In the "Mystery of Faith" Hilarion Alfeyev provides a personal commentary on the teaching of the Orthodox Church, its historical development and its relationship to the spiritual life. Drawing on ancient texts and contemporary sources, he combines a clear exposition of the central doctrines of God, the Trinity, creation, the Church, prayer and the sacraments with an exploration of their meaning for today.

Available from our parish bookstore.

Since it was first published in 1963, Bishop Kallistos (Timothy) Ware's book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. In Part One, he describes the history of the Eastern Church over the last two thousand years. In Part Two, he explains the doctrine and worship of the Orthodox Church. In this latest edition, he also takes full account of the totally new situation confronting Eastern Christians since the collapse of Communism.

Available from our parish bookstore.

This book is a general account of the doctrine worship and life of Orthodox Christians by the author of the now classic "The Orthodox Church." It raises the basic issues of theology: God as hidden yet revealed; the problem of evil; the nature of salvation; the meaning of faith; prayer; death and what lies beyond.  Throughout the book, Bishop Kallistos shows the meaning of Orthodox doctrine for the life of the individual Christian. A wealth of texts drawn from theologians and spiritual writers of all ages accompanies the presentation, revealing Orthodoxy not just as a system of beliefs, practices and customs, but, indeed, as the way.

Available from our parish bookstore.

This unpretentious little book was written to "describe Orthodoxy from the inside to those outside."  At the same time, as its author suggests, it may serve as "an episcopal pastoral letter" for the Orthodox themselves, for it deals with the Orthodox faith in its most basic elements, revealing with remarkable simplicity and directness its message of salvation for all mankind.

Available from our parish bookstore.

An extrememly popular four-volume series introducing the Orthodox Faith. The author is Fr. Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminary. Each volume of the series is divided into short, easily digestible chapters.

Volume I, "Doctrine," covers the Sources of Christian Doctrine, the Orthodox understanding of the articles of the Nicene Creed, and the Holy Trinity.

Volume II, "Worship," explores the Church Building, the Sacraments, the Daily Cycle of Prayer, the Liturgical Year, and The Divine Liturgy.

Volume III, "Bible and Church History," discusses issues of Biblical inspiration, summarizes the content of the Old and New Testaments as Salvation History, and takes the reader on a brief tour of Church History.

Volume IV, "Spirituality," considers such topics as the Beatitudes, the Virtues, Love, Fasting and Alms-giving, and Sexuality and Married Life.

Available from our parish bookstore.