Interested in reading about the Eastern Orthodox tradition

[“Paisios”]

Hi all, and sorry if this has been posted previously. I didn't notice any similar threads, but may have missed them. Could anyone recommend some good readings to introduce me to Eastern Orthodoxy?

I have Kallisto Ware's The Orthodox Way, and The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy on order, along with Adrian Fortescue's The Orthodox Church, and Frederica Mathewes-Green's welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity. I am currently reading her book The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God. I have started reading an English translation of Philokalia, and have previously read The Way of a Pilgrim.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Hi all, and sorry if this has been posted previously. I didn't notice any similar threads, but may have missed them. Could anyone recommend some good readings to introduce me to Eastern Orthodoxy?

I have Kallisto Ware's The Orthodox Way, and The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy on order, along with Adrian Fortescue's The Orthodox Church, and Frederica Mathewes-Green's welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity. I am currently reading her book The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God. I have started reading an English translation of Philokalia, and have previously read The Way of a Pilgrim.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

The primary book I have on Eastern Orthodoxy is a book of collected essays from various Orthodox scholars titled, Eastern Orthodox Theology: A Contemporary Reader - edited by Daniel B. Clendenin. However, I don't know that it will provide any more information than you will already have from the books you've listed above. I imagine that Orthodox scholars are fairly consistent among themselves in what they teach, unlike what is found among the variety of Protestants, so you could probably read one or two scholars, such as Kallisto Ware, and basically have what you need to know about the Orthodox Tradition of Christian Faith.

[By the way, I'm not specifically Orthodox, but I just thought I'd offer some info since I saw that you asked.]

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[“Paisios”]

The primary book I have on Eastern Orthodoxy is a book of collected essays from various Orthodox scholars titled, Eastern Orthodox Theology: A Contemporary Reader - edited by Daniel B. Clendenin. However, I don't know that it will provide any more information than you will already have from the books you've listed above. I imagine that Orthodox scholars are fairly consistent among themselves in what they teach, unlike what is found among the variety of Protestants, so you could probably read one or two scholars, such as Kallisto Ware, and basically have what you need to know about the Orthodox Tradition of Christian Faith.

[By the way, I'm not specifically Orthodox, but I just thought I'd offer some info since I saw that you asked.]

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

Thank you for the reply and suggestion.

 

[tstor]

Thank you for the reply and suggestion.

I have about three books on Byzantine history and all of them go into decent detail with the Eastern Church. So you could probably go to your local library and find some good history books that cover the church in detail.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I would add Suprised By Christ by Fr James Bernstein, God's Revelation to the Human Heart by Fr Seraphim Rose, and For the Life of the World by Fr Alexander Schmemann.

but the best thing to do is go to a Divine Liturgy and talk to the priest when finished.

 

[“Paisios”]

I would add Suprised By Christ by Fr James Bernstein, God's Revelation to the Human Heart by Fr Seraphim Rose, and For the Life of the World by Fr Alexander Schmemann.

but the best thing to do is go to a Divine Liturgy and talk to the priest when finished.

Thank you for both suggestions. I appreciate it.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you for both suggestions. I appreciate it.

no problem! remember books are great, but Orthodoxy is meant to be lived.

 

[“Paisios”]

no problem! remember books are great, but Orthodoxy is meant to be lived.

True and good advice for all Christians. But something I will remember, and consider.

 

[FenderTL5]

..remember books are great, but Orthodoxy is meant to be lived.

This is very true. Where many other traditions are something you know, believe and trust - Orthodoxy seems to be more a way of life. The teachings themselves come to life and are easier to understand when put into practice.

A book that I have recommended since reading it is 'Know the Faith' by Rev Michael Shanbour. It describes several fundamental Orthodox tenets and does some light contrasting with the Catholic/Protestant view of the same.

EDIT TO ADD:
When i double-checked the link, I noticed this quote about the book - which I think is very fitting.
"..it's greatest value comes from the extensive collections of quotations from the Scriptures and the Fathers supporting Orthodox faith and practice. This is the toolkit any Orthodox could use to respond to the questions and critiques of other Christians."

–Frederica Mathewes Green

 

[ArmyMatt]

and I should point out that I am not saying not to read. engage the noggin, just don't forget the rest of you.

 

[“Paisios”]

This is very true. Where many other traditions are something you know, believe and trust - Orthodoxy seems to be more a way of life. The teachings themselves come to life and are easier to understand when put into practice.

A book that I have recommended since reading it is 'Know the Faith' by Rev Michael Shanbour. It describes several fundamental Orthodox tenets and does some light contrasting with the Catholic/Protestant view of the same.

EDIT TO ADD:
When i double-checked the link, I noticed this quote about the book - which I think is very fitting.
"..it's greatest value comes from the extensive collections of quotations from the Scriptures and the Fathers supporting Orthodox faith and practice. This is the toolkit any Orthodox could use to respond to the questions and critiques of other Christians."

–Frederica Mathewes Green

Thank you. I will add that to my reading list.

and I should point out that I am not saying not to read. engage the noggin, just don't forget the rest of you.

No, I understood that. Understanding (or at least attempting to) is important, but I recognize the importance of being and living the faith.

 

[E.C.]

Recently canonized St Cleopa of Sihastria (Romanian) wrote one called "The Truth of Our Faith". I haven't read it myself, just browsed through, but I haven't heard anything negative and it reads like a catechism.

 

[FenderTL5]

Recently canonized St Cleopa of Sihastria (Romanian) wrote one called "The Truth of Our Faith". I haven't read it myself, just browsed through, but I haven't heard anything negative and it reads like a catechism.

I have it. It's good.
The format is Elder Cleopa answering, in what reads like round-table discussion with interested searchers. (he's referred to as Elder in the book).
I enjoyed it.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Recently canonized St Cleopa of Sihastria (Romanian) wrote one called "The Truth of Our Faith". I haven't read it myself, just browsed through, but I haven't heard anything negative and it reads like a catechism.

when was he glorified, (because he is awesome)?

 

[E.C.]

when was he glorified, (because he is awesome)?

I might be wrong, but I thought it was within the last five years.

 

[“Paisios”]

Recently canonized St Cleopa of Sihastria (Romanian) wrote one called "The Truth of Our Faith". I haven't read it myself, just browsed through, but I haven't heard anything negative and it reads like a catechism.

I have it. It's good.
The format is Elder Cleopa answering, in what reads like round-table discussion with interested searchers. (he's referred to as Elder in the book).
I enjoyed it.

Thank you both for the recommendation. I'll add it to my (now quite extensive) list.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I might be wrong, but I thought it was within the last five years.

I know some from Sihastria were glorified, but I didn't think he was yet on the list.

hhhmmmmm