The Orthodox Book Club

[Suzannah]

Where members discuss their latest Orthodox bestsellers from the last 2000 years....

:)

Enjoy

[Reader Nilus]

Where members discuss their latest Orthodox bestsellers from the last 2000 years....

:)

EnjoyAnd maybe some that were not bestsellers.
Reader Nilus

[Suzannah]

And maybe some that were not bestsellers.
Reader Nilus
:)

Could it be that they didn't sell well because they were just too sensational?

[Reader Nilus]

St Ambrose of Optinia would be good, but the book about him is very rare now, although excellent.
STARETZ AMVROSY: Model for Dostoevesky's Zossima by John Dunlop
Reader Nilus

[Nickolai]

A great book to read is:
Orthodox Dogmatic Theology (http://www.stherman.com/catalog/chapter_eight/OrthDogmTh_book.htm)
by: Fr. Michael Pomazansky

I've learned a lot from it so far.

[MariaRegina]

The Mountain of Silence

by Kyriacos Markides

and available through www.Amazon.com in paperback

[p.s. I don't work for Amazon.com]

[Nickolai]

The Mountain of Silence

by Kyriacos Markides

and available through www.Amazon.com in paperback

[p.s. I don't work for Amazon.com]

I second that, Great book. The stories of Elder Pasious are amazing. I like the one about the bear the most.

[Marjorie]

I love The Mountain of Silence as well. Also, Pomazansky's book was probably the first book I read on Orthodoxy.

Has anyone else here read this book by Peter France called A Place of Healing for the Soul: Patmos? I found it at some bookstore somewhere, in the travel writing section, but it's actually more of a conversion story from agnosticism to Orthodox Christianity. It's short and simple and I quite liked it.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[tizziale]

I loved the Mountain of Silence. I just started Way of the Ascetics and it too is great.

rusty

[Reader Nilus]

I recommend the A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain by Met. HIEROTHEOS (Vlachos).
Reader Nilus

[nicodemus]

Has anyone else here read this book by Peter France called A Place of Healing for the Soul: Patmos? I found it at some bookstore somewhere, in the travel writing section, but it's actually more of a conversion story from agnosticism to Orthodox Christianity. It's short and simple and I quite liked it.
Haven't read it yet, but I own it. I've been considering starting it for a while.

[ExOrienteLux]

How about the good old standby The Way of a Pilgrim ?

[Thomas C.]

Here's one I heard was good, haven't read it...yet;)

Pilgrimage to Dzhvari: A Woman's Journey of Spiritual Awakening
by Valeria Alfeyeva

[Reader Nilus]

Here's one I heard was good, haven't read it...yet;)

Pilgrimage to Dzhvari: A Woman's Journey of Spiritual Awakening
by Valeria AlfeyevaThat is a great book, and one that would be very good for non-Christians as well! I highly recommend it!
Reader Nilus

[Suzannah]

I recommend the A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain by Met. HIEROTHEOS (Vlachos).
Reader Nilus
Can't wait to read it.... ;)

Try this one: (if you can get it; it's from a publisher in Greece):
Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain by Priestmonk Christodoulos.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Hmmmm. Quick thoughts (some of my favourites):

Old standby:
Philokalia
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers,translated by Benedicta Ward.

New but good:
Way of the Ascetics, by Tito Colliander
Come Follow Me: Orthodox Monasticism in Moldavia, by Mother Cassiana

Can someone give me a run-through of what River of Fire is about? I found it referenced a couple times in the Testimonies sticky.

-Vasya.

[xsearnold]

Anyone read Dancing Alone by Frank Schaeffer?

[Suzannah]

Anyone read Dancing Alone by Frank Schaeffer?
Yes. This is a very good book. It has been criticised for Franks' frustrated tone throughout, but over all, a very good read in my opinion. Thanks for listing it here!
:)

[Suzannah]

Hmmmm. Quick thoughts (some of my favourites):

Old standby:
Philokalia
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers,translated by Benedicta Ward.

New but good:
Way of the Ascetics, by Tito Colliander
Come Follow Me: Orthodox Monasticism in Moldavia, by Mother Cassiana

Can someone give me a run-through of what River of Fire is about? I found it referenced a couple times in the Testimonies sticky.

-Vasya.Hi Vasya,

Re: River of Fire: I haven't read this book, but I have seen it mentioned also, as a good resource. I hope someone will post their thoughts on it as I have thought about getting it myself. Thanks for your other recommendations! The one by Mother Cassiana sounds really interesting!
:)

[gzt]

River of Fire is a short polemic work, maybe 30 pages, about God's love, the nature of hell, and whether evil comes from God. His method is to contrast a Western conception of God which claims He is the author of evil and delights in our suffering with the Orthodox knowledge of God. The Western outlook he criticizes is a bit of a strawman, and I believe the true Western picture is far closer to the Orthodox picture, but the strawman does haunt all Western thought and one must be aware of it.

