• Fulfillment of pre-orders is well underway;
• Deliveries to continue over the coming days and weeks;
• The Thebaid Book is IN STOCK at St Tikhon’s Bookstore for immediate shipping;
• Info on Book Signings and Book Reviews to follow.

Dear Fellow Pilgrims,

I started this post from St Tikhon’s Monastery Press Bookstore over a week ago, where I recently spent a few days signing copies of the North American Thebaid book for the pre-orders for you dear friends and supporters who have helped propel this project from its launch in 2016 through 2024 and our final rounds of pre-press. Three years of travel & photography, plus two more years of image editing & post-production, interrupted by two painful years of COVID lockdowns, then at last the book design, proofing, editing, more proofing, and more editing, finally reaching this long-awaited conclusion.

I am reluctant to write any sort of review of my own book. It’s hard to be detached and objective, yes, but I mainly don’t wish to suggest any adjectives. Let’s just say I am very pleased with the image reproduction, a technical observation separate from the photographic and artistic qualities of the images themselves. That was my biggest concern as we sent it to print, as there was no room left for error. “The die was cast” as the saying goes, and all my editing and file conversions for 4-colour printing (notice the British spelling!) now had to stand or fall on their own merits. I think it succeeds on that level at least.

I do so appreciate the messages from many of you who have already received your copies. I’m collecting a few to share here on my website. We are nearly finished with preorder fulfillment, and I am personally delivering a small number of books during my trip back to Alabama.

St Tikhon’s Press has announced that the book is in stock and available for immediate shipping. Learn more, see sample page spreads, and place your orders on the STMP website.

More news coming soon. Thank you all again for your support, prayers, and patience.

your fellow pilgrim,

Ralph/zosimas