In my experience, some writings in this section can be quite profound and difficult to grasp — they may feel intimidating at times. However, a priest once advised me not to worry about what I don’t understand when reading spiritual texts but to focus on what I do understand, as comprehension will deepen over time. Over the years, as I revisit different texts, I have seen that he was right.
Fundamentals of Orthodoxy
The Orthodox Faith, by Fr. Thomas Hopko. A four-volume book series on the fundamentals of Orthodoxy that is also available online on the OCA website.
The Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow. An authoritative doctrinal standard of the Orthodox Church available in two versions, the short and the long one. The whole text can be found online (short version – long version) and as a book.
The Truth of our Faith by Elder Cleopa of Romania, Volume 1 and Volume 2. Elder Cleopa answers the questions of inquirers into Orthodoxy.
Introducing the Orthodox Church by Fr. Anthony Coniaris. This short book is an easy-to-understand guide to the fundamentals of the Orthodox Church. It is out of print, but there is a free online version of it here.
The Christian vs the University by Garrison McKeen Cattell. I also included this excellent apologetics book in the suggested books for teens, as I find it very helpful for both older teens and adults. This small book is an excellent resource for anyone teaching older children – middle school and above. It is now a standard Sunday School gift to our parish graduating high school seniors. The Orthodox author, known as “The Willard Preacher” for his open-air evangelism on Penn State University’s campus since 1982, addresses important moral and controversial issues of our time in clear and accessible language.
Spiritual life
Some of the books in this section can be quite daunting. The value of a spiritual father’s guidance for processing these kinds of texts can’t be emphasized enough.
The Evergetinos. A four-volume collection of Orthodox spiritual writings that offers guidance drawn by the lives of third and fourth century desert fathers and mothers. It is considered a classic on Orthodox spirituality, together with the Philokalia (see below). There is a shorter version of it in Greek, the Small Evergetinos (if you can understand Greek, you can hear it being read on this YouTube playlist). This book was given to my husband and me as a wedding gift by our spiritual father in Greece, 25 years ago. It took me decades to feel comfortable reading parts of it – still, it holds a special place in my heart.
The Philokalia. A four-volume series of texts written between the fourth and fifteenth centuries by monks, Orthodox spiritual masters – one more classic of the genre. Among the prominent examples of texts where the guidance of a spiritual father can be essential. You can listen to parts of it for free on Patristic Nectar Publications here.
Unseen Warfare. Another spiritual classic that explores the inner struggle of every Christian in the pursuit of holiness. It was initially written by a sixteenth-century Venetian priest, later edited by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, and subsequently refined and translated by St. Theophan the Recluse. Once again, it is one of those books for which the guidance of a spiritual father can be truly beneficial.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus. One more timeless classic on Orthodox spirituality, it is read aloud each year during Great Lent in the refectories of Orthodox monasteries around the world. This book is, again, most effectively studied under the guidance of a spiritual father.
The Unseen Warfare series by Fr. Jack Spark. This is a simplified version of the original Unseen Warfare, written for contemporary Western audiences, in three small volumes: Prayer in the Unseen Warfare – Virtue in the Unseen Warfare – Victory in the Unseen Warfare. Without being watered down, it is easier to read and friendlier than the original.
God’s Path to Sanity by Dee Pennock. This small book is a helpful summary of the patristic teachings on dealing with passions and attaining sanity in the love of Christ. It is currently out of print, but available on Kindle as an ebook.
The Way of the Pilgrim, one more Orthodox spiritual classic. Written in the nineteenth century by an anonymous Russian pilgrim, most probably a monastic, it explores the writer’s pursuit of ceaseless prayer.
My Life in Christ by St. John of Kronstadt. This the the saint’s own journal, and includes a collection of brief reflections challenging the Orthodox Christian to sincerely, honestly, and diligently live the life of the Gospel.
Spiritual counsels of St. Paisios of Mt. Athos – Parts of this series of six volumes were among the first books of this genre that I read, decades ago. They include the advice of this greatly beloved contemporary saint to his spiritual daughters, the nuns at the monastery of St. John the Theologian in Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece. The saint’s profound wisdom is conveyed in a simple, warm, and endearing manner.
Wounded by love, The Life and Wisdom of St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia. Another beloved Greek contemporary saint, he recounts his life story and discusses the spiritual life in clear, deeply thoughtful, and richly insightful words. Together with St. Paisios’ books, it was among the first books on the Orthodox life that I read.
Any text by Archimandrite Aemilianos of Simonopetra. His writings, often transcribed from recorded talks, can be challenging to understand since they were originally addressed to monastics. Yet, they can be deeply moving, and certain passages in his books have been eye-opening for me.
The Lord of Spirits, a years-long podcast and book by Fathers Stephen De Young and Andrew Stephen Damick, focusing on “enchantment in creation and the union of the seen and unseen, as made by God and experienced by mankind throughout history”. I especially enjoy the nerdy vibe and thorough knowledge of these scholarly fathers.
Understanding Scripture
The Orthodox Bible Study Companion Series by Archpriest Laurence Farley. This Orthodox-focused commentary series was written for the average layperson, explaining the meaning of the text in everyday language.
The Christian Old Testament: Looking at the Hebrew Scriptures through Christian Eyes by Archpriest Laurence Farley. A small book exploring the Christian significance of every book of the Old Testament.
The Whole Counsel of God by Fr. Stephen De Young. This is a years-long podcast that explores the Scriptures verse by verse, along with a small book that provides an overview of the Bible and its role in the life of an Orthodox Christian.
Prayer
Beginning to Pray and Living Prayer by Met. Anthony Bloom. Among his books that I have read (all of them wonderful, even if one can’t necessarily understand everything) these two have been the most moving and memorable.
The Jesus Prayer by Bishop Kallistos Ware. This little classic book is an overview of the fundamental Orthodox practice of the Jesus Prayer.
Hear Me: A Prayer Book for Orthodox Young Adults. This small and elegantly designed pocket prayer book is not only meaningful for teens and young adults – I find that older adults can be equally moved by it.
Practicing Prayer by Fr. Alexander Goussetis. A small and very practical beginner book on prayer in the Orthodox tradition.
Saints
The Prologue of Ohrid by St. Nikolai Velimorovic. A collection of Saints’ lives for every day of the year, along with comments, reflections, and homilies. It is available as a book and also for free online here.
Church history
Paradise and Utopia by Fr. John Strickland. This comprehensive four-volume series explores the history of Christendom from its birth to today, focusing on the “shift from the Christian society of the early centuries, united in its faithfulness to apostolic tradition, to the contemporary fragmented and secular state of the West”. It is accompanied by a podcast.
Divine Liturgy
Living the liturgy: A practical guide for participating in the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church by Fr. Stanley Harakas. This little old book clearly explains the parts of the Divine Liturgy and offers very good practical advice on how to be a conscious participant with a prayerful attitude. It is out of print, but can be read on Kindle as an ebook.
Help! I’m Bored in Church: Entering Fully into Worship in the Divine Liturgy by Fr. David Smith. Similar to the one above, this small book is full of practical, applicable advice.
Orthodox Pebbles 