[Reader Nilus]

Anyone read Dancing Alone by Frank Schaeffer?I would not recommend it to anyone.
Reader Nilus

[Marjorie]

I would not recommend it to anyone.
Reader NilusI haven't read it but I heard that it was very polemical and not very charitable towards the West at all.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Reader Nilus]

Part of the problem with the book is the fact that Frank Schaeffer just converted and was not Orthodox to the point of his total view of life. When I became Orthodox, I was told to be Orthodox and partake in parish life at least 5+ years before doing or saying anything. Some of that is still evident in his rant against the Church for coming out against the war in Iraq.
Reader Nilus

[Marjorie]

That's very true, Jeff. It took me about six months after deciding to become Orthodox to truly start to think like an Orthodox Christian (it is its own unique worldview...) And after a year I still have a long way to go.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Vasya Davidovich]

Hi Vasya,

Re: River of Fire: I haven't read this book, but I have seen it mentioned also, as a good resource. I hope someone will post their thoughts on it as I have thought about getting it myself. Thanks for your other recommendations! The one by Mother Cassiana sounds really interesting!
:)
Greetings, Suzannah!

Mother Cassiana's book is a total of a personal pilgrimage that brings her into contact with a lesser-known (to us) branch of Orthodox monasticism. :crosseo: You get history, cultural expose, and personal testimony all at the same time. A riveting read. The blurb at the back of the book reads as follows:

"Jesus said, 'If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.' "
Matthew 19:21
These were the words which impelled Saint Anthony, the father of monastics, to embrace what came to be known as the monastic life. It is the desire to do more than what the commandments require, to leave everything aside and come as close to the Lord as possible, which has led men and women, young and old, throughout the centuries, to become monastics and follow Christ wherever He may lead.
The author's journey in following the Lord led her to Romania. Readers of this book are invited to become pilgrims and follow along, to see life as it truly is in an Orthodox monastery, and to tour many monastic settlements in the region of Romania known as Moldavia.

Again, fantastic book. Highly recommended. Romania tops out Mt. Athos on my personal life of pilgrimages to make. Read the book!
-Vasya.

[Vasya Davidovich]

River of Fire is a short polemic work, maybe 30 pages, about God's love, the nature of hell, and whether evil comes from God. His method is to contrast a Western conception of God which claims He is the author of evil and delights in our suffering with the Orthodox knowledge of God. The Western outlook he criticizes is a bit of a strawman, and I believe the true Western picture is far closer to the Orthodox picture, but the strawman does haunt all Western thought and one must be aware of it.
Thank you, gzt. I will keep an eye out for it. Would you happen to know the author and publisher? -Vasya.

[Turpius]

I have read some of Fr.Schmemann's books and find them quite interesting.

[Orthosdoxa]

I have read some of Fr.Schmemann's books and find them quite interesting.
BTW, welcome Turpius!

And Father Schmemann is simply awesome!

[xsearnold]

I haven't read it but I heard that it was very polemical and not very charitable towards the West at all.

In IC XC,
MarjorieI would agree that it was a bit "over the top" regarding its criticism of Protestantism, in general (as opposed to "the West"). I actually took that up with Frank in an e-mail and he admitted that he probably was overly critical of Protestantism since he had been a recent convert to Orthodoxy at the time he wrote the book. Essentially, Protestantism was blamed for the advent of humanistic, relativistic thought and action.

After reading the book, however, I'd say he makes a good case for this, even though I ultimately disagree with the extent to which Protestantism is blamed.

[xsearnold]

Part of the problem with the book is the fact that Frank Schaeffer just converted and was not Orthodox to the point of his total view of life. When I became Orthodox, I was told to be Orthodox and partake in parish life at least 5+ years before doing or saying anything. Some of that is still evident in his rant against the Church for coming out against the war in Iraq.
Reader NilusNot being Orthodox, I have not paid much attention to the Church's stance on the Iraq War. Is there a forum thread devoted to this? I'd like to see the responses made to various objections on this stance, rather than rehash old ground. I could not find an obvious thread using the Search facility in this forum.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Michael the Iconographer might like this one:

Heroes of the Icon, by Fr. Stephan/Steven Bigham (1998 Oakwood Publications)

[Vasya Davidovich]

Mike the Ike:

Actually, ditto for this one. The previous offering covers just about every key figure in the history of Orthodox iconography, and discusses the theological steps taken to get from the ban on images of the Pentateuch to the triumph of icons at the close of the iconoclastic controversy (to put it mildly). A fascinating read. This second book is a compilation of essays discussing common errors that leak into modern and not-so-modern iconography.

The Image of God the Father in Orthodox Theology and Iconography and Other Studies, by Fr. Steven Bigham (1995 Oakwood Publications).

Unsure whether or not the portion in little letters is part of the official, searchable title.

Erratum: Heroes of the Icon was published in 1998.

