Barely two hundred years ago when Finland began to emerge as a modern nation state, distinct from Swedish dominance in the West and Russian influence in the East, the roots of the Finnish tribes were found, not in written form, but in epic songs sung by a revered caste of songsingers found primarily in the deep forests of Karelia, or eastern Finland. These pages introduce the story of these songs, their spirituality, and the modern Karelian culture they are giving birth to.

KARELIA, The Songsingers' Land and the Land of Mary's Song: An Introduction to, and Meditation on, Karelian Orthodox Culture

Currier, Alvin Alexsi

Religion & Spirituality

Alvin Alexsi Currier

This book is about Ritual Towels. If you have ever been to Eastern Europe you have seen them, even if you didn’t notice them. From the White Sea in the North to the Black Sea in the South they are everywhere across in Slavic heartland of the Old World. In Finnish they are called Kaespaikka, in Russian and Ukrainian, Rushnyky, and in Romanian, Stergare. Orthodox immigrants to America commonly called them towels, or ritual towels, although calling them ritual cloths may be more appropriate. I have used both terms interchangeably. I was given my first towel nearly forty years ago. To this day it lives with my wife and I as a talisman of the Orthodox faith we came to embrace, a sign of the mystical that Orthodoxy opened for us, and a gateway to the potency of a life entwined with nature that we were blessed to experience in Finland, Russia, Romania, and the Carpathians. It is my prayer that this rambling story will help save the remnants of these towels that are still found among us and maybe even inspire the creation of new towels to tell of our times; soothe, comfort and protect us.

Grandma's Ritual Towel

This story is obviously founded in fact, for it is filled with names and dates, and yet its majesty lies in that it is neither fact nor fiction. Instead it flows, clear and innocent, from the wellspring of faith hidden deep in the heart. It is the flowering of the rich living spirituality of Romania, lovingly tended by the faithful and the more than three hundred monasteries of this Orthodox land. With these pages it is the honor of the author to attempt to share with you some of the radiance of this faith, and the beauty of this land.

How the Monastery Came to Be On the Top of the Mountain: A Romanian oral tradition

Children's Books

Literature & Fiction

Bowker

A charming, delightfully illustrated classic Christmas folktale from old Russia retold by Alvin Alexi Currier about a poor family who entertains an angel unaware. Picturebook for preschool and up.

The Miraculous Child: A Christmas folktale from old Russia

Old Maria: A Grandfather's Tale of Spiritual Warfare Once Upon a Time in Old Russia

In the year 2000 when the Russian folk artist, Nadezdah Glazunova asked her spiritual father for a blessing to illustrate a third children’s book with Alvin Alexsi Currier, the priest gently refused her, giving her instead the obedience to illustrate the life of Saint Sergius for the children of the world. This was a daunting challenge for every detail of the Saint’s life was widely known in the Slavic world and every incident was already illustrated by great masters whose paintings had become iconic for the incidents. Nadezda prayed and painted. Alexsi attempted to draft a text worthy of her amazing art. Together they offer here the blessed result.

The Wonderful Life of Russia's Saint Sergius of Radonezh

Miracles are never far from the mystical and sometimes magical spirituality and prayer life of the rural Russian villages, and from that world comes this tale of a young orphan an old monk a tame bear and a miraculous healing.

Alyosha's Apple: A Tale of Old Russia

Grandpa's icon: Carpatho-Rusyn roots

Old Russia comes to life in this tale of a poor young orphan girl who braves the dangers of the deep forest to find healing for her crippled brother. The poetic text and colorful illustrations draw on their roots in the classic Russian fairytale tradition to tell a story of the triumph of courage, faith, and love.

Conciliar Pr

Children's Book. How the Monastery Came to be on the Top of the Mountain is a delightful illustrated children's book taken from Romanain oral tradition, passed down from generation to generation. It is the flowering of the rich living spirituality of Romania, lovingly tended by the many faithful Christians and the more than three hundred monasteries of this Orthodox land.

How the Monastery Came to Be on the Top of the Mountain

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Currier, Alvin Alexsi. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Currier, Alvin Alexsi

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Currier, Alvin Alexsi. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

KARELIA, The Songsingers' Land and the Land of Mary's Song: An Introduction to, and Meditation on, Karelian Orthodox Culture

Grandma's Ritual Towel

How the Monastery Came to Be On the Top of the Mountain: A Romanian oral tradition

The Miraculous Child: A Christmas folktale from old Russia

Old Maria: A Grandfather's Tale of Spiritual Warfare Once Upon a Time in Old Russia

The Wonderful Life of Russia's Saint Sergius of Radonezh

Alyosha's Apple: A Tale of Old Russia

Grandpa's icon: Carpatho-Rusyn roots

Alyosha's Apple: A Tale of Old Russia

How the Monastery Came to Be on the Top of the Mountain