Books M-P

 Compiled by Monica Williams and Stelios Jackson with special thanks to Alan Teague.

Alphabetically listed (under title), below are some of the 900 or so titles that we stock on Orthodox Christianity. You may search out theological titles by clicking on this button: Alternatively, feel free to browse these lists:

THUNMBERG Lars: MAN AND THE COSMOS. The Vision of St. Maximus The Confessor ; ORTH. An introduction to the life and work of Maximus the Confessor (ca 580-662) focusing on his thought concerning the cosmos, the nature of man and his relationship with God, Christology, the liturgical and sacramental dimension, history and eschatology. paper. 184 pp.   

MANUAL OF Eastern ORTHODOX PRAYERS ; ORTH.Morning and evening prayers, communion prayers, selected troparia and prayers for various occasions. paper. pp. 113  

ABBOTT-SMITH G. : MANUAL GREEK LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ; ORTH. The manual Greek Lexicon provides, for each New Testament word, its derivation, the Hebrew it represents if it is also found in the Septuagint, its original and derived meanings with illustrations and references from biblical , Classical and Modern Greek, the general sense in which it is used in the papyri, its grammatical constructions, and references to other works in which it is discussed. There are also appendices of the irregular verbs of the Greek New Testament, and an alphabetical list of verbal forms. paper 521 pages including appendices 

MEYENDORFF John: MARRIAGE. AN ORTHODOX PERSPECTIVE. ; ORTH. Fr. Meyendorff illustrates the Orthodox Appreciation of marriage as "sacrament" as participation here and now in the Kingdom yet to come, not just another institution of this world. He stresses that marriage is a mystery. an earthly and eternal bond presupposing that man is a citizen of God's Kingdom, that his entire life involves eternal values and God Himself; Includes Text of marriage service. 144 pp. paper.  

OUSPENSKY Leonid and LOSSKY Vladimir:  MEANING OF ICONS ; ORTH.The classic work on the techniques, language and interpretation of icons in the context of theology and faith.Wide use of scripture, liturgical texts and patristic sources illumine the commentary and analysis of the main types of icons. Lavishly illustrated, with 160 pages of text with drawings, 13 black-and-white and 51 colour plates.In the nearly 40 years since the publication of the first German edition of this book,it has lost virtually none of its value for researchers, collectors, and in general anyone interested in iconography. Paper. 244pp.   

CRONK George:  MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE. AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ; ORTH. A commentary on the major sections of the Bible. Includes guides for the selection and use of English translations and a bibliography of study aids. "for those who; are already familiar with the content of the Bible but who would not wish as yet to make use of detailed commentaries on individual books. paper. 293 pp.       

ALLEN Joseph:  MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH. The image of pastoral care ; ORTH. A three-part study of the functions of ministry from an Orthodox perspective. "a dialogue between the Orthodox tradition and present-day practice of pastoral care. paper. 232 pp.  

ARCHBISHOP DMITRI:    MIRACLES OF CHRIST ; ORTH.presented in three parts; 1. St. Matthew's and St. Luke's Gospel. 2. the signs of the Gospel of St. John. 3. the miracles recorded in St. Mark's gospel. They are studied within the framework of the church's lectionary, that is, in the order in which they are read aloud in Church. paper. 144 pp  

BOBRINSKOY Boris and GYTHIEL Anthony. trans.: MYSTERY OF THE TRINITY ; ORTH. Trinitarian Experience and Vision in the Biblical and Patristic Traditions. The thought of the Eastern Fathers on the Trinity from the time of the Apostles to the end of the Byzantine era. 360 pp. paper.  

JAY Eric J.: NEW TESTAMENT GREEK. An introductory Grammar ; ORTH. This introductory course in New Testament Greek assumes no knowledge either of the language or of technical terms, and carries the student up to and beyond the standard required for ordination examination. The arrangements of the book reflects Dr. Jay's practical experience as a university teacher. Examples are quoted mainly from St. Mark, since beginners are often given the Gospel as their first New Testament reading, Declensions, paradigms, and points of syntax are set out in a comprehensive and helpful form. paperback. pp. 345.   Currently unavailable

TARZI Paul Nardi:    NEW TESTAMENT; INTRODUCTION. VOL. 1 . PAUL AND MARK ; ORTH. This is the first of a four volume New Testament Introduction series. A perceptive exegesis of St. Paul's epistles. But we also find the unexpected; a completely new thesis about the original purpose of Mark's gospel. paper. 260 index.