-Vasya.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Vasya,
I have yet to read Fr. Stephan's works but I actually spoke to him one time on the phone. A friend of mine who is a noted iconographer gave me his phone number to call him to ask him a question about the Resurrection/Hallowing of Hades Icon. I shall have to add these titles to my immense iconography library and give them a solid reading! Thank you for the heads up on these works.

[Michael the Iconographer]

This book is not by an Orthodox priest, but rather a Jesuit priest. I still highly recommend it. He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ. Published by Ignatius Press. It is the story of a priest who learns the true meaning of the spiritual life while in a Soviet prison camp for something like 15 years.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Vasya,
I have yet to read Fr. Stephan's works but I actually spoke to him one time on the phone. A friend of mine who is a noted iconographer gave me his phone number to call him to ask him a question about the Resurrection/Hallowing of Hades Icon. I shall have to add these titles to my immense iconography library and give them a solid reading! Thank you for the heads up on these works.
That's awesome! Orthodoxy is such a small world. Fr. Stephan is a friend of mine, and I am a big fan of his work. Well, some of it anyway. We had a rip-roaring debate a couple years back on one paper he was editing. But I find him most approachable.

I would like to extend my personal iconography library. What would be the first five to ten titles that jump to mind as requisites to the scholar/iconographer who is genuinely interested in all aspects of iconography?

-Vasya.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Russian Icons Today by Sergei Timchenko
The Icon: Window on the Kingdom by Michel Quenot
On The Divine Images by St. John Damascus
The Icon by Konrad Onasch
The Meaning of Icons by Leonid Ouspensky
On The Holy Icons by St. Theodore Studite

[Vasya Davidovich]

Thanks, Michael.

Totally off topic, but which style of brush strokes do you use? I don't know the names in English, because I studied under a French iconographer. And in what century and cultural tradition of iconographer are all/most your works?

Vasya the Ever-Inquisitive.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Thanks, Michael.

Totally off topic, but which style of brush strokes do you use? I don't know the names in English, because I studied under a French iconographer. And in what century and cultural tradition of iconographer are all/most your works?

Vasya the Ever-Inquisitive.

My brushstrokes are mostly made in x shapes, atleast for the larger areas. I tend to emulate 14th C Novgorod work and 15th C Moscow work. To me, those are the epitome of iconography.

[xenia]

Anyone read Dancing Alone by Frank Schaeffer?

I do not recommend this book or any other book by Frank Schaeffer.

People claiming to have found the One True Church should not write pornographic novels about their family, especially when their parents are Francis and Edith Schaeffer.

I will not even buy anything from Schaeffer's Regina Press.

People will say his novels are not pornographic. I disagree.
People will say they are not about his family. I strongly disagree.

-Xenia

[Vasya Davidovich]

Huh? Pornographic?

[xenia]

Huh? Pornographic?

Yes. Not Dancing Alone, which is just mean-spirited. He wrote three novels about his childhood that are quite hilarious at the expense of his family. One novel totally trashes the memory of his father. I read the first and was annoyed; I read the second one, which was more graphic and was disgusted. Not gonna read #3!

I can tolerate a little raciness in a novel, but not from a Christian whose writing is a thinly veiled autobiography wherein he paints his family in such a way that they all look foolish to the max.

He should recall all those novels and burn them.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Yes. Not Dancing Alone, which is just mean-spirited. He wrote three novels about his childhood that are quite hilarious at the expense of his family. One novel totally trashes the memory of his father. I read the first and was annoyed; I read the second one, which was more graphica and was disgusted. Not gonna read #3!

I can tolerate a little raciness in a novel, but not from a Christian who writing is a thinly veiled autobiography wherein he paints his family in such a way that they all look foolish to the max.

He should recall all those novels and burn them.
Thanks, Xenia. I haven't had the urge to read his books (although I knew he was a high-profile convert), largely because they were never recommended to me. Now I will actively avoid them. Appreciate the heads up.

A book club should protect as well as counsel, no?

[ExOrienteLux]

Anyway, to get off of the subject of bad novels written by Orthodox, let's talk about some good novels written by an Orthodox: Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

I'd gladly read either of them again for a book discussion (even though I'm reading them again now for Russian Lit).

[Mary of Bethany]

I just started re-reading Crime and Punishment, too.

[The Virginian]

Here's two which I've read, and will likely read many times over: The Communion of Love, by Matthew the Poor, and The Mystical Theology of The Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky. There's a third which I've already read twice (and am looking to get the follow-up and read it), FATHER ARSENY 1893-1973, Prisoner, Priest, Spiritual Father.
It was Frank Schaffer's Dancing Alone, which led me to correspond with Dr. Charles Ashanin, of blesed memory, whose work ESSAYS in ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY and CHURCH HISTORY is also on my bookshelf (Dr. Ashanin was Professor of Early Church History at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, until 1990). I agree that Schaffer is somewhat caustic.
Ok, so I have math problems, that's four books not two!



the sinful and unworthy servant

[Reader Nilus]

Here's two which I've read, and will likely read many times over: The Communion of Love, by Matthew the Poor, and The Mystical Theology of The Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky.

