Eastern Orthodox Theology

Eve Tibbs offers a comprehensive, yet very accessible, introduction to the beliefs and practices of the Eastern Orthodox Church for Western listeners. Tibbs has devoted her career to translating the Orthodox faith to an evangelical audience, and she has over 20 years of experience teaching this material to students. Assuming no prior knowledge of Orthodox theology, this survey covers the basic ideas of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, from its origins at Pentecost to the present day.

In a world drowning in noise, the wisdom of a 4th-century desert monk offers a lifeline to clarity, peace, and purpose. Evagrius of Pontus for Beginners is your guide to the profound teachings of one of Christianity’s most influential thinkers, presented in a way that’s accessible, transformative, and utterly relevant for modern life. Unlock the secrets of apatheia—a state of inner calm that frees you from the tyranny of distractions and passions. Master the eight evil thoughts that threaten your peace and learn practical strategies to overcome them with grace and resilience. ...

This audiobook has been made for three purposes. First, to provide the Orthodox listener with a competent overview of the history of Protestantism and its major traditions, from its beginnings in the 16th century to the present day. Second, to acquaint Orthodox and non-Orthodox listeners with a narrative of the historical relations between the Orthodox East and the Protestant West. Finally, to provide a summary of Orthodox theological opinion on the tenets of Protestantism.

He lived in a time when ideas could spark revolutions—or get you exiled. John of Damascus chose to write anyway. In a world split by empires, threatened by heresy, and shadowed by the rise of Islam, he didn’t retreat. He answered with logic, clarity, and conviction. And what he wrote still shapes how Christians worship, think, and speak about God today. He defended icons when the Church was ready to destroy them. He explained the Trinity in words so precise they’re still used in catechisms. He bridged Greek philosophy with Christian faith—centuries before the West caught up. He ...

Uncover the Depth and Beauty of an Ancient Faith, Thriving in Modern America The Orthodox Church in America is a story of resilience, devotion, and transformation. For centuries, its liturgies, icons, and teachings have drawn seekers to a profound spiritual life, one that balances sacred tradition with contemporary relevance. Orthodox Church in America: A Beginner's Guide: The Timeless Faith in a Changing Land is your gateway to understanding this extraordinary faith, brought vividly to life in a way that speaks to your curiosity and heart. Step Into the Mystique of Orthodoxy: From the ...

Gregory of Nyssa for Beginners: A Theological and Mystical Journey is the key to unlocking one of Christianity’s most influential yet often overlooked thinkers. This book offers a rare opportunity to explore the profound theological insights of Gregory of Nyssa, whose teachings continue to shape Christian thought. Discover the brilliance of Gregory’s ideas on the Trinity, salvation, and the soul’s eternal ascent toward God. His concept of theosis—the transformative process of becoming more like God—offers a revolutionary approach to Christian life, one that emphasizes growth, love...

What if prayer is not merely something you say—but a doorway into the living presence of God? In an age of noise, distraction, and spiritual exhaustion, the ancient wisdom of Gregory Palamas speaks with surprising power. He was a monk, bishop, theologian, and defender of one of Eastern Christianity’s most treasured spiritual traditions: hesychasm, the path of inner stillness and prayer of the heart. Gregory Palamas for Beginners offers a clear, engaging introduction to the man who taught that God cannot be grasped by the mind, yet can be truly known through grace. For readers curious ...

Unlock the mysteries of a faith that has guided hearts and minds for centuries. Serbian Orthodox Church for Beginners: Rituals, Saints, and Sacred Spaces is your ultimate guide to the rich traditions, spiritual practices, and inspiring history of Serbian Orthodoxy. Dive into the essence of a timeless tradition: Experience the Meaning of Rituals: Explore the significance behind sacred practices like the Divine Liturgy, Slava celebrations, and fasting periods, and how they shape the lives of believers. Connect with Inspiring Saints: Learn about Saint Sava and other pivotal figures whose faith...

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 181 This study regards the text from the perspective of a play in three acts with seven scenes, each focusing on one of the dramatis personae. It introduces the traditional Orthodox theology of the icon of the raising of Lazarus to illumine the text. Each Act closes with questions for prayer and pondering, making the monograph useful for a self-directed retreat. Of special liturgical interest in the Church’s preparation for Holy Week, this passage of Scripture is a timeless challenge to awaken us to awareness and aliveness. We are encouraged to leave behind what is ...