HUDSON D.F.     NEW TESTAMENT GREEK. TEACH YOURSELF. A complete course. ; ORTH.a Practical and lively introduction to Koine, the Greek language of the First Century AD, in which the New Testament was written. The book is divided into a series of graded lessons and exercises in which the student is progressively introduced to the grammar, vocabulary and sentence structures of the language. It is designed both for the ordinary reader  the theology student as an invaluable aid to a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. "For the student who wants to get up New Testament Greek this is admirable as a beginning." paperback. pp. 178  

TANZI Paul Nadim.:    OLD TESTAMENT ;INTRODUCTION. VOL 1.  HISTORICAL TRADITIONS. ; ORTH. The development of the historical traditions that arose within ancient Israel and how these traditions eventually became the books of the Old Testament.Examines the historical evidence and the theological perspectives of these books, so that an informed reading of the Old Testament will illumine the new. 173 pp. index.paper.  

TARAZI Paul Nadim..     OLD TESTAMENT. INTRODUCTION. VOL. 2 PROPHETIC TRADITIONS ; ORTH. Tarazi's distinctive treatment of the prophetic books allows him to answer key questions. first examining in detail Amos as a prototype of all the prophets and then focusing solely on the the unique message and characteristics of each. paper. 240 pp. index.  

SCHEMEMANN Alexander.: OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT. A liturgical Study of Baptism ; ORTH.In this study of the Orthodox understandilng of Christian initiation, the rites of baptism and Chrismation. Fr. Scxhememann invites us to "rediscover" Baptism. He penetrates the Church's rubrics and rituals-often dismissed as out of date or merely quaint- to reveal their inner content. a message of man's entrance into new life, into the Church and into the Kingdom. The result is a powerful statement of the meaning baptism should hold in our lives. paper. pp. 170 

SIR ISAAC OF NIVEVEH Trans. and introduction by Mary Hansbury.: ON AESCETICAL LIFE ; ORTH St.Isaac's monastic anthrolplology had a major influence on all of Byzantine spiritual literature. The way towards God, in his writing, is threefold . the way of the body, the way of the soul and the way of the spirit. The final stage is an attitude of wonder and praise in continual prayer to God, leading to the freedom of immoral life after the resurrection. A clear, cogent and practical picture of (St. Isaac's)teachings. paper 116 pp.   

ST. JOHN CHRSOSTOM St. JOHN. translated by Catherine Roth and David Anderson: ON MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE. ; ORTH. inspired by the apostles of St. Paul. St. John has many things to say to Christian couple and families. "Marriage as 'honoured among all people' is both challenged and redeemed in this slim but beautifully translated and fascinating volume "paper. 114 pp

ST. IRENAEUS OF LYONS. introduction and translation by john Behr.: ON THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING ; ORTH. St. Irenaeus the most important theologian of the second century, laying the foundation for all future Christian thinkers. Here Iranaeus recounts all the various deeds of God culminating in the exaltation of His crucified Son, Jesus Christ, and the bestowal of His Holy Spirit and the gift of a new heart of flesh. paper. 120 pp.   

ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS: ON THE DIVINE IMAGES ; ORTH. St. John of Damascus wrote these three treatises Against Those Who Attack the Divine Images in response to the iconoclastic heresy of the eighth century, which violently rejected the veneration of images. He accomplishes the important task of reminding the Church that the use of images is a necessary safeguard of the central doctrine of the Christian faith the Incarnation. In Jesus Christ, God became Man. He Who is immaterial became material and can therefore be depicted. St. John's message remains pertinent today, for there are still those who regard images with suspicion or else take refuge in various pseudo-spiritualities that deny any value or significance to the material. This new translation into modern English makes these important treatises available for the first time to scholar and layman alike. paper. pp106.

ST. THEODORE THE STUDITE translation and introduction by Catharine Roth: ON THE HOLY ICONS ; ORTH. Written in the midst of the iconoclastic controversy of the 8th-9th centuries, these essays affirm the Incarnation, focusing on the relation between the image and proto-type. A convenient and inexpensive version of a patristic text of seminal importance in the history of Byzantine theology.paper pp.  

ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS. trans. and introduction by David Anderson: ON THE DIVINE IMAGES. ; ORTH. St. John of Damascus wrote the treatises Against Those Who Attack the Divine Images in response to the iconoclastic heresy of the eighth century. He reminds us that the use of images is a necessary safeguard of the doctrine of the Incarnation.paper. 106 pp.