Those two have my approval.
Reader Nilus

[ExOrienteLux]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but how about St. John Damscene's On The Orthodox Faith ?

[Wiffey]

Lossky's Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church!

Great Lenten read: The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus

Also recommend: Elder Porphyrios: testimonies and experiences by Klitos Ioannidis (Elder Porphyrios was an Athonite monk who had a great gift of discernment.)
:)

Wiffey

[Vasya Davidovich]

Lossky's Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church!

Great Lenten read: The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus

Also recommend: Elder Porphyrios: testimonies and experiences by Klitos Ioannidis (Elder Porphyrios was an Athonite monk who had a great gift of discernment.)
:)

Wiffey
I have been forbidden from reading The Ladder of Divine Ascent by my priest. He told me it wasn't time yet. So although I have the book on file, in the interests of obedience I have yet to crack the spine. I am therefore jealous of you, Wiffey.

Todays recommendation:
The Spiritual Life by St. Theophan the Recluse. Amazing book, potentially life-changing.

[The Virginian]

Here's a thought: Why not have someone comb through the list of books which have been mentioned, and compile a list of them in some order according to the level of the members here. The members can then either ascent or deny , and when a final list is agreed upon, we go from there.
As I say, it's just a thought.



the sinful and unworthy servant

[Vasya Davidovich]

Here's a thought: Why not have someone comb through the list of books which have been mentioned, and compile a list of them in some order according to the level of the members here. The members can then either ascent or deny , and when a final list is agreed upon, we go from there.
As I say, it's just a thought.

Huh? I don't understand the clause in question.

[Wiffey]

Do you mean categorize the books by what target audience they would suit (introductory level v. more complex), then have members give feedback?

(forgive me I am sleep deprived!)
Wiffey

[Marjorie]

One book suggestion-- I intend to read Great Lent by Fr. Schmemann (I know I am obsessed!!!) before the Nativity fast, because his book, while focusing on the Lenten fast and Pascha, has a lot of wisdom in it about fasting and its true purpose. So maybe we could all read that.

Also, I am reading the autobiography of Abbess Thaisia (http://www.holycross-hermitage.com/mall/BookStore/AbbessThaisia.asp) right now (it was a gift to me from an online Orthodox friend along with incense and soap, all from a monastery :D:D:D)-- she was a spiritual daughter of St. John of Kronstadt and I would recommend it to anyone.

BTW, has anyone here suggested St. Maria Skobtsova's writings yet? Those are a must.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Eusebios]

One book suggestion-- I intend to read Great Lent by Fr. Schmemann (I know I am obsessed!!!) before the Nativity fast, because his book, while focusing on the Lenten fast and Pascha, has a lot of wisdom in it about fasting and its true purpose. So maybe we could all read that.


In IC XC,
Marjorie
Marjorie,
I whole-heartedly concur with you on this one. Great Lent is a wonderful and inspiring read.
Under His Mercy,
Eusebios.

[grov]

One book suggestion-- I intend to read Great Lent by Fr. Schmemann (I know I am obsessed!!!) before the Nativity fast, because his book, while focusing on the Lenten fast and Pascha, has a lot of wisdom in it about fasting and its true purpose.

Our Priest says that this book drove him to want to go to seminary (St. Vlad's).

George

[Marjorie]

It was my first Schmemann book, and it partially explains my Schmemannphilia. :D

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[xsearnold]

Yes. Not Dancing Alone, which is just mean-spirited. He wrote three novels about his childhood that are quite hilarious at the expense of his family. One novel totally trashes the memory of his father. I read the first and was annoyed; I read the second one, which was more graphic and was disgusted. Not gonna read #3!

I can tolerate a little raciness in a novel, but not from a Christian whose writing is a thinly veiled autobiography wherein he paints his family in such a way that they all look foolish to the max.

He should recall all those novels and burn them.
I don't think I would trivialize Dancing Alone as "just mean-spirited." For me, it seriously challenged me to take a look at the dogmatic positions I grew up believing, merely because they were taught from the pulpit. I am becoming increasingly convinced that Protestants in general are ignorant of Church history, when compared to some Catholics and most Orthodox. Also, I see that many here have been influenced by this book to read other books on Orthodoxy which have eventually led them to convert.

Regarding the Calvin Becker trilogy, they are perhaps slightly more graphic than Song of Solomon, and less graphic than the violence found in many Old Testament books. Arguably, they don't have the redeeming value of any book in canon. Yes, they seiously satirize what it is like to grow up in a "spiritual" family, particularly where the strong sense of piety comes from the mother, rather than the father. I have witnessed firsthand what can happen when false piety runs amok (not necessarily in my own family), so some of Calvin's experiences weren't outlandish from what I saw.

What I found even more interesting was the foreshadowing in the fictional upbringing of Calvin Becker with the eventual conversion to Orthodoxy of the author. Calvin was taken with the ritual and mysticism of the Catholic church in Portofino and found himself seriously questioning the Calvinism his father so staunchly held dear, as well as the ease with which his family would change their denominational affiliation whenever a minor disagreement arose (the same charges he laid against Protestantism in Dancing Alone).

