Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39) By Enzira Sebhat

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The Harp of Glory is a major medieval hymn sounding the praises of the Theotokos, from the heart of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in its Golden Age. It is a text hardly known in the Orthodox or Western churches, even though it is truly a religious and literary treasure of world significance. It approaches closely to the character and genius of the Byzantine Akathist
to the Mother of God (which it seems to know in part) but is so profoundly rooted in a different indigenous experience that it surely deserves the title of An African Akathist.

This beautiful lyrical poem will be of interest to all who follow the rise of biblical exegesis in the ancient church, and forms of the great devotion to the Mother of God that is characteristic of the eastern churches. It is also an exquisitely crafted love song to the Virgin (troubadour style), from a monk scholar musician
wandering the highlands of Ethiopia, long ago. Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39)

The book was, as advertised, new, clean and in good condition and was delivered on time but the look and use of the book is rather spoilt by the excessive use of sticky labels (one on the spine and two on the back cover) that are impossible to remove and cover text it would have been good to read, like the author description. Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39) Its than I ever expectedEthiopian Orthodox Christianity is still very much unknown in the western Hemisphere.Its a storehouse of treasure. the only way I can read this book is to again read my Old Testament. Its truly brilliant Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39) McGuckin's well introduced and superbly footnoted edition of the Enzira Sebhat, an epic poem in honor of the Virgin Mary composed (probably) by a 15th Century troubadour priest in the hill country of Ethiopia, is a treasure to behold. In this resplendent English translation, McGuckin offers what is incontrovertibly one of the most beautiful epic hymns in all of Christian history. The work is derived from the far ancient Byzantine Akathist, but the Harp of Glory takes that magnificent tradition to a wholly unique and transcendent level. One of the incomparable aspects of the poem is its value in terms of exemplifying or even synthesizing the method of typological Biblical interpretation/exegesis and catechesis that characterized the ancient Church at almost every level. The song was used by Ethiopian missionaries to evangelize, catechetize and entertain listeners for the purpose of spreading the Gospel. In this light, the elaborate Marian hymn sumptuous with Old and New Testament motifs and rich with spiritual longing becomes a triumphant anthem to the entire mystery of Redemption, a mirror into which the soul can glimpse its deepest yearning for God against the backdrop of the panorama of Christian salvation history. Majestic and often achingly beautiful, the Harp of Glory is a little known but priceless gem from the past and from the obscure African hinterlands of the Church. It is a work that merits inclusion in any Orthodox or Roman Catholic scholarly library, not to mention a prominent place in the devotional arsenal of anyone who venerates the Theotokos. Kudos to Father John McGuckin, who recognized the value of this astonishing poem and who has brought it to the deserving attention of English speaking Christians for the first time. Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39) Wonderful hymn that is not well known. So great to have it available as a Kindle book. Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39) Beautiful hymn comparable to the Greek akathist Harp of Glory: An African Akathist (Popular Patristics Series Book 39)