ST. GERMANUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE. Trans. and introduction by Paul MEYENDORFF:  ON THE DIVINE LITURGY ; ORTH For centuries the Historia Ecclesiastic of St. Germanus (725-730) was the quasi-official explanation of the Divine Liturgy for the Byzantine Christian world. A detailed introduction includes an exposition of mystalogical catcheses and the development of an histrosising system of liturgical symbolism. paper. 107 pp.   

DALEY Brian E. trans.: ON THE DORMITION OF MARY. EARLY PATRISTIC HOMILIES ; ORTH. The earliest attempts to interpret Mary's Dormition, of "falling asleep" in the LORD, In the light of the whole paschal mystery. Some of the authors- John of Damascus, Andrew of Crete, Germanus of Constantinople- are well known, others less so. Most of these works have never been translated into English, some are not available in any modern language. A new glimpse into the Theotokos' central importance to the Christian faith. 262 pp. index. paper. 

ATHANASIUS St. Introduction by C.S. Lewis: ON THE INCARNATION ; ORTH A universally acknowledged masterpiece of fourth-century patristic theology. As C. S. Lewis observes in his introduction "When I first opened De Incarnatione I soon discovered by a very simple test that I was reading a masterpiece, for only a master mind could have written so deeply on such a subject with such classical simplicity. paper. 120 pp.   £

ST. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN: ON THE MYSTICAL LIFE. THE ETHICAL DISCOURSES. VOL 1. THE CHURCH AND THE LAST THINGS. ; ORTH.St. Symeon was one of the most remarkable advocates of the mystical experience. Addressing such themes as predestination, the knowledge of the saints in the world to come, the day of judgement as "the day of the Lord" and the experience of the sacraments. Symeon's theology is a summation of a life-long study of the Scriptures and father, of an immersion in he liturgical life of the Church and lived experience. paper. 193 pp index.   

ST. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN. Translated by Alander Golizin. ON THE MYSTICAL LIFE. THE ETHICAL DISCOURSES. VOL. 2. ON VIRTUE AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
ORSTHThe discourses translatd in volume 2 address aphaheia or "dispassion" the ancient term for freedom from sinful passion, the tools of asceticism-fasting, vigils, popverty etc. - the character and signs of the saint, faith and love, and ascetic retreat. 178 pp. index. Bookseller 

ST. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN. Trans. by GOLITZIN Alexander.,: ON THE MYSTICAL LIFE. THE ETHICAL DISCOURSES. VOL. 3. LIFE, TIMES AND THEOLOGY ; ORTH. Symeon's life and times, along with an extensive discussion of his thought, particularly against its background in the aescetical, mystical and theological literature of the Christian East prior to the tenth century. 220 pp index.   

WESCHE Kenneth Paul. Translated and introduction by: ON THE PERSON OF CHRIST. THE CHRISTOLOGY OF EMPEROR JUSTINIAN AGAINST THE MONPHYSITES; CONCERNING THE THREE CHAPTERS; ON THE TRUE FAITH. ; ORTH. These documents articulate the interpretation of Chalcedon's christological definition, and the Orthodox doctrine on the Person of Christ."The scholarly apparatus that accompanies the texts, the notes and historical contexts that introduce them,are fist class, precise, illuminating and concise. paper. 204 pp. index.   

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM. : ON THE PRIESTHOOD ; ORTH. Translated and introduction by Graham NEVILLE. The stylistic brilliance of this work demonstrates the appropriateness of St.John's title!the golden-mouthed" and his gift for linking concrete observation and theological vision. paper.160 pp.  

ST. GREGORY OF NYSSA. Trans. and intro. by Catharine Roth: ON THE SOUL AND THE RESURRECTION ; ORTH What happens to us after death? How do we reconcile religious beliefs and our scientific worldview? St. Gregory dramatises the question in the form of a dialogue in which his sister St. Macrina plays he role of teacher. One of Gregory's most important works and it is very good to have it available in an up-to-date translation, with helpful notes and in an inexpensive edition. paper.. 126. pp.   