Finally, Frank has written some excellent recent works centered around the sacrifice and dedication of mililtary personnel and their families in the US, starting with his own experiences when his son chose to enlist in the Marines rather than take the usual privileged route via the Ivy League.

Reasonable people can disagree about the raciness of his fictional works and the passions embodied in his non-fiction, but Frank Schaeffer's books are always thought-provoking, in my opinion, and well worth the read.

[The Virginian]

Sorry, despite my sometimes good intentions, my thoughts are not translated into the words I use. Wiffey has captured my intent,i.e., introductory vs advanced level, for not everyone is at the same level of spiritual mautrity.
Again, sorry for the confusion.

[pachomi33]

Hi new to this site. But has anyone recommended Being as Communion by +Zizoulios, and Ancestral Sin by Fr. Romanides? They really helped highlight the dogmatic differences with the West.Blessings

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hi new to this site. But has anyone recommended Being as Communion by +Zizoulios, and Ancestral Sin by Fr. Romanides? They really helped highlight the dogmatic differences with the West.Blessings
Hi, pachomi33! :wave: Welcome to TAW.:) I've heard of that first book, but haven't read it yet.

[Prawnik]

Hi, pachomi33! :wave: Welcome to TAW.:) I've heard of that first book, but haven't read it yet.

I've read "Being as Communion" - it is extremely deep, if you're anything like me, you'll have to read the first few chapters three times before you get any of it.

[Marjorie]

Hi new to this site. But has anyone recommended Being as Communion by +Zizoulios, and Ancestral Sin by Fr. Romanides? They really helped highlight the dogmatic differences with the West.BlessingsI've read Being as Communion-- I wrote my junior essay (for school) on its thesis as it relates to a novel we read (http://daphneisgood.tripod.com/essays/id7.html.)

VERY difficult book but it changed the way I view life itself.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[ShiFuBill]

The Orthodox Church and The Orthodoxy Way by Bp. Ware - goes without saying, but no one said it yet.
Facing East by Fredrica Mathews-Green - especially good for women in my opinion. I'm not one, but I just thought it would be.
The Book of Mystical Chapters by Fr. John Anthony McGuckin - selections from the Philokalia, for those who don't want to dive in too fast.
The second half of Christ the Eternal Tao by Heiromonk Damascene - The first half was a lot of poetry in the tradition of the DaoDeJing (Tao teh king) which I personally didn't prefer. The second half is an excellent overview of Orthodox spirituallity.

I've heard the Bible is pretty good, too.

DO NOT READ In the Spirit of Happyness by the monks of New Skete - I won't call it unOrthodox, but the first half sets out to tear down many things Orthodox belive in or practice (demons, the Jesus Prayer, ect.)

What would anyone recomend by Fr. Seraphim Rose?
bd

[xenia]

What would anyone recomend by Fr. Seraphim Rose?

Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future.

It's a good critique of the New Age movement.

[Prawnik]

Has anyone listed "Light in the Darkness" by Sergei Fudel? It is a sad and hopeful book, a very hard look at the Church in the darkest days of the Soviet Union, written by a man who twice spent time in prison for his faith.

[Nickolai]

DO NOT READ In the Spirit of Happyness by the monks of New Skete - I won't call it unOrthodox, but the first half sets out to tear down many things Orthodox belive in or practice (demons, the Jesus Prayer, ect.)

What would anyone recomend by Fr. Seraphim Rose?
bd

I don't recommend anyone have anything to do with NEW SKETE. They are rather UnOrthodox in their monastic practice as well as their theology. and rumor has it that they still honer the pope. (That is only a rumor, I have NOT been able to verify it.)

[xenia]

I am reading Salt of the Earth by St. Paul Florensky, about Elder Isodore. It is a wonderful book! You all will love it!

[Wiffey]

I just started reading the Orthodox Bible Study companion on the Epistle to the Romans, written by L. Farley. My husband and I are both looking forward to purchasing the Orthodox Study Bible when it is finished (both OT & NT).

[ufonium2]

DO NOT READ In the Spirit of Happyness by the monks of New Skete - I won't call it unOrthodox, but the first half sets out to tear down many things Orthodox belive in or practice (demons, the Jesus Prayer, ect.)

What would anyone recomend by Fr. Seraphim Rose?

Ugh! New Skete! They have made me seriously doubt whether we should put any stock in whether or not a group is "canonical."

A good place to read and read about Fr. Seraphim Rose is in the periodical "The Orthodox Word." It's published by the St. Herman of Alaska brotherhood in Platina, CA.

The also publish the Optina Elders series, which I can't recommend enough.

[xenia]

The Orthodox Word is my favorite magazine.

[Xpycoctomos]

Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity by J. Bajis.

