Here are a number of books (in no particular order) beneficial to others received into the Church as adults.

The Orthodox Church

by the Very Rev. Timothy (Kallistos) Ware

orthodoxchurchA clear, detailed introduction to the Orthodox Church, written for the non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians who wish to know more about their history. Since its first publication thirty years ago, Timothy Ware’s book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. He explains the Orthodox views on such widely ranging matters as ecumenical councils, sacraments, free will, purgatory, the papacy and the relation between the different Orthodox churches.

Introducing The Orthodox Church, Its Faith and Life

by Anthony Coniaris

The Orthodox Church - Its Faith and Life

Here is a genuinely different and practical book for the inquirer and potential convert to Orthodox Christianity. It is different in a number of ways, all of which commend this volume to wide use by pastors whose task it is to introduce the members of their inquirers classes to an Orthodox way of life which will touch their lives in a full and complete way (Fr. Stanley Harakas). Chapters include: What We Believe About the One Apostolic Church, the Nicene Creed, Jesus, the Holy Trinity, the Divine Liturgy, Salvation, the Church Fathers, the Church Year, Symbols, the Sacraments, the Saints and the Theotokos, Life After Death, the Bible, Icons, Prayers for the Dead, and Prayer. Recently translated in Korean and Romanian.

Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith

by Peter E. Gillquist

becomingorthodoxAfter a long and difficult journey, 2000 weary evangelical Protestants finally found their way home. This is the story of a handful of courageous men and their congregations who risked stable occupations, security, and the approval of lifelong friends to be obedient to God’s call.

It is also the story of every believer who is searching for the Church. Where Christ is Lord. Where holiness, human responsibility, and the Sovereignty of God are preached. Where fellowship is more than a covered-dish supper in the church basement. And where fads and fashion take a back seat to apostolic worship and doctrine.

This revised edition includes a new epilogue, “Coming up on Twenty-Five Years” since the entry of the Evangelical Orthodox into the Holy Orthodox Church.

Wounded by Love

The Life and Wisdom of Saint Porphyrios

by Saint Porphyrios. Translated by John Raffan

Saint Porphyrios, a Greek monk and priest who died in 1991, stands in the long tradition of charismatic spiritual guides in the Eastern Church which continues from the apostolic age down to figures such as Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Staretz Silouan in modern times. In this book he tells the story of his life and, in simple, deeply reflected and profoundly wise words, he expounds the Christian faith for today.

The vibrant personality of Saint Porphyrios at all times shines through his words with great transparency and charm. In his introduction to the Greek edition Bishop Irenaeus of Chania writes: ‘The words of blessed Elder Porphyrios are the words of a holy Father, of a man with the gift of clear sight, who was ever retiring, humble, simple and ardent and whose life was a true and authentic witness to Christ, to His truth and to His joy. Through his presence, love, prayer, counsel and guidance he supported an untold number of people in the difficult hours of illness, mourning, pain, loss of faith and death. He is a god-bearing Father of our days, a true priest and teacher who in his ascetic way fell in love with Christ and faithfully served his fellow man.’

This book was compiled after Saint Porphyrios’s death from an archive of notes and recordings of his reminiscences, conversations and words of guidance, and was first published in Greek in 2003. Since its publication in English in 2005 it has been reprinted seven times, most recently in 2015.

Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints,
Vols. I-VIII [September thru May]

by Saint Demetrius of Rostov

This offering of the famous Russian collection of Lives of the Saints by Saint Demetrius of Rostov (1651-1709) marks the first time any of these national collections have been published in their entirety in the English language.

“The lives and writings of the saints are of great spiritual value for us all -we can relate to them, as the saints were people just like ourselves. And just like ourselves, it is possible that some of them might have lived lives filled with the most grievous sins. However, through prayer, fasting, and with repentance, they have attained the Glorious Kingdom of Heaven. All who come into the Kingdom of Heaven, do so through that gift of repentance which the Ever-Merciful Lord has granted us by His sufferings. Let us listen to what St. Silouan of Holy Mount Athos wrote: “The saints in heaven through the Holy Spirit behold the glory of God and the beauty of the Lord’s Countenance.” Now we can say that as loving Christians we should always strive to be like the saints, following their lives and learning from their examples.