ST. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: ON THE UNITY OF CHRIST. ; ORTH.Translated and with an introduction by John Anthony McGuckin.In the early fifth century the Christian world was racked by one of the most fierce theological disputes it has know since the Arian crisis of the previous century. The centre of the debate turned on the nature of the personhood of Christ, and how divine and human characteristics could combine in Jesus without rendering his subjectivity hopelessly divided, or without reducing his authentic humanness to an insubstantiality. These arguments soon polarised in the conflict between two great churches. Alexandria and Constantinople and their powerful Archbishops St. Cyril (d.444) and Nestorius (d.c.452) respectively. Cyril is arguably, the most important patristic theologian ever to deal with the issues of Christolgy,. This book is essential reading for all those interested in the theology and spirituality of the fathers, in the ancient church's use of scripture, and the way in which the church once creatively expressed is thinking through the media and philosophy and of the natural sciences. paperback. pp. 150

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM translation and introduction by Catharine Roth: ON WEALTH AND POVERTY ; ORTH.This great orator addresses the question of wealth and poverty in the lives of people of his day. Yet Chryostom's words proclaim the truth of the Gospel to all people of all times. The message of the story of Lazarus is brought home to every person with insight and compassion. paper 140 pp   £7.99   

WARE Timothy:    ORTHODOX CHURCH, THE ; ORTH. A 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 own tradition.second edition 1997. paper. index. pp. 358 By the Author of "The Orthodox Way" 

HYREW Hugh. :    ORTHODOX LITURGY. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUCHARISTIC LITURGY IN; THE BYZANTINE RITE. ; ORTH. How has the Orthodox liturgy come to have the shape it has? How different is it from the eucharistic rites of the Western Churches? Hugh Wybrew's authoritative but splendidly readable book traces step-by step the story of the development of the Orthodox liturgy from the Last Supper to the present day. With illustrations. 189 pp. paper

: ORTHODOX RELIGION. THE PRIEST'S SERVICE BOOK ; orth. Expanded and supplemented.The Daily OFFICES. translated from Church Slavonic with notes by St. Tikhon's Monastery. pp.307. small hardback. 

A MONK OF THE EASTERN CHURCH: ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY ; ORTH. An outline of the orthodox Aescetical and mystical tradition. second edition. A thorough introduction to Orthodox doctrine, for Orthodox spirituality cannot be properly understood apart from the theology on which it rests. that the aim of man's life is union with God and deification in Christ through the Holy Spirit. paper. 111 pp.  

ALLEN Joseph Edited : ORTHODOX SYNTHESIS. The Unity of Theological Thought ; ORTH.These essays, by well-known theologians representing various branches of theology- liturgies, ecclesialogy, ethics, pastoral practice, church history, biblical studies- contribute to the "unity of theological thought" in the Orthodox Church. paper. 231 pp.  

LOSSKY Vladimir: ORTHODOX THEOLOGY. An introduction ; ORTH. Can we know God? What is the relation of creation to the Creator? How did man fall, and how is he saved? Lossky demonstrates the close relationship between the Orthodox doctrine of the Trinity and the Orthodox understanding of man. paper. pp. 137

BISHOP KALLISTOS WARE:    ORTHODOX WAY, THE ; ORTH. A classic account of the belief, worship and life of the Orthodox Church which raises the basic issues of theology. God as hidden yet revealed, the problem of evil, the nature of salvation, the meaning of faith, prayer , death and what lies beyond."simply and accessibly written, (the Orthodox Way)presents a picture of the Orthodox way of faith and prayer,showing at every stage the links which bind together doctrine and devotion, dogma and experience. paper. 164 pp By the Author of the seminal work "The Orthodox Church"  

HETHERINGON Paul:    PAINTER'S MANUAL OF DIONYSIUS OF OF FOURNA ; ORTH. This detailed book is among the oldest of the "Greek Style" narrative pattern books and instruction texts extant. A classic henneneia ("interpretation" or "expounding," literally), this oversize, small-print gem includes introductory sections on icon painting techniques and describes hundreds of figures of Saints, Old and New Testament events, parables, feast days, decorations of churches, colour etc. Detailed appendices make this a reference and source document par excellence. Compiled on Mount Athos from 1730-1734, from ancient and contemporary sources. paperback. 128 pp.    Currently unavailable

