What next?

[Momzilla]

I'm almost finished with Bishop Ware's book (and I will be sorry to see the end of it). What should I read next?

I may try to get a copy of "searching for God in a Land of Shallow Wells" through interlibrary loan. Or, I could get a book on icons. Or, I could print some of the writings of the early church fathers and read those.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'll also ask Fr. Marcus on Sunday.

[Oblio]

The Truth of our Faith by Elder Cleopa of Romania is good.
Clark Carlton's Our Faith is a nice easy to digest catechism.

[Oblio]

On the Incarnation (http://www.gty.org/~phil/history/ath-inc.htm#ch_0) by St. Athanasius is one of my favorites too :)

[Philip]

I'm almost finished with Bishop Ware's book (and I will be sorry to see the end of it). What should I read next?

Which of Bishop Ware's books did you read?

[Matrona]

The Shallow Wells one is good--I've been carrying a copy with me lately. I liked it because it explained a lot about Orthodoxy, without using a lot of jargon or going over my head.

I would say the best book, though, is Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. It's not an informational book per se, but it gave me a wonderful perspective on how (and why) Russian Christianity survived under the brutal soviet atheistic oppression. It's the story of a Russian priest and his steadfast faith despite the horrors he suffered in the gulag.

I don't know if you can find it from the library, but www.half.com (http://www.half.com) usually has very good prices on books like this.

[Momzilla]

Phillip, I read "The Orthodox Church."

Matrona, the book section at half.com is the bane of my existence.... I am an unrepentant book buyer, but we're a one-income family, so I've got to conserve my resources. As cheap as half.com is, the library is cheaper.

Hmmmm.... it's just occurred to me to wonder whether I can obtain library privileges at the college across the street from my neighborhood--my neighbor is a librarian there....

[Rilian]

Hi Momzilla, after reading "The Orthodox Church" I read Bishop Kallistos' "The Orthodox Way" and found it very useful. Especially the chapter that covers prayer.

[Oblio]

Beginning to Pray by Met. Anthony Bloom of Blessed memory.

[Philip]

Hi Momzilla, after reading "The Orthodox Church" I read Bishop Kallistos' "The Orthodox Way" and found it very useful. Especially the chapter that covers prayer.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

That is what I was going to say. The Orthodox Way explains the theology and practices of Orthodoxy in more depth than The Orthodox Church (which is more oriented toward history). Of course, since it was written by Bishop Kallistos Ware it is approaches Orthodoxy from a Western viewpoint

[Orthosdoxa]

I'm almost finished with Bishop Ware's book (and I will be sorry to see the end of it). What should I read next?

I may try to get a copy of "searching for God in a Land of Shallow Wells" through interlibrary loan. Or, I could get a book on icons. Or, I could print some of the writings of the early church fathers and read those.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'll also ask Fr. Marcus on Sunday.
Hi Momzilla!!!

I think anything by Clark Carlton would be great - someone mentioned his catechism - I'm also quite fond of "What Every Protestant Should Know About the Orthodox Church". Also, I think some spiritual reading would be great - like if you could get a book of sayings of the Desert Fathers, for example. There's also a book called "An Orthodox Anthology of Prayer" that I found at Borders, full of wise sayings about prayer by St. Theophan the Recluse and others.

My heart is singing!!! This is wonderful!!! I joined this board for a bit o' fellowship, not realizing there'd be so many inquirers and that I'd be able to watch, even from a far, those who are finding their way Home!!!:clap: I love it!!!

[Umut]

I've read the Orthodox Way, and I'm on page 40 of the The Orthodox Church.

The Orthodox Church is more about the history of the Church, some theology in there.

You know what's a good book, and easy to digest? The Way of the Pilgrim & the Pilgrim Continues his Way. Try those books.

Also, The Art of Prayer looked good to me. There are so many books! Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Fr. Blessed Seraphim Rose. Genesis, and Early Creation (or something like that) is also a good book by Fr. Seraphim Rose.

Andreas is getting me the first volume of the Philokalia! THE PHILOKALIA!!!

God bless that wonderful man.

Any of those books I've mentioned and people have mentioned is good. THe Way of the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues his Way teaches about the unceasing Jesus Prayer.

Believe me! It will change your life. I've practised the Jesus Prayer unceasingly; it feels amazing! If I stop I feel like something is eating me up really fast on the inside. It's wonderful, brings me closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Try that book. (Two books in one)

[Matrona]

Andreas is getting me the first volume of the Philokalia! THE PHILOKALIA!!!

God bless that wonderful man.
Umut, do you have a spiritual father?

The Philokalia absolutely should not be read outside of proper guidance from a spiritual father. It is not for beginners.

[Momzilla]

what is the philokalia?

[katherine2001]

Momzilla, you might want to buy a copy of "Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells"--especially if you have many friends and family who are Evangelicals or Charismatics. I wish this book had been available when I first started reading about the faith. I let my best friend (who was Baptist--she's not going anywhere now) read it after I finished it and she loved it. It's very well written and he is very respectful of the other churches. I met Matthew Gallatin this summer at a women's retreat that was being hosted by the church he attends and serves as a reader. He is a wonderful man. My copy of the book is dog-eared and I may end up having to get another copy. Definitely get it through the library if you can, but I think you may wanting a copy of your own after you read it.

[countrymousenc]

Momzilla, you can also read (for free online) the early Church Fathers. I highly recommend it!

http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8074.asp

[countrymousenc]

And there's a lot of good basic information here:

http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Orthodox-Faith/index.htm