Orthodox History

The understandable, deeply authoritative and bestselling book on the Orthodox Church, in a fully updated and revised Third Edition.

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 ...

In recent years, something curious is happening in the church scene. Some Evangelicals are drawn to the Eastern Orthodox Church (or to Roman Catholicism). The ancient churches offer an alternative to liberal mainline Protestant churches and theologically compromised charismatic and Evangelical churches. They reject the LGBTQ+ agenda, promote protective masculinity, and stand for pro-life issues. While many Christians would still affirm these values, what else is involved in the trade-off? What about the authority of scripture or tradition? Is faith in Christ enough for salvation, or must ...

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.   

Understanding Christian Denominations: A Guide to Doctrines, Worship, and Beliefs Across the Church Are you curious about the real differences between Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and the many branches of Protestantism? Do you want a clear, concise guide to how Christians around the world understand salvation, scripture, sacraments, and worship? This comprehensive and reader-friendly book breaks down the complex world of Christian denominations—without bias, jargon, or theological confusion. Understanding Christian Denominations explores the key beliefs, practices, and structures that define ...

Immerse yourself in the profound world of one of the oldest and most fascinating Christian traditions with Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church: A Beginner's Guide. This comprehensive introduction is your gateway to understanding the rich tapestry of faith, culture, and history that defines the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Discover the ancient roots and enduring legacy of a church that has been a beacon of faith for over 1,600 years. With this guide, you'll uncover the deep spiritual practices and vibrant traditions that continue to inspire millions. Unlock the Secrets of Ancient Faith: Delve ...

For nearly a thousand years following its foundation, there was only one Christian church. Centered in the city of Rome, the church expanded and grew until it became the dominant religion in Europe and beyond. The early growth of the Church had been suppressed by the Romans until the Emperor Constantine became the first to convert the empire to Christianity. From that point forward, the growth of the Church was inextricably linked with the Roman Empire - the most powerful military, economic, and political force in the ancient world.

What does it mean to be both devout and modern? To live a life shaped by Jewish law while thriving in a world of technology, academia, and cultural diversity? Modern Orthodox Judaism for Beginners is your roadmap to understanding a faith that embraces tradition without retreating and engages with modernity without surrendering. Master the foundations of Jewish law. What is Halakha, and why does it still shape Jewish life today? Discover how it governs everything from ethics to daily routines, guiding everything from keeping kosher to handling workplace dilemmas. Faith and reason go hand in ...

In 1962, the young Eugene Rose - the future Hieromonk Seraphim - undertook to write a monumental chronicle of the abandonment of truth in the modern age. Of the hundreds of pages of materials he compiled for this work, only the present essay, on nihilism, has come down to us in completed form. Here Eugene reveals the core of all modern thought and life - the belief that all truth is relative - and shows how this belief has been translated into action in our era. Today, more than half a century after he wrote it, this essay is more timely than ever.

Unlock the Mysteries of the World’s Oldest Christian Church Step into a world where faith meets history, where ancient traditions still breathe life into modern worship. Coptic Orthodox Church: A Beginner's Guide takes you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most enduring Christian communities, illuminating its spiritual depth, cultural richness, and timeless resilience. Discover how the faith of St. Mark, the church’s founder, flourished in the sands of Egypt. Walk alongside the Desert Fathers and Mothers who shaped monasticism for the world. Experience the beauty of Coptic ...

The Foundations of Christian Monasticism Ancient Monastic Rules gathers in one substantial volume the great early guides to the common life: St. Pachomius the Great, St. Basil the Great, St. John Cassian, and St. Benedict of Nursia. Collected by St. Theophan the Recluse from the 1892 Russian edition, this work brings together the spiritual architecture of Christian monasticism: obedience, prayer, labor, fasting, humility, repentance, brotherly love, correction, and the disciplined pursuit of holiness. This is not merely a historical curiosity. It is a treasury of ascetic wisdom showing how ...

Using a method taught by an Orthodox Christian priest for almost 20 years, you'll learn the easy way, the right way, how to read the Bible according to the 2000 year practice of the Orthodox Church. Now, using this simple method you'll learn the best way to put this important discipline to use for maximum spiritual benefit.

Discover the Bible the World Forgot — Until Now What if the Bible you've been reading your whole life is missing books? Not because they don't exist — but because they were quietly set aside by Western councils while one ancient African church faithfully preserved them for over 1,600 years. The Ethiopian Bible Study Guide is your complete, authoritative journey into the world's oldest and most complete biblical canon — the 81-book scripture of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Written for curious Christians, serious Bible students, and spiritual seekers hungry for deeper truth, ...

They called him a saint. His enemies called him dangerous. But history remembers him as the man who dared to define the nature of Christ when the church stood on the edge of fracture. Cyril of Alexandria: A Beginner’s Guide is not just a book—it’s your front-row seat to one of the fiercest theological battlegrounds in Christian history. If you’ve ever wondered how the early church survived heresy, imperial pressure, and internal war, you’ll find the answer in the life of one bishop who refused to back down. Cyril wasn’t interested in theories. He wanted truth nailed down, ...

Dive into a world of timeless faith and rich heritage with Two Pillars of Orthodoxy: Serbia and Poland's Sacred Legacy. This 2-in-1 volume seamlessly brings together Serbian Orthodox Church for Beginners and Polish Orthodox Church: A Beginner's Guide—a perfect blend of history, spirituality, and cultural discovery. Uncover Sacred Treasures: Explore the awe-inspiring monasteries of Serbia and the resilient beauty of Poland’s Orthodox sanctuaries. Each location is steeped in stories of devotion and resilience, connecting you to centuries of tradition. Meet Saints and Heroes: From Saint ...

Who is Jesus Christ? For centuries, Christians have answered that question with words shaped by one of the most important councils in church history. In 451 AD, bishops gathered at Chalcedon to confront a debate that had divided the ancient church: Was Jesus fully divine? Fully human? One person? Two natures? And why did the answer matter so much? Council of Chalcedon for Beginners: Understanding the Ancient Debate Over Christ’s Divinity and Humanity takes readers inside the drama, conflict, and lasting significance of the council that helped define Christian belief for generations. This ...

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 ...

The King James Version has continued to this day to be one of the most beloved and widely sought-after translations of the Bible into the English language. Now over 400 years old, the King James Version has been shaping Christians for centuries with its majesty and solemnity.

Second book of the series 'Living for Christ'. Among the most haunting and luminous figures in the history of ascetic struggle stands Saint Mary of Egypt. Her life, painted with the darkest shadows of sin yet illuminated by the fiercest light of repentance, is a story that both terrifies and consoles. It reveals the abyss of human weakness, but even more, the inexhaustible depths of God’s mercy. Saint Mary of Egypt’s life remains a powerful reminder that no one is beyond God’s mercy, and that even the most wayward soul can be transformed into a beacon of holiness. This series shares ...

Welcome to the Orthodox Church - its history, theology, worship, spirituality, and daily life. This friendly guide provides a comprehensive introduction to Orthodoxy, but with a twist: listeners learn by making a series of visits to a fictitious church, and get to know the faith as new Christians did for most of history, by immersion. Mathews-Green provides commentary and explanations on everything from how to "venerate" an icon, the Orthodox understanding of the atonement, to the Lenten significance of tofu.