Topic: I would like to read a book

[William]

I've read The Orthodox Way and The Orthodox Church thus far. Also a bit of patristics here and there. What should be next on my list?

[Alpo]

Lives of the Saints. Probably just about anything will do but I liked Vitae Patrum by St. Gregory of Tours.

[WPM]

Orthodox Veneration of Mary the Theotokos is book that shows you how to properly view Icon Tradition handed down by the Church.

[Cyrillic]

Apophtegmata Patrum.

[biro]

Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church, by Alfredo Tradigo 

Any lives of the saints

[Gamliel]

At some point you will want to read: The Meaning of Icons / Vladimir Lossky, Leonide Ouspensky.  http://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Icons-Vladimir-Lossky/dp/0913836990/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359920991&sr=1-1&keywords=meaning+of+icons

[dzheremi]

Apophtegmata Patrum.

And Lives of the Desert Fathers. 

[Asteriktos]

Way of the Ascetics, by Tito Colliander

[Peacemaker]

Lives of the Saints are good but you have to remember you are reading about Saints, people who were called to that life. A lot of the time converts will read about Saints and want to be like the Saints. That's not a bad thing, but you wont be able to live in a cave or sleep on rocks and eat only bread. Those Saints were called to that life by God and so God gave them the strength and ability to do those things. If you try that, you'll end up dead or hurting yourself.

Try reading books about people who are in the Church now. For example, Everyday Saints and Other Stories. The people in that book, lived great lives but they were also your everyday people, these books help you relate a little better. Than after that, by all means tackle the lives of Saints, just don't lead yourself into delusion and think you can be like these people without a blessing or calling.

[William]

Are there any Lives of lay saints out there?

[Peacemaker]

Are there any Lives of lay saints out there?

That's a hard one to answer, Saints are pure in the faith and have great understanding and understand in order to be in total communion with God you need to let go of everything. That's why most saints are monastics, they go toward that life because... well because why not. You want to be in 100% communion with God, so what better way of doing that then being a "living martyr"

But...only God knows who the Saints are, I'm sure they are out there, I don't know of any.

[JamesR]

Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Fr. Seraphim Rose, although, be cautious, my Priest tells me that some of the stuff he says is controversial and not unanimously accepted by the Church. Also, pretty much anything by St. John Chrysostom is good and basic. I keep buying his books to read.

[LBK]

At some point you will want to read: The Meaning of Icons / Vladimir Lossky, Leonide Ouspensky.  http://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Icons-Vladimir-Lossky/dp/0913836990/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359920991&sr=1-1&keywords=meaning+of+icons

Seconded. I would add St John of Damascus' In Defense of the Holy Images. Outstanding.

[Peacemaker]

my Priest tells me that some of the stuff he says is controversial and not unanimously accepted by the Church.

And yet Fr. Seraphim Rose of blessed memory will one day be recognized as a Saint. If you don't like the opinion of one priest, confirm it with another priest. Saint Silouan the Athonite tells us to do this. That's why I don't listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko anymore, his views on things drive me nuts and other priests I've talked to affirm it. Don't listen to just one priest, unless they are an Elder and your Spiritual Elder at that.

[Asteriktos]

O⃥r⃥t⃥h⃥o⃥d⃥o⃥x⃥y⃥ ⃥a⃥n⃥d⃥ ⃥t⃥h⃥e⃥ ⃥R⃥e⃥l⃥i⃥g⃥i⃥o⃥n⃥ ⃥o⃥f⃥ ⃥t⃥h⃥e⃥ ⃥F⃥u⃥t⃥u⃥r⃥e⃥ ⃥b⃥y⃥ ⃥F⃥r⃥.⃥ ⃥S⃥e⃥r⃥a⃥p⃥h⃥i⃥m⃥ ⃥R⃥o⃥s⃥e⃥,⃥ ⃥a⃥l⃥t⃥h⃥o⃥u⃥g⃥h⃥,⃥ ⃥b⃥e⃥ ⃥c⃥a⃥u⃥t⃥i⃥o⃥u⃥s⃥,⃥ ⃥m⃥y⃥ ⃥P⃥r⃥i⃥e⃥s⃥t⃥ ⃥t⃥e⃥l⃥l⃥s⃥ ⃥m⃥e⃥ ⃥t⃥h⃥a⃥t⃥ ⃥s⃥o⃥m⃥e⃥ ⃥o⃥f⃥ ⃥t⃥h⃥e⃥ ⃥s⃥t⃥u⃥f⃥f⃥ ⃥h⃥e⃥ ⃥s⃥a⃥y⃥s⃥ ⃥i⃥s⃥ ⃥c⃥o⃥n⃥t⃥r⃥o⃥v⃥e⃥r⃥s⃥i⃥a⃥l⃥ ⃥a⃥n⃥d⃥ ⃥n⃥o⃥t⃥
⃥u⃥n⃥a⃥n⃥i⃥m⃥o⃥u⃥s⃥l⃥y⃥ ⃥a⃥c⃥c⃥e⃥p⃥t⃥e⃥d⃥ ⃥b⃥y⃥ ⃥t⃥h⃥e⃥ ⃥C⃥h⃥u⃥r⃥c⃥h⃥.⃥ ⃥ Also, pretty much anything by St. John Chrysostom is good and basic. I keep buying his books to read.

