Sophia-Maria: A Holistic Vision of Creation by Thomas Schipflinger

Sophia, or Holy Wisdom, is said to have appeared to us in the form of Mary, as foreseen by the prophet Baruch (Bar.3, 37), and is deeply rooted within the Russian Church's devotion to the Virgin Mary. To meet the growing interest in Sophia outside of the Russian Church, Father Thomas Schipflinger has compiled a timely, indispensable source of reference—a veritable Sophia encyclopedia—for anyone wanting to learn more about the Sophianic movement.

The material published in this work—collected over two decades by Schipflinger—is a labour of love on the part of someone who truly reveres the Divine Feminine. He has amassed a unique, extraordinary breadth of knowledge concerning Sophia, tracing Her throughout history: in scripture and according to the church fathers; in art and literature, especially in the visions of such mystics as St. Hildegard of Bingen and Anne Catherine Emmerich; in the writing of Sophia scholars, such as Jacob Boehme and Gottfried Arnold; in Russian iconography and architecture; and in the images and incarnations of Sophia in Eastern traditions—Buddhism, Hinduism, and other world religions.

The common thread running throughout the work is, of course, the connection between Sophia and the Virgin Mary. Schipflinger provides an in-depth account from many different perspectives—throughout history and across cultures. This heartfelt, scholarly addition to the Sophianic movement is a work that brings substance to recent investigations into feminine wisdom and how it has been expressed (and hidden) in tradition. Translated by James Morgante. Afterword by Robert Powell, founder of the Sophia Foundation of North America. Includes 32 monochrome plates.

Thomas Schipflinger (1918-2001), was a priest of the diocese of Munich. During his membership in the Jesuits he travelled to China and gained an insight into the Eastern wisdom teachings. However, it was his stay in Russia during the Second World War that characterized his whole life. There he saw the icon of Holy Wisdom and experienced how strongly Sophia is venerated in Russia; especially in her connection with the Mother of God Mary-Maria. After reading the book The Secret of Mary by St. Louis de Montfort, he became particularly deep in Marian devotion. This inspiration would determine his spiritual destiny for the rest of his life.