The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity

Very very good. It is an amazing introduction to the Orthodox Church. Has a comprehensive history of the church, detailing the great schism, conversion of the Slavs, and many details of the history of the church from Jesus to the 2010s. Has a second part on the actual doctrine, beliefs, and practices of the Orthodox Church, which is very comprehensive as well. The book itself is almost overflowing with knowledge and we must be careful not to feel like scholars after reading it, because it seems like all the information you can know (though we shouldn’t be prideful.). Cites sources on almost every page as well. Also introduces you to the lives of many saints, and overall a great introduction to Orthodoxy. Compact and good for travel, no problems with small text as others have said. (The photo I attached is the only one I have, don’t have the book with me currently)

Christ be with y’all, and may His Spirit guide you as you read this! I picked up The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware (now Metropolitan Kallistos) to get a better grasp on the Church’s teachings and history—and honestly, it’s a fantastic read. He does a great job explaining the faith in a way that’s clear and not too heavy, even when diving into deep stuff. The history section is especially helpful—it walks you through the early Church, the schism, and what happened after, without getting overwhelming. And the parts on theology and worship really helped me see how everything fits together in the Orthodox life. If you’re starting to explore Orthodoxy or want a solid overview, this book is a great companion. It’s like having a wise, calm guide walk you through the tradition step by step. May your reading be blessed and your heart be strengthened on the path!

I am still reading this book, though I am nearly finished. The book is divided into two main parts: the history of the Orthodox Church, and it's theology and worship. I was mainly interested in the latter, and I imagine most people interested in this book are the same. So, I need to say, the first part of the book is important to understand the second, especially the early chapters. If you skip to the Faith and Worship section, certain aspects of it will be difficult to understand without the historical background detailed in the first half of the book. For instance, he quotes Lossky often throughout the book, and the historical context of Lossky's life facilitates understanding his contributions to theology. Or, the historical background of the East-West schism is necessary to understand the perspectives and differences in East-West theology today. Metropolitan Ware is very knowledgeable and it shows throughout the book. He cites many sources, and expresses his opinions in a thoughtful way. It is certainly an advanced vocabulary and subject, I oftentimes have to re-read paragraphs and occasionally look up unfamiliar words, which I think is a good thing. It is a fascinating subject, and during my work day I find myself looking forward to when I can continue reading it at home. If you are interested in the Orthodox faith, this is a good place to start in my opinion, though I am just getting started myself. Edit: I've finished the book. One of the best features in this book is the Further Reading section. If there's any aspect of the book that the reader thinks wasn't covered enough, or if something piques their interest, there are recommendations on where to go from here.

Good explanation of the Orthodox Church and what makes it special.

This is a good survey of the faith, history and development of Eastern Christianity as it took shape among the Orthodox. It covers the early developments in Christianity through its first 8 centuries of common development and the 7 Ecumenical Councils recognized by most Christians (East and West, Catholic and Protestant) that settled basic doctrinal controversies in the Christian faith. About half the book traces the history of the Church, the East/West split, and the spread of the Orthodox faith beyond its historic centers in the eastern Mediterranean to the Balkan peninsula, eastern Europe, Russian and beyond down to shortly after the breakup of the Soviet Union. It introduces many key figures who are largely unknown in the western Church. I discusses key doctrinal emphasis and practices in Orthodox Christianity and gives a sense of the more "right-brained" approach to these in the East. The Eastern approach to worship and its key elements is well covered. It written in a readable style from the perspective of an "insider" for the benefit of those who are not, as well as laity who want to know more about their own tradition. It is a good introduction for college-level study or persons interested in religion.

Insightful view. Enlightening

Look no further! This book dives deep into the history of Orthodoxy. If you're a nerd like I am and interested in religion, this is a must-read.

This is helpful for those wanting to get into Christian Orthodox! Truth is found within it!

gut

A very complete and well organized book about the history of the Orthodox Church and the basic fundamentals of its doctrine. It's written in an interesting and enjoyable style to read. I recommend this book for anyone interested in knowing more about Orthodox Church history and faith.

This book is a must for anyone who wishes to learn about Orthodoxy. However it only covers the Eastern Orthodox Churches and not the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Reducing the size of the print presumably made the book cheaper to publish, but it has ruined the reading experience. I hate leaving a book unfinished, but I doubt I'll plough all the way through this.

Everyone should have this