There, that's better!  

[Shanghaiski]

The Brothers Karamazov

[pmpn8rGPT]

I've read The Orthodox Way and The Orthodox Church thus far. Also a bit of patristics here and there. What should be next on my list?

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend The Epistle of Barnabas, if you're looking for more modern stuff, then there is always the works of Fr. Seraphim Rose.

[Shanghaiski]

Read the Gospels and the Psalms--straight through, to learn and familiarize yourself.

A catechism may be helpful as well.

I recall this being a pretty good catechism: http://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Orthodox-Church-Faith-Life/dp/0937032255. There is also St. Philaret of Moscow's catechism: http://www.pravoslavieto.com/docs/eng/orthodox_catechism_of_philaret.htm

[Symeon77]

I've read The Orthodox Way and The Orthodox Church thus far. Also a bit of patristics here and there. What should be next on my list?

I would echo the suggestions of others to read some lives of the Saints, perhaps more contemporary saints since they may be easier to relate to, they are written in a less conventional style and their lives are typically more detailed... I'm afraid with that one, I can't be much more specific, since it is a case of 'different strokes for different folks.' Saint Silouan the Athonite by Elder Sophrony (Sakharov) of Essex was the first one that I read and it affected me rather profoundly.

There are also some good and pretty thorough synopses of Orthodox spirituality, which are thematically organized and quite easily digestible:

The Roots of Christian of Christian Mysticism by Fr. Olivier Clement:
http://www.amazon.com/Roots-Christian-Mysticism-Patristic-Commentary/dp/1565480295/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

and/ or the two volumes by Tomas Spidlik, Spirituality of the Christian East:
http://www.amazon.com/Spirituality-Christian-East-Systematic-Cistercian/dp/0879079797/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y
&
http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Spirituality-Christian-East-Vol-2/dp/0879077069/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

It's important to understand the liturgy; the reasons behind its prayers, symbols and structure.
The commentary by Heiromonk Gregorios is very thorough:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Divine-Liturgy-Commentary-Fathers/dp/0981731767/ref=pd_sim_b_27

Also here, with reviews and description:
http://deniseharveypublisher.gr/books/the-divine-liturgy

If you can afford it, I would order the hardcover edition, linked directly above, as it is a book to keep and treasure. Ordering directly from the publisher is best. Denise ships very promptly from Greece.

[choy]

For the Life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann.

[recent convert]

The Saving Work of Christ by St. Gregory Palamas. see:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Saving-Work-Christ-Sermons/dp/0977498352

This is a collection of homilies on Nativity, Transfirguration, Pascha, Redemption etc. in less than 130 pp. It is an excellent balance of profound, but understandable, theology from one of the major saints of the church.

[stavros_388]

I've read The Orthodox Way and The Orthodox Church thus far. Also a bit of patristics here and there. What should be next on my list?

Has The Way of a Pilgrim been mentioned yet?
It is a must read, imo.

I'd also suggest something more practical, like The Art of Prayer, by Igumen Chariton.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

I've read The Orthodox Way and The Orthodox Church thus far. Also a bit of patristics here and there. What should be next on my list?

Has The Way of a Pilgrim been mentioned yet?
It is a must read, imo.

I'd also suggest something more practical, like The Art of Prayer, by Igumen Chariton.

I agree with The Way of a Pilgrim recommendation. There is a beautiful simplicity to it, which is really what Orthodox theology is: beautiful simplicity.


Selam

[Andrew21091]

Way of the Ascetics, by Tito Colliander

I'm going to second this. This has become one of my favorite books. Its a small book, but its very deep and very practical. I think every Orthodox person should read it, especially those new to the Faith. The Abbot of the Hermitage of Holy Cross in WV had me read it while I was at the monastery. He said it is important to start off with the basics of Christian life. I would recommend getting it and reading it a few times.

[Shanghaiski]

The Father Arseny books are awesome.