In reading the lives of the saints of the Orthodox Church, and in coming to a deeper understanding of the examples they have set, we receive deep and beneficial spiritual nourishment. Our eyes are opened as we compare their lives with our own. The result is that we have a God-given desire to make changes in our lives, which may include a new commitment to renewal on the path towards our own salvation. What really happens to us after reading and getting to know more about the saints of the Church is that we begin to plant within our soul the same virtues that the saints themselves achieved. Let us with humility listen to what St. Ephriam the Syrian wrote: “Blessed is he who plants in his soul good plants, that is, the virtues and the lives of the saints.

Listen to what Agapios Landros of Holy Mt. Athos wrote on this same subject: “A person is touched more profoundly and benefits more by reading one beautiful life of a saint than by discourses and philosophies.”

-Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes

Orthodox Life

Trustworthy Sayings

  • To look upon an icon is as simple as this: Set your eyes upon them. Pay no attention to those who would add to this.

  • "God is my glory, my wealth, and I boast in Him. God is the sweetest and dearest of all things to me. God is my meditation and my delight. My soul is a creation of the breath of God. My body was fashioned by Him. In my entirety, I am an image of God. By divine grace I am begotten of God. By God I exist and move, breathe and speak. Daily I commend my spirit unto God, and at all times unto Him I address my prayers. For God alone I live, work, and exist. To God who is great, mighty, living, the Cause of all that is good and beautiful - their Sustainer and Perfecter - I give thanks. It is before God who watches over everything that I think, speak, act and thrive."

    St. Nektarios, from his book, "Know Thyself"

  • No one is saved alone. He who is saved is saved in the Church, as a member of her, and in union with all her other members. If anyone believes, he is in the communion of faith. If he loves, he is in the communion of love. If he prays, he is in the communion of prayer.

    Alexsei Khomiakov

  • I beg and implore you to go to the (Orthodox) Church. It is in all the power and glory of God! Like a ship with many masts, sails and a great helm. It is steered by the Holy Spirit. Its good helmsman are the doctors of the Church. The archpastors are the successors of the Apostles. But your chapel is like a small rowing-boat without rudder and oars; it is secured to the ship of our Church, and floats behind it. The waves wash over it, and it would have certainly gone down if it had not been secured to the ship.

    St Seraphim of Sarov

  • Many contemporary Orthodox writings instruct the reader how to get there. The writings of Saints, however, take you there.

  • The man who endures accusations against himself with humility has arrived at perfection. He is marvelled at by the holy angels, for there is no other virtue so great and so hard to achieve.

    St Isaac the Syrian

  • Let us become divine for His sake, since for us He became man. He assumed the worse, that He might give us the better. He became poor, that by His poverty we might become rich. He accepted the form of a servant, that we might win back our freedom, He came down that we might be lifted up. He was tempted, that through Him we might conquer. He was dishonored, that He might glorify us. He died, that He might save us. He ascended, that He might draw to Himself us, who lie prostrate, having fallen into sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him who gave Himself; A ransom and reconciliation for us.

    St. Gregory the Theologian

  • God made this wondrous and altogether harmonious creation for no one else but for you. So beautiful and so vast, diverse, sumptuous, sufficient, useful, and in every way profitable, being sustenance and support for the body, wisdom for the soul, and a suitable path to the knowledge of God – He made it for you.

    –St John Chrysostom, On the Providence of God

  • When the accusing conscience arises within us from an act of sin, and its realization, along with a "bruised ego" begins to grip the soul – remain calm, and of good courage. At the same time, yield oneself to the matter and accept the portion of responsibility as it seems true, bearing a little shame. Then immediately its sting and storm and clanging brass will quickly dissipate.

  • Many who disdained icons through the heresy of iconoclasm themselves fell away from Christ Himself. For that which is done to the image passes on to him who is depicted.

  • "Let the sinner not despair… When we turn away from sin and are filled with ardent love for God, He forgets the former state. God is not like people. He does not punish for our previous actions. And if we have repented, He does not ask why we squandered so much time. He loves us and does not reject us when we return to Him. It is enough only to return in the proper manner."