If you have any friends (especially protestants) who don't understand the Church's view on Sola Scriptura and Tradition and how and why we differ from the West (namely Catholics), this is a GREAT book. Pretty scholaryly, but not so much taht you get lost. It's kind of in a textbook fashion. You can get it from Amazon for as low as $7.50 used (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0937032816/qid=1102412614/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-0817588-1466230?v=glance&s=books)(totally worth it) and it is not just some quick Q and A pmaphlet but gives pretty good indepth explanations and background to the most important issues that a Western Christian asks about when confronted withe Orhtodox Christianity. It is also very honest yet charitable... especially towards Protestants, but it does not bash Catholics either.

Agian... Mountain of Silence... excellent book.. I need to read it again. Same goes for Great Lent.

John

[Rilian]

Anyway, to get off of the subject of bad novels written by Orthodox, let's talk about some good novels written by an Orthodox: Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

I'd gladly read either of them again for a book discussion (even though I'm reading them again now for Russian Lit).

Have you read Dead Souls by Gogol?

[ExOrienteLux]

Have you read Dead Souls by Gogol?
YES!!!! That book is hilarious!

On an Orthodox note, however, has anyone here ever read the periodical Road to Emmaus? I've seen an ad for it in some magazine I was reading (might have been Touchstone or First Things) and it looked good. I was wondering if I should shell out $25 per year for four issues, though...

[Apostolos]

how about Eudokimov's The Holy Ghost in the Orthodox tradition?

[Euphrosynos]

:preach: If you believe that Orthodoxy is the true faith and not a universalist, there are some great books and reviews at the http://www.EuphrosynosCafe.com with new ones every month! :thumbsup:

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

:preach:If you believe that Orthodoxy is the true faith and not a universalist, there are some great books and reviews at the EuphrosynosCafe.comwith new ones every month! :thumbsup:
Hi, Euphrosynos!:wave: I haven't seen you here before. I hope we see more of you.:pray: We need more clergy.

[Suzannah]

St. Paul Florensky's "Salt of the Earth: the life of Elder Isidore".

This book, like no other, brings you into the heart, as opposed to the abstract mind, of Orthodoxy. Talk about "personal relationship with Jesus"....Elder Isidore explifies this to an extent I have rarely seen....

[Euphrosynos]

Thank you Elizabeth. I have been here before and unfortunately was as rude as I was being treated by others. Now that I have been ordained, I try not to act so unChristian. BTW the direct link to the Euphrosynos Cafe book club is on the newly designed portal page at http://euphrosynoscafe.com/portal/index.html

I want to apologize to those of you I have sparred with here before and I humbly ask your forgiveness. Most of those threads got deleted for not being SCOBA/SCOOCH friendly, so luckily my past behaviour is not on display. :-) Group hug or Slavic triple-kiss, whatever your preference.:groupray:

P.S. The EUphrosynos Cafe does now have a World Orthodoxy section if any of you are interested. It can be found at http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12

:wave:

[Suzannah]

Thank you Elizabeth. I have been here before and unfortunately was as rude as I was being treated by others. Now that I have been ordained, I try not to act so unChristian. BTW the direct link to the Euphrosynos Cafe book club is on the newly designed portal page at http://euphrosynoscafe.com/portal/index.html

I want to apologize to those of you I have sparred with here before and I humbly ask your forgiveness. Most of those threads got deleted for not being SCOBA/SCOOCH friendly, so luckily my past behaviour is not on display. :-) Group hug or Slavic triple-kiss, whatever your preference.:groupray:

P.S. The EUphrosynos Cafe does now have a World Orthodoxy section if any of you are interested. It can be found at http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12

:wave:

Well, I wasn't here then, so I have no idea what you are talking about. :hug: I'm happy to see you here....God bless you!

[Julio]

Dear ones in Christ,

There are six books which comprise, by far, the very best of my spiritual reading over this past year, and which have not yet been mentioned in this thread:

1) Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast. Florence:St Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery, 1998. [Reading this book, one understands why the priest entreats God during the Divine Liturgy that he will grant us sobriety of soul...]

2) Archimandrite Ioanichie (Balan). Shepherd of Souls: The Life and Teachings of Elder Cleopa, Master of Inner Prayer (1912-1998). Platina: St Herman's Press, 2000.

3) Elder Cleopa (Ilie). [i]The Truth of Our Faith: Discourses from Holy Scripture on the Tenets of Christian Orthodoxy. Thessalonica/London:Uncut Mountain Press, 2000. [Suffice it to say that which the people said of Our Lord when the fullness of time had come, and the Word dwelt among us: "He speaks as one with authority".]

4) Protopresbyter Dumitru Staniloae. Orthodox Spirituality: A Practical Guide for the Faithful and a Definitive Manual for the Scholar. South Canaan:St Tikhon's Seminary Press, 2002. [This is like a mirror, and a powerful examination light, to help us comb the depths of our souls, our affections, and our motivations.]

