 | The Orthodox Study Bible: New Testament and Psalms
Buy used from: $4.98 Of course, begin with reading the New Testament if you want to understand the Orthodox Church. This Orthodox Study Bible is fairly good as far as the commentary goes, and it includes a great article by His Grace Bishop Kallistos about how to read the Bible. The commentary is not all that in depth, but it is still helpful and worthwhile.
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 | The Orthodox New Testament (The Holy Gospels) by Dormition Skete Icons
Buy new: $43.06 / Used from: $39.99 A superb translation straight from the Greek... Probably the best in English, though widely unknown. Icons throughout, and a GREAT DEAL of Patristic commentary. Find both volumes (one for Gospels and a second for Acts through Revelation); this is the best English Bible out there.
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 | The Orthodox Church: New Edition by Timothy Ware
Buy new: $11.05 / Used from: $7.33 Next, go to history: The most widely-read overview of the history and basic teachings of the Church. Not perfect, but definitely worthwhile. Find "A Traditionalist Critique of 'The Orthodox Church'" by Hieromonk Patapios online as a compliment.
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 | Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions: The Church, 450-680 Ad (Church History ; 2) (v. 2) by John Meyendorff
Buy used from: $17.00 Continuing history: John Meyendorff's history which looks at a vital period in the development of the Church and begins to look at the origins of the falling-away of the West.
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 | The Way of a Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way by Anonymous
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $3.79 Now, onto Orthodox Spirituality: The classic of classics. Read this book over and over again, and buy multiple copies to distribute. A great introduction to the Jesus Prayer.
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 | Orthodox Spirituality, a Brief Introduction by Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Ierotheos
Buy used from: $17.00 More of Orthodox spirituality: The best general introduction to Orthodox spirituality available by my favorite Orthodox author.
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 | The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky
Buy new: $17.10 / Used from: $14.00 Orthodox spirituality and theology: What is Orthodoxy theology's relation to mysticism? The two are inseparable if theology is to be done correctly, as this incredibly valuable book shows.
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 | The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality by Kyriacos C. Markides
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $5.12 Now, how Orthodox spirituality affects the mindset of the Church and an introduction to modern Orthodox saints: In one of the best books I've ever read, Kyriacos Markides - from a skeptical standpoint - explains the basics of Orthodox spirituality in conversations with an Orthodox monk while also showing what true, holy spirituality looks like in various stories of the saints.
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 | Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father
Buy new: $17.10 / Used from: $8.85 Orthodox saint: One of the most moving lives of a saint I have ever read. Invaluable and worth being read many times.
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 | Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit
Buy used from: $24.95 8 Orthodox saints: Introduce yourself to 8 modern-day Greek saints and their teachings. See how apostolic figures live even today.
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 | Shepherd of Souls by Archimandrite Ioanichie Balan
Buy used from: $8.00 Another saint: Elder Cleopa of Sihastria in Romania. This very well-written and engaging life of a modern-day saint (and one of the most popular elders of the 20th century) is beautiful, and you will end up loving Elder Cleopa as if you knew him when finished.
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 | Blessed John the Wonderworker: A Preliminary Account of the Life and Miracles of Archbishop John Maximovitch by Fr. Seraphim Rose
Buy new: $19.00 / Used from: $8.00 An Orthodox saint in America: How this saint is not better known to the non-Orthodox world is beyond me. Saint John Maximovitch was an ascetic, a wonderworker, and one of the greatest minds in the Church of the 20th century. Holy Saint John of San Francisco, pray for us!
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 | Saint Silouan, the Athonite by Archimandrite Sophrony
Buy used from: $67.77 One more saint: Read about yet another 20th century Orthodox saint. This book is well written by St. Silouan's disciple (and someone who will likely be formally acknowledged as a saint himself). This is a modern-day classic!
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