PALMER Ed. SHERRARD Phillip and Kallistos Ware. Translated from the Greek:  PHILOKALIA VOL 1.. The complete text compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios o f Corinth. ; ORTH.  THE PHILOKALIA is a collection of texts written between the fourth and fifteenth centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition. First published in Greek in 1782 , translated into Slavonic and later into Russian, The philokalia has exercised an influence far greater than that of any book other than the Bible in the recent history of the Orthodox Church. This excellent English translation which takes into account the latest scholarly research into the original works, represents a major "gift" from the wise men of the East. The fluency of the literary style of this translation and the practical understanding which these writings reveal for the spiritual predicaments facing each Christian in every generation brings the book well within the range of the ordinary reader who seeks spiritual consul. The complete PHILOKALIA covers the period from the fourth to the fifteenth century. Vol. 1. takes us up to the eighth century and is thus the common heritage of Orthodox and Catholics. paper. index. glossary. p.p. 378   

PALMER G. Ed. Phillip Sherrard. Kallistos Ware.. Translated from; the Greek: PHILOKALIA. Vol. 2. ; ORTH.The second volume consists mainly of writings from the seventh century, in; particular by St. Maximus the Confessor,the greater part of which has never been translated into English. As in the first volume the editors have provided introductory notes to each of the writers, a glossary of key terms and a detailed index. paper. pp. 414  

PALMER G. ED. Philip Sherrard and Kallistos Ware. Translated from the Greek.:     PHILOKALIA. Vol. 4. ; ORTH The fourth volume contains some of the most important writings in the entire collection. St. Symeon the New Theologians speaks about the conscious experience of the Holy Spirit and about the vision of the divine and uncreated Light. St. Gregory of Sinai provides practical guidance concerning the life of the Hesychast and the use of the Jesus Prayer. St.Gregory Palamas, in a difficult but deeply rewarding text, discusses the distinction- often misunderstood - between the essence and the energies of God. paper. glossary. index. pp,. 458  

CONIARIS Anthony. PHILOKALIA. THE BIBLE OF ORTHODOX SPIRITUALILTY.1998 New/Paper. ORTH. Orthodox spirituality for the lay person. The Philokalia is a treasure of the Orthodox Spirtual life. For several reasons, however, it is buried treasure, inaccessible to the ordinary Orthodox Christian because its primary audience is the Orthodox monastic Community. Consquently, there is a distance between the text of the Philokalia and the clergy and the laity of the Church who are not monastics. pp. 302

BEHR-SIGEL Elisabeth. BIGHAM Steven. trans.,:    PLACE OF THE HEART. An introduction to ORTHODOX Spirituality., ; ORTH. Basic elements of spirituality through the steps of primitive monasticism. Describes the six basic and essential elements; scripture, the Psalms and Gospels, primitive Christianity, Hellenistic intellectual, primitive monastic, liturgical and contemplative. Included is "The Power of the Name " by Bishop Kallistos Ware. Explores the meaning of the Jesus Prayer.paper. 192 pp.   

BRECK John.: POWER OF THE WORD in the worshipping church. ; ORTH THE SCRIPTURES IN ORTHODOX INTERPRETATION, CONFESSION AND CELEBRATION . A major contribution to Orthodox Christian theology in which tradition and Scripture and theoria and worship, are brought together in a coherent and cogent way to demonstrate the essential unity between Word and Sacrament. 237 pp. paperback

THE PRIEST'S SERVICE BOOK (ORTHODOX RELIGION) orth. Expanded and supplemented.The Daily OFFICES. translated from Church Slavonic with notes by St. Tikhon's Monastery. pp.307. small hardback. 

MEYENDORFF John., Editor.:    PRIMACY OF PETER . Historical and Ecclesiological Studies. ; ORTH Orthodox theologians reflect upon the scriptural passages which single out Peter among the disciples of Jesus. Contributors include John Meyendorff, Alexander Schemann, Nicholas Afanassieff, Nicholas Afanssieff, Nicholas Koulomzine and Veselin Keisch. This book is a contribution to the ongoing ecumenical dialogue on an issue which has divided Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians for many centuries, presenting a stumbling block to others as well. It is timely and still relevant today. paper 172 pp.   

FARO Michael. Compiled by: PSALM VERSES OF THE ORTHODOX LITURGY. According to the Greek and Slav Usage ; ORTH The appropriate psalm chapters and verses as they are used in the services of the Orthodox church according to both the Greek and Slavic usages. This is a book for all those interested in authentic liturgy. It covers the liturgical year, including all the special psalms of feast days and holy days. A companion to the various liturgical calendars guides used by the priest, chanters, choir directors. paper.