5) Protopresbyter Radomir Nikchevich and Vesna Nikchevich. The Mystery of the Wonderworker of Ostrog. Cetinje:Svetigora, [date?]. [Both the story of the transformation of the young man who comes to the Ostrog Monastery, to the relics of the saint, genuinely seeking, as well as the introduction to the life and miracles of St Basil --glory of Orthodox Montenegro-- cause a radical shift in the outlook of as many of us as may have a flawed expectation (and experience!) of the life in Christ, and cause in one the burning desire to live supernaturally, by God's grace.]

6) Demetrios Aslanadis and Monk Damascene Grigoriatis. Apostle to Zaire: The Life and Legacy of Blessed Father Cosmas of Grigoriou. Thessalonica/London:Uncut Mountain Press, 2001. [Again, the life of the Church, the mind of the Church, shine through every page, and teach us converts to never settle for less than what has been handed down to us from the days of the Apostles, no matter how preacarious our situation; for to do otherwise, reveals a profound lack of faith in the power of God, who could make the desert flourish, and cities become deserts.]

[Eusebios]

oops, see next post

[Eusebios]

YES!!!! That book is hilarious!

On an Orthodox note, however, has anyone here ever read the periodical Road to Emmaus? I've seen an ad for it in some magazine I was reading (might have been Touchstone or First Things) and it looked good. I was wondering if I should shell out $25 per year for four issues, though...
Josh,
I checked out the website, it looks very interesting. I also asked Fr. John about it and he said it is a good magazine, so I might check into it myself. You should have been recieved by now too! Sorry we couldn't make it, retail and all :(
In Xp,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[Prawnik]

Update: I got my own copy of "Light in the Darkness" for Nativity. I'd already read it, but I am happy to read it again!

[PandaBear]

The only Orthodox books I've read so far are The Orthodox Way and Facing East. Orthodox Way was amazing for me...very influential on my journey. I still need to read Orthodox Church. I'm also reading his conversion story in his first collected works. I haven't even begun to read Orthodox books, really. I'm grateful for the recommendations here.

PB

[Marjorie]

Welcome to TAW, Panda!!!

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[elizabethevangeline]

I just finished Father Arseny:1893-1973 Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father.


I have to say I'm an idiot. I was a history major in college. My senior paper was on the Soviet Union and Dissent. I addressed both political/intellectual and religious persecution. I read stories of believers in prison camps or mental institutions. I don't remember ever assuming that they weren't anything but Baptists!

:doh:

Now I'll have to dig out my old paper and footnotes...could I have just ignored the truth? :blush:

Loved Father Arseny. As scary as it would be, won't it be nice to have someone see right thru to who you really are?

[elizabethevangeline]

Yep.

I read all of Grey is the Color of Hope by Irina Ratushinshaya and never caught on that she was Orthodox.

I really was sheltered, and not very inquisitive.

:sigh:

[Rilian]

Did you read the Gulag Archipelago as part of it?

[elizabethevangeline]

Did you read the Gulag Archipelago as part of it?

No! Can you believe it?

I had 37 sources in my bibliography, looks like I have a broad representation of personal experiences and academic info about the Soviet system. I can't remember how I got on this subject. I might have read part of Gulag during another class...I had quite a few history, political science classes on the Soviet Union.

Looking at my bibliography makes me want to go back & read some of these books again. I read Ginzberg?! Who is Cornelia Gerstenmaier, Natalya Gorbanevskaya? It was only 15 yrs ago! :)

[DanielRB]

Hi All, :wave:

Though not a "great" book (either theologically or otherwise), what about "Becoming Orthodox" by Peter Gillquist? Has it been helpful to anyone in their journey towards Orthodoxy?

In Christ,

Daniel

[Dust and Ashes]

Hi All, :wave:

Though not a "great" book (either theologically or otherwise), what about "Becoming Orthodox" by Peter Gillquist? Has it been helpful to anyone in their journey towards Orthodoxy?

In Christ,

Daniel

I have the book but haven't read it yet. I'm currently reading Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells and it is amazing. I had bought it for my cousin who has become disillusioned with Protestantism and it had such an effect on him that I had to read it ASAP. I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone Orthodox or for any Protestant who is curious about Orthodoxy.

[Mary of Bethany]

I imagine most of us converts read "Becoming Orthodox" along the way. It certainly helped me. Plus I was able to hear Fr. Peter in person a couple of times, which also helped. I find that conversion stories are very meaningful to me, and I have a lot of books covering that subject.


Mary

[ufonium2]

There's a book published by the St. Herman of Alaska press, I don't have it in front of me but I think it's called "Beloved Sufferer." It's about a 20th-century Russian schemanun, Mother Macaria, who was very disabled, basically spent her whole life propped in a corner praying, and had some amazing experiences.

[xenia]

There's a book published by the St. Herman of Alaska press, I don't have it in front of me but I think it's called "Beloved Sufferer." It's about a 20th-century Russian schemanun, Mother Macaria, who was very disabled, basically spent her whole life propped in a corner praying, and had some amazing experiences.


I am reading this book now. I cannot comprehend the hardships this lady suffered.

