Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog » books

Praise the Theotokos – a selection of readings

Fr. Vasile — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:25:28 +0000

On the Dormition of Mary: Early Patristic Homilies From St. Vladimir Press a collection of early homilies on the Dormition of the Theotokos. Most of these works have never been translated into English before, and some are not available in any modern Continue reading

Books on Liturgy and Sacraments

Fr. Vasile — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:02:25 +0000

Nicholas Cabasilas A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy A remarkable product of Byzantium's last great flowering of theology. Essential reading for the fields of comparative liturgy and history of liturgy. Robert F. Taft Through Their Own Eyes: Liturgy as the Byzantines Saw It Continue reading

The Perfect Gift for Christmas

Fr. Vasile — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:57:04 +0000

Please take a look at these two wonderful books by Niko Chocheli. Mr. Choceli was born in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, where he graduated with honors from Tbilisi Nikoladze Art College and Tbilisi State Academy of Fine Arts. Awarded permanent residency status by the U.S. government as Alien of Extraordinary Abilities, Niko has received numerous awards for is artistic achievements. He has illustrated three other children's books for SVS Continue reading

Daily Bible readings and the Holy Fathers

Fr. Vasile — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:01:25 +0000

I recently came across this impressive book that features a collection of daily Bible readings according to the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Calendar. So far nothing exciting, there are many like this. What is unique about this book is that it features commentaries from the Orthodox Fathers. This makes it a unique daily companion for the Orthodox seeker of divine knowledge. Continue reading

Who’s Bible is it?

Fr. Vasile — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:16:09 +0000

Most books about the Bible are principally concerned with how it came to be and what it meant in its historical context. But -- as readers of Jaroslav Pelikan's ''Whose Bible Is It?'' will find -- that is really only the beginning of the Bible's story. Continue reading

Further study on the meaning of marriage from a Christian Orthodox perspective

Fr. Vasile — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:49:40 +0000

Marriage, an Orthod ox Perspective - Fr. John Meyendorf An excellent study on Christian marriage of the former dean of St. Vladimir Seminary that represents a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the Orthodox perspective on marriage. In it John Meyendorff examines marriage in the Church from the contexts of Judaism and the New Testament, the early Church and Roman law, sacramental life, and contemporary society. Specific issues discussed include: second marriages, "mixed" marriages, divorce, abortion, family planning and responsible parenthood, married clergy, celibacy, and the monastic life. Essential reading for all pastors, it is also useful for parents, newlyweds and those preparing or the sacrament of marriage.

Marriage As a Path to Holiness: Lives of Married Saints

Fr. Vasile — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:14:55 +0000

"Marriage As a Path to Holiness: Lives of Married Saints" is a very interesting book taking a closer look at saints that lived a married life. Here is an excerpt from the foreword by Bishop Kallistos Ware "Drawing on that rich but often neglected source, the Lives of the Saints, this book provides us with a representative selection of models, of icons in words, to encourage us on our own journey to the kingdom, whether we are married or not. . . . What is striking first of all about the examples chosen is their diversity. They are spread in time across nearly four thousand years, from the Old Testament era up to our own day. In space Continue reading