The Catacomb Skeleton Saints have often been pushed to the side in the countries where they remain. Saints selected by cross cultural divination techniques, dressed by the devoted, worked with magically and venerated with prayer and festivities. They’re now scattered, some on display in churches, some condemned to the church’s back rooms, some saved from destruction but now adorn garages.
Paul Koudounaris brings the catacomb saints out of the darkness with this astounding volume, which includes beautiful images of more than seventy magnificent, jewelled skeletons and the fascinating stories of dozens more, accompanied by rare archive material. This is the first time that some of these incredible relics – both historical artifacts and masterpieces of artistic craftsmanship in their own right – have appeared in a publication, with Koudounaris gaining unprecedented access to photograph in some of the most secretive religious establishments in Europe. Koudounaris looks into their cultural history, religious understanding, symbology as well as recording living experiences with the spirits of these skeleton saints.
This is the definitive book on the Catacomb saints. An introduction to how people treated them, worked with them and cared for them over the centuries.
Why we love it
The Catacomb saints are one of the most visual representations of ancestral veneration in Europe. Many other forms of physical veneration were squashed by various protestant reformations, so they’re one of the last grand examples of individual veneration. This book is detailed, thoughtful and gentle with it’s approach to the topics of culturally significant spirits. The photographs are also stunning, beautiful portraits of these skeleton saints. It may be the only book written about these saints, so is definitely one for the bookshelf!
Hardcover 192 pages.
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Alex Goddard (verified owner) –
An insightful read, with stunning photography throughout. Thoroughly recommended to anyone with an interest in the topic.