[Verushka]

My priest recommend us (my fiancé and I) to read Paul Evdokimovs The sacrament of love when we first time talked him about our wedding plans. It's about sacramental mystery of human love between man and woman. This book is just amazing, I genuiely think every Christian should read it at least once in their lifetime!!
Verushka

[Marjorie]

The Doors of the Sea by David Bentley Hart is probably the best work I've read on theodicy ever... it's wonderfully Orthodox, steeped heavily in the Orthodox tradition, but in a way that it can appeal (and influence) non-Orthodox, and non-Christians...

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[contriteheart]

I'm currently reading "On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasius.

[Marjorie]

I'm currently reading "On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasius.

*swoons*

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[HandmaidenOfGod]

A fantastic book for those searching, or anyone for that matter is “Touching Heaven” by John Oliver. The publisher provides the following description:

"Deep in a northern Russian forest of jade and brown, far from any hint of civilization, Valaam Monastery sinks into the seasons of the year as it has for a thousand years before. . . ." So begins the story of John Oliver, a young evangelical American on a journey of discovery—a journey that leads him to an ancient Russian monastery, a place of peace and a place of struggle. For on Valaam, he encounters Orthodox Christianity and is reminded that the Christian life is not for the faint of heart. And on Valaam, the treasure of stillness requires a fierce guarding.”

I found this book to be of immense benefit to my prayer life, and would recommend it to anyone.

In XC,

Maureen

[The Virginian]

Where members discuss their latest Orthodox bestsellers from the last 2000 years....

:)

Enjoy

I am curently reading The Byzantine Ascetic and Spiritual Fathers, by Fr. Georges Florovsky. Besides being a polemic for monasticism and ascetical thought; as found in the New Testament, this work of Florovsky's also discusses in some detail the "spiritual struggle" we all face in our journey to communion with God.
Not all of us will be called by God to take a monastic vow. And yet, although we may 'live in the world', we are each called as Christians to enter that struggle monks and nuns enter, to acheive union/communion with our Creator.


:crosseo: "...and put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil....":crosseo:

[MiryamChesed]

I recommend the A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain by Met. HIEROTHEOS (Vlachos).
Reader Nilus
Oh yes! I *love* this book! I have found that it takes several readings: I have read it from cover to cover about 3 times and each time it reveals more and more riches. I could read it many more times and receive even more riches.

[cassc]

Hi everyone :wave:, I am brand new to the Christian Forums and I am so glad I found this thread because I LOVE talking/learning about Orthodoxy and finding out about great books! Well it has been said before but I loved The mountain of silence : a search for orthodox spirituality by Kyriacos C. Markides. Also At the Corner of East and Now: A Modern Life in Ancient Christian Orthodoxy by Frederica Mathewes-Green, which is more or less the sequel to Facing East which was mentioned earlier. While At the Corner, is more of an intro book and not at all heavy on the theology it is a pleasant read.
I look forward to talking more with you all!
~Cass

[cassc]

Oh I almost forgot while you all probably know this I am excited because I just learned that you can read The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware on the web. I know I can't post websites but you will find it if you search for "synaxis" then click the in text link "historical" I hope that is not too crazy and vague but I am getting tired! :confused:

[Mary of Bethany]

Welcome, miryam and cassc! Please also come and introduce yourselves in the main TAW forum.

Our parish just started a book study on "The Enlargement of the Heart". It is about Elder Sophrony and St. Silouan, written by a spiritual son of Elder Sophrony. We just started it after Vespers tonight. It promises to be very interesting.

Mary

[Knowledge3]

Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky

. .

[nikolayalexandroff]

Here's one I heard was good, haven't read it...yet;)

Pilgrimage to Dzhvari: A Woman's Journey of Spiritual Awakening
by Valeria Alfeyeva
Do you know, that Bishop Ilarion (Alfeev) of Vienna is her son? And he is portrayed in this book as a teenage boy, taking his first step into the Church? And a Georgian monk, one of the main characters of the book, predicted, that he will be a bishop. No one could suppose it in 1989, when the book was first published, and in 1984, when it was written.

[MariaRegina]

Do you know, that Bishop Ilarion (Alfeev) of Vienna is her son? And he is portrayed in this book as a teenage boy, taking his first step into the Church? And a Georgian monk, one of the main characters of the book, predicted, that he will be a bishop. No one could suppose it in 1989, when the book was first published, and in 1984, when it was written.

Interesting.

[Lukaris]

A good concise, substantive, & easily readeable book titled: Byzantine Christianity: Emperor, Church and the West by Harry J Magoulias c. 1970 Rand Mcnally isbn #? Lib of congres catlg#70-*75615. Really good overview of the Orthodox church development within the Byzantine empire to the 1453 conquest. Picked up at a small used book store; believe it can still be located on amazon. Only about 200pp. Heresies covered like Manicheism, Arianism etc. & theological breakdowns of the apostolic churches to the schism. The 7 Ecumenical councils etc..