    St John Chrysostom

  • The principal Tradition of the Orthodox Church is the living Christ – fully God, fully Man – entire in the Body of the Church of which He is the immortal, eternal Head. This is not merely the message, but the transcendent message of the holy apostles and the holy fathers. They know Christ crucified, Christ resurrected, Christ ascended. They all, by their integral lives and teachings, with a single soul and a single voice, confess that Christ is wholly in His Church, as in His Body.

    – St Justin Popovich

  • Many saw with their eyes through the icons things which God had performed and were changed heavenward. Such is the necessity of our beloved icons.

  • “Wherefore, brethren, let us plant ourselves upon the rock of faith and the Tradition of the Church, removing not the landmarks set by our holy fathers, nor giving room to those who are anxious to introduce novelties, and innovations, undermining the structure of God’s holy ecumenical and apostolic Church.”

    St John of Damascus

  • Christian! Remember and constantly bear in mind and in your heart the great words of the Lord's Prayer: 'Our Father, Who art in the Heavens.' Remember Who our Father is. God is our Father, our Love: who are we? We are His children, and among ourselves, brothers; in what manner of love ought children to live among themselves, having such a Father? Our life is that of love - yes, love. And where there is love, there is God, and where there is God, there is all-good.

    St John of Kronstadt

  • If God is slow in answering your request, or if you ask but do not promptly receive anything, do not be upset, for you are not wiser than God.

    St Isaac the Syrian (7th/8th cent.)

  • If you do not experience in yourself the influence of the evil spirit, you will not know and you will not value as you should the goodness shown to you by the benevolence of the Holy Spirit; not having known the spirit that destroys, you also will not know the Life-Giving Spirit. Only because of the opposites of good and evil, of life and death, can we understand the one and the other... Glory to God, the Wise and All-Good that He permits the spirit of evil and death to tempt us and cause us suffering. Otherwise, how could we begin to value the consolation of grace, the consolation of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Life-Giver!

    St John of Kronstadt

  • When mind and heart are united in prayer and the soul is wholly concentrated in a single desire for God, then the heart grows warm and the light of Christ begins to shine and fills the inward man with peace and joy. We should thank the Lord for everything and give ourselves up to His will; we should also offer Him all our thoughts and words, and strive to make everything serve only His good pleasure.

    St Seraphim of Sarov

  • Rarely is emphasis devoted to holding Scripture above the Church, as the witness of Scripture is this: to know and to love God - our Creator; to love our fellow man; and to be fully the Church.

  • God is closer to us than any person, at all times; closer than my clothing, closer than air, closer than my wife, father, mother, daughter, son, or friend. As in an ocean, every drop of water is connected with other drops of water and surrounded by them, or as in the air, every part is surrounded by others and united by them, so likewise we earthly inhabitants are surrounded by God from all sides, and the pure in heart among us or those who are being cleansed are united with Him, and are everywhere with Him.

    St John of Kronstadt

  • Yesterday I was crucified with Christ; Today I am glorified with Him. Yesterday I died with Him, today I am made alive with Him. Yesterday I was buried with Him, today I am raised with Him. Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us.

    Pashcal hymn

  • The lives and praises of the saints are like the stars in brilliance. Because of their number, we do not know the names of all the saints; still, they amaze us by their radiant majesty, as do the stars, which while fixed in their position in the heavens, illumine all that is below, being seen by the Indians, yet not concealed from the Scythians, shining upon the land and guiding by their light those at sea. Similarly, the radiance of the saints, though their relics be entombed in sepulchers, is not bounded by the ends of this earth here below. Therefore, we marvel at their lives and are amazed at how God has glorified them that please Him.

    St Symeon Metaphrastes

  • The best time for reading the Word of God is in the morning. Lives of Saints after the mid-day meal, and Holy Fathers before going to sleep. Thus you can take up a little bit each day. During such occupations, you should continually keep in mind the main goal -- impressing the truth on yourself and awakening the spirit.

