An Introductory Hand-Out for Someone Considering the Orthodox Faith

Since Christian faith is, above all, a matter of living a different kind of life-style in our Lord Jesus Christ, a person coming to Orthodoxy must be prepared not only to accept certain ideas, but above all to open himself or herself to God in a new way. This often entails a deep change in how one lives—what the Gospel calls repentance. By way of starting this journey of newness in Christ, the following guide is useful:

• “How Can I Know God” by Protopresbyer Thomas Hopko.

Basic Materials for Learning about the Orthodox Faith

For those who are intersted in exploring the Orthodox faith (or for growing in their faith), the following resources offer good treatments of the Church’s teaching. Most are readily available in print; those which are found for free online are noted as such.

• Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Church (a classic primer on the Church that has been an entry-point for countless numbers of converts)
• Archbishop Paul (of Finland), The Faith We Hold (a short, synoptic text)
• Fr Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World (a beautiful exposition of the Church’s sacramental nature)
• Fr Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith (this is available in print; it is also available online for free)
• Recently, the Orthodox Church in America has published a catechism for use: Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs: A Manual for Adult Instruction. It may be found online.

For those coming from a western Christian background, many different resources on the uniqueness of Orthodoxy can be found from many different perspectives. As one starting point for reflection, the following essay may be useful:

• “How Does Orthodoxy Differ From the Western Denominations?” by Metropolitan Anthony Khrapovitsky

Finally, although some object to the following two texts since they were written under the influence of western catechetical models, both of these texts were written by men who were subsequently recognized as saints, and both were blessed for broad use in the Church at various times. They thus remain worthy of engagement:

• The Orthodox Confession of St Peter Mogila (found online)
• The Longer Catechism of The Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church, by St Philaret of Moscow (found online)

Resources for Engaging the Divine Services

• “Children and the Divine Liturgy,” by Archbishop Paul (Gassios)
• The Year of Grace of our Lord, by a Monk of the Eastern Church (i.e., Fr Lev Gillet)
• “A Simple Commentary on the Divine Liturgy,” by Archimandrite Ephrem Lash

Resources for Those Who Read and Serve during the Divine Services

• Reader’s Workshop (given at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Detroit)
• “To Serve in My Father’s House: Reflections on the Service of the Holy Altar,” by Bishop Irenei (Steenberg) (an important reading for those who serve, or those who wish to serve, in the altar
• “The Divine Services,” byArchpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy
• An Explanation of the Lectionary

Resources for the Daily Scripture Readings & Daily Saints / Feasts

• Daily Scripture Readings (according to the lectionary of the OCA)
• Lives of the Saints (according to the synaxarion of the OCA)

Resources for Preparing for Confession

Before confession (and also before communion), a person should do a thorough self-examination of conscience. There are many different forms of self-examinations available. Some proceed, e.g., by going through the Ten Commandments; others proceed more thematically. The following examinations have been collected from different sources and are offered together so that one can find one that best suits his current disposition and spiritual state.

• A simple self-examination from The Way of a Pilgrim
• A self-examination based on the Ten Commandments & the Beatitudes
• A thorough self-examination (a resource circulating in the Diocese of the South of the OCA)
• An examination for children
• An examination based on the Ten Commandments

For general guidance on how to make a good confession, see also the following brief essay: “Proper Confession”

Liturgical & Prayer Resources Available Online

• Texts for the divine services (as published by the OCA)
• Liturgical resources in English (Menaion, Octoechoes, Triodion, Pentecostarion, etc.)
• An Orthodox Prayerbook (i.e., the Jordanville Prayerbook)
• Morning and Evening Prayers (excerpted from the prayerbook published by St Tikhon’s Monastery)
• Akathist Hymn for Those Who Have Fallen Asleep (a fitting service to pray for one’s beloved departed)

Resources for Entering the Church's Fasting Tradition

• “Fasting for Non-Monastics,” by Fr Sergei Sveshnikov
• “Simple Tips for Keeping Lent in our Families,” by Virginia Nieuwsma
• “The Lenten Fast: Its Rule and Spirit,” by Fr Ayman Kfouf
• “The Meaning of Fasting in the Orthodox Church,” by Fr Milan Savich
• “Fasting and Fast-Free Seasons of the Church”
• “Fasting Throughout the Year”
• “Orthodox Fasting” (helpful for parents especially to teach kids)

Resources for Entering More Deeply into the Church’s Spiritual & Ascetic Tradition

• “Rules for a Pious Life” by Archbishop Platon
• “55 Maxims” by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko
• Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox Ascetical and Mystical Tradition, by a Monk of the Eastern Church (i.e., Fr Lev Gillet) (out of print; used copies might be found for purchase online)
• Orthodox Spirituality: A Practical Guide for the Faithful and a Definitive Manual for the Scholar, by Fr Dumitru Staniloae (out of print; but it can be purchased to be read via Kindle)
• On the Prayer of Jesus, by St Ignatius Brianchaninov
• The Arena, by St Ignatius Brianchaninov
• The Field, by St Ignatius Brianchaninov
• The Ascetical Homilies, by St Isaac the Syrian
• The Life in Christ, by St Nicholas Cabasilas
• Commentary on the Divine Liturgy, by St Nicholas Cabasilas
• Beginning to Pray, by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
• Coming Closer to Christ: Confession and Forgiveness, by Metropolitan Anthony [Bloom] of Sourozh
• Confession:A Series of Lectures on the Mystery of Repentance, by Metropolitan Anthony (Krapovitsky) (available online)
• The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer, by Bishop Irenei (Steenberg)
• Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth, by Tito Colliander