Orthodox Alaska: A Theology of Mission by Michael J. Oleksa

Bible, Church, Tradition: An Eastern Orthodox View (Volume One in the Collected Works of Georges Florovsky)

Bible, Church, Tradition: An Eastern Orthodox View- Volume One In the collected works of Fr. Georges Florovsky is an excellent introduction to Orthodox biblical exegesis and ecclesiology. It should be read by Protestants, many of whom are unfamiliar with Orthodox views on Scripture, as well as Roman Catholics for an alternative view to their own tradition, as well as Orthodox themselves who are looking for a short, academic but intelligible introduction to this topic. Fr. Florovsky is considered by some to be one of the most outstanding and profound theologians of twentieth-century Orthodoxy. The first section of the book deals with the Church's proclamation of God's revelation to man, the Gospel, in the Holy Scriptures, and the "catholic" nature of the Church itself. The Church is labeled "catholic" because it possesses within itself a distinct universality and applies to all mankind. The Scripture needs to be proclaimed as God's Word revealed to man through the ages: first to the ancient Hebrew tribes in the form of the Old Testament and to the entire world through the New. The Bible should not be treated as a "history" book as such, nor is it a manual on the natural sciences, as many "fundamentalists" of various sects today uphold.

How to Live a Holy Life - Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov)

This pocket-sized book, originally published in Russian in 1904, is a short but comprehensive work offering guidance to the Christian on how to conduct himself through the course of the day. The author describes how to conduct oneself in the morning, in relation to God, in common situations of life, in daily work, during meals, during the afternoon rest, in the evening, before sleep, and during sleeplessness. He concludes with a consideration of prayer and guidance and on how to spend Sundays.

The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy - St. Dionysius the Areopagite

In The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, the 5th-century Christian theologian Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite outlines the visible Church as a sacred, vertically ordered system. Its purpose is to guide believers upward through material symbols and sacraments, facilitating their assimilation and union with God (known as theosis or deification)

Hymns on Paradise: St. Ephrem the Syrian

In Hymns on Paradise: St. Ephrem the Syrian offers a deeply poetic and theological reflection on the story of Genesis 2 and 3, weaving rich imagery to reveal the profound connection between the material and spiritual worlds. Through 15 hymns, Ephrem invites readers to see creation as a sacramental witness to its Creator, where nature and Scripture work together to reveal God’s truth. With a Biblical and symbolic approach, Ephrem explores themes such as the unity of the Old and New Testaments, the sacraments as glimpses of heavenly realities, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan. His timeless use of vivid imagery transcends cultural and philosophical barriers, making his insights fresh and accessible even today. Hymns on Paradise: St. Ephrem the Syrian will inspire readers to see God’s hand in creation, deepen their understanding of Scripture, and reflect on the eternal mysteries of faith.

The Sunflower Conforming the Will of Man to the Will of God By John of Tobolsk

This is a thoroughly practical manual of the spiritual life that focuses on the central goal of every Christian: discerning the will of God and struggling to mold our life to it, just as Christ “humbled Himself and became obedient” (Philippians 2:8). Saint John addresses fundamental questions: Why should we care about God’s will? What are the benefits in following His will? How do we avoid common obstacles to living in accordance with His will? The reader will find practical and eternal wisdom running through these writings that discuss the perennial questions of why a good God permits evil. This is the first English edition of St John’s text, edited and abbreviated for the contemporary reader. St John Maximovitch (1651-1715) was Metropolitan of Tobolsk and all Siberia. He served as a missionary in Siberia and was known for his unpretentiousness and his generosity to the poor. His veneration among the people grew after his repose and he was glorified by the Russian Church in 1916, becoming the last canonized saint of the pre-revolutionary period. He is best known today as the namesake and ancestor of the great 20th-century saint of the Russian diaspora, St John of Shanghai and San Francisco.