explores the history of vestment production up to the present day, covering the practicalities of design, the sourcing of fabrics and the embroiderers themselves.

Do you want to involve children in the sacramental life of the church? This ideas-filled resource shows how to engage children and young people in worship, the Eucharist and other sacraments in ways that are profoundly missional and attractive.

This book focuses on second half of the twentieth century, for strange things have been happening in the church. It aim is to show something of the origins and use of the vestments themselves, and to traces the development of their decoration in the context of the arts.

In Tradition and Innovation, Nathan Witkamp convincingly argues that Narsai of Nisibis’ (d. ca. 503) baptismal rite and mystagogy, as portrayed in his Liturgical Homilies 21-22, is much less dependent on Theodore of Mopsuestia as has previously been supposed.

This rich biography, coinciding with his death centenary, illuminates the remarkable journey of Romesh Chunder Dutt (1848-“1909) situated at the cusp of two centuries and two world views. It traces Dutt's eventful life-from his running away to England at the age of twenty, and being an exemplary ICS officer (the second Indian in the service), to his early retirement and entry into politics, and becoming president of the Indian National Congress in 1899. Dutt's contribution as an economic historian, a translator of Sanskrit epics into English, and a novelist in Bengali, are elaborately discussed and the contradictions in his attitudes to language, to colonialism, and to religion acknowledged. Featuring Curzon, Naoroji, Vidyasagar, Bankimchandra, Gokhale, Sayaji Rao Gaekwad and other luminaries of the national movement, this meticulously researched and elegantly written book captures an extraordinary moment in modern Indian history and will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.