    St. Theophan the Recluse

  • As there is one God and one Lord, so also true dignity is expressed by oneness in the image of the One Principle. And so, the one Church, which heresies make an effort to cut into many, is likened by oneness unto the nature of the One. We call the ancient Catholic Church one according to her essence, according to our concept of her, according to her origin and preeminence.

    Clement of Alexandria

  • On The Cross. Truly this symbol is thought despicable; but it is so in the world's reckoning, and among men; in Heaven and among the faithful it is the highest glory. Poverty too is despicable, but it is our boast; and to be cheaply thought of by the public is a matter of laughter to them, but we are elated by it. So too is the Cross our boast. And what is the boast of the Cross? That Christ for my sake took on Him the form of a slave, and bore His sufferings for me the slave, the enemy, the unfeeling one; yea, He so loved me as to give Himself up to a curse for me. What can be comparable to this?

    St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians

  • For we are taught through this example [of Peter's denial of Jesus] not to slacken in God's service by inconsiderately dwelling on our own infirmities. We are, rather, to trust in him who is able to make all of us strong, and we are to boast in God's miraculous works and favor shown to us who were beyond hope.

    St Cyril of Alexandria (375-444)

  • "The God-man, the Lord Christ is one, unique, and indivisible. So also is the Church unique and indivisible, for she is the incarnation of the Theanthropos Christ, continuing through the ages and through all eternity. Being such by her nature and in her earthly history, the Church may not be divided.”

    St Justin Popovich

  • The Lord has complete consideration for nature created by Him, and for its laws, which are the product of His infinite, most perfect wisdom; and therefore He usually realizes His will through the means of nature and her laws, as, for example, when He punishes people, or blesses them.

    Each Christian, especially a priest, should follow in example the goodness of the Lord, that everyone should be invited to partake of the Lord's food at your table. The miser is an enemy of the Lord.

    St John of Kronstadt

  • The more a person descends into humility, the more progress he makes and the more he succeeds.

    St. Ignaty Brianchaninov

  • God did not, on account of His foreknowledge of the evil that would result from man’s creation, leave man uncreated; for it was better to bring back sinners to original grace by the way of repentance and physical suffering than not to create man at all. The raising up of the fallen was a work befitting the Giver of life, Who is the wisdom and power of God; and for this purpose He became man.

    St Gregory of Nyssa

  • Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him and do not fret, for within man's anger hides foolishness.

  • "Love for that which is earthly makes the soul empty, and then there she is sad, and grows wild, and does not want to pray to God. The enemy then, seeing that the soul is not in God, shakes her and freely places in the mind whatever he wants, and he drives the soul from one thought to another, and thus the whole day the soul remains in such disorder and cannot purely gaze at the Lord."

    St. Silouan the Athonite

  • ...one who is concerned for his salvation should by no means ask questions in order to obtain knowledge only, for knowledge puffeth up (I Cor. 8:1), as the Apostle says. But to ask concerning the passions, and concerning how one should pass his life, that is, how to be saved, is most fitting; for this is necessary and leads one to humility. And humility is a shortened path to salvation, for it has been said: I was humbled and the Lord saved me (Ps. 114:6).

    Sts Barsanuphius and John (6th Century)

  • Endowed with "the image", man has the full blessing of God to acquire "the likeness", to attain deification. The Creator, God by nature causes men to become god by Grace. God, endowed man with the gifts, "according to his image", so he may ascend very high, so he may acquire with them a likeness to his God and Maker: to have, not an external, moral relationship with him, but a personal union with his Creator.

    Archimandrite George, Abbot of the Monastery of St Gregorios of the Holy Mountain

  • Repentance in the modern mind is distorted into just one more model of progressive change. True repentance is not found in being what we are not, but in confessing and confronting what and who we truly are. It is with this understanding that I have challenged the notion of “moral progress.” That concept, when practiced by the modern mind, is delusional. It is not that there is no change (we are surely promised transformation in Christ), but that the change which occurs is something other than the progressive notions of the modern world. We do not get “better and better.” More accurately, we may become more honest, more truly ourselves, more willing to acknowledge the truth of our lives, more willing to bear our weakness and infirmities. We bear a little shame.

    St Sophrony of Essex