The Orthodox Christian tradition is one of the oldest and most contemplative streams of the Christian faith, yet it remains little known to many in the Western world. This anthology gathers five essays from distinguished twentieth-century writers who gave their lives to understanding, living, and articulating that tradition — each approaching it from a different angle, each illuminating a different facet of its inexhaustible depth. Each essay stands on its own as a work of theological depth and pastoral warmth, yet together they form a coherent meditation on the inner life of the Church: ...

In this short, accessible account of the Eastern Orthodox Church, John McGuckin begins by tackling the question "What is the Church?" His answer is a clear, historically and theologically rooted portrait of what the Church is for Orthodox Christianity and how it differs from Western Christians' expectations.   

Imagine a life where the chaos of the world fades into the background and you find yourself grounded in profound inner peace. Hesychasm for Beginners is your gateway to this ancient practice, a spiritual treasure rooted in centuries of wisdom and designed for modern seekers longing for stillness, clarity, and connection. Discover the transformative power of Hesychasm—a spiritual tradition that has inspired saints, mystics, and ordinary people alike. Whether you're a seasoned believer or simply seeking solace, this book offers practical steps to integrate sacred practices into your daily ...

Theosis is one of the most captivating ideas in Christian spirituality: the bold claim that human beings can share in the life of God. For centuries, this teaching has been preserved in the Church’s ancient traditions—yet it remains largely unknown to modern readers. Theosis for Beginners changes that. It takes this profound vision and makes it vivid, practical, and deeply motivating for anyone seeking authentic transformation. From the first page, readers are led into a world where spiritual growth is not an abstract ideal but the natural purpose of human life. The book explains what ...

What happens to the soul after death? Why does the Orthodox Church pray for the departed? Are memorial services, liturgies, alms, and prayers for the dead truly part of the apostolic faith? In On the Immortality of the Soul and Holy Memorials, St. Nektarios of Pentapolis gives one of the most substantial Orthodox treatments of the soul, death, remembrance of the departed, and the life to come. Originally published in Athens in 1901, this work is here presented in a fresh English translation from the Greek edition. Written with pastoral urgency and theological precision, St. Nektarios ...

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 067 Professor Andrew Louth shows how the Protestant theologian Karl Barth, in his approach to the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, opens up a fresh approach to Mary, the Mother of the Lord. Barth’s insights are of particular significance for dialogue between the Churches. Andrew Louth, an Orthodox priest, is Professor of Patristic and Byzantine Studies at the University of Durham, where he has taught since 1996. He taught previously in the Universities of Oxford and London and is an expert in the history and theology of Eastern Christianity. He is the ...

In a time when the foundations of modern Christianity are being reexamined and, in many cases, found wanting, Ancient Paths – Modern Gates emerges as a prophetic and Spirit-breathed invitation to return—not to tradition for tradition’s sake, but to the original DNA of the early church. This is not a nostalgic glance backward, nor a rejection of the institutional church. It is a clarion call to restoration: to rebuild according to heaven’s blueprint, with fresh fire and apostolic clarity. In an age of spiritual fatigue and disillusionment, this book offers a pathway forward for those...

What does it mean to live a truly spiritual life? How does a Christian move from outward observance to inward transformation? In this foundational work of Orthodox spiritual teaching, Saint Theophan the Recluse answers these questions with clarity, precision, and pastoral warmth. Written in the form of letters of guidance, this book unfolds as a practical introduction to the inner life, addressing readers who desire not theory, but real spiritual growth. Saint Theophan explains that the spiritual life is the awakening of the soul to communion with God. It requires the gathering of the mind,...

The Eastern Orthodox Church, is the world's second-largest Christian church, with more than 260 million members. It operates as a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by bishops in local synods. In this classic work Prof. Adrian Fortescue describes in detail the history, structure, and current state of the Orthodox Church. An excellent introduction for those seeking to better understand this historic apostolic church.

What if Christianity was never meant to be merely believed, but experienced? In Symeon the New Theologian for Beginners, you will meet one of the most daring spiritual voices in Christian history—a Byzantine monk who insisted that God’s light, love, and grace were not distant memories from the age of the apostles, but living realities available to the awakened heart. Symeon’s message was bold enough to unsettle religious authorities, tender enough to heal wounded souls, and luminous enough to shape centuries of Eastern Orthodox mysticism. Inside this clear and accessible guide, you ...

To many in the West, Orthodoxy remains shrouded in mystery, an exotic and foreign religion that survived in the East following the Great Schism of 1054 that split the Christian world into two camps - Catholic and Orthodox. However, as the second largest Christian denomination, Orthodox Christianity is anything but foreign to the nearly 300 million worshipers who practice it. For them, Orthodoxy is a living, breathing reality; a way of being Christian ultimately rooted in the person of Jesus and the experience of the early church.