​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This page was updated on October 21, 2024





Relaxing Orthodox Chants For Studying With Snow and Fire Sounds


Did you know that the Christian Church was in existence for almost 400 years before the Bible was compiled?  And who did that?  Hint:  It wasn't the Baptists or Presbyterians, or Methodist, or Lutherans, or Amish or even the Roman Catholics - those groups didn't even come into existence for well over 1,000 - 1,600+ years AFTER Pentecost! (see timeline InfoGraphics below)


Orthodox Christianity is probably the best kept secret in America.  If you ask someone to tell you about the history of the Christian Church, they probably wouldn't be able to tell you much, if anything, about its origins or development and growth following Pentecost.  I attended Roman Catholic school for 4 years and a variety of different Protestant denomination and "non-denominational" churches throughout my life and interestingly, but now not surprisingly, this subject was never mentioned in any of the dozens of classes I took.  So, if you want to learn about the history of the Church, the original Christian Church as founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles, and understand Christianity as the other early Church Fathers did, then you need to start with the Orthodox Church.  [Remember, during Christ's life and following Pentecost and many centuries thereafter, the Christian Church was one - there were no Roman Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Amish, Lutherans, Methodists, etc.  In 787, the last Ecumenical Council was held by the Church and at that point, what we know today as the Orthodox Church essentially drew a "line in the sand" and has not changed (worship services, theology, doctrine, etc.) since.  However, as we know, that cannot be said of the Roman Catholic Church or any of the other Protestant denominations that have followed and continue to change to this day, some to the point that they are almost unrecognizable as a Christian church.]


To continue, ​Christianity (its theology, dogma, kerygma, etc.), in its modern form, has changed much since the Roman Patriarchate broke away from the 4 other (Orthodox) Patriarchates [Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Constantinople (now Istanbul)] in approximately 1054 A.D. (known as the Great Schism - more on that below) and formed what we know today as the Roman Catholic Church. [Remember,Peter was the Bishop of Antioch from AD 49-54 before he went to Rome and became its first bishop (which is in dispute as Anicetus is the first person truly known to be bishop of Rome from 157-168 CE) and again, that was approximately 1,000 years before the Roman Catholic church even officially came into existence, so the actual first "pope" of the Roman Catholic church was either Leo IX, Victor II or Stephen IX. Article here and here.]  Also, remember that Constantinople and the Bishops of the East were the ones with the authority to convene the Ecumenical Councils, NOT Rome!  The 4 remaining Patriarchates eventually formed what we refer to today as the Orthodox Christian Church (Greek, Antiochian, OCA, Russian, Ukranian, Serbian, Romanian and others).  Later, in 1517 A.D., Martin Luther led the Protestant Reformation when he broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.  Surprisingly, many Christians are unaware of even this most basic bit of the history of Christianity, let alone what was going on with Christianity and the Church for almost 400 years before the Canon of the Scriptures (the Holy Bible) was compiled and accepted.  Sadly, much of the rich history, tradition and teachings from the Apostles and the early Church Fathers has either been forgotten or discarded by almost all denominations except the Orthodox Christian Church.  When you think about it, it makes no sense whatsoever to ignore this critical period in our faith's history.  You have no idea what you've been missing, but if you desire to learn, please read on and explore this website.

​Inasmuch and even with even with all this information available to you on this website and many others about Orthodoxy, it can be difficult make sense of Christianity in its original form and the original Church because again, basically, what most of us think we know about Christianity is incorrect.  I know because I was one of them!! Therefore, I always strongly recommend anyone seriously interested in the ancient faith always seek the guidance and counsel of the Orthodox clergy in your area - they are always your best resource and can help properly guide you through your quest for greater understanding and knowledge.  Do not hesitate for any reason to reach out to them - they sincerely want to help you, but won't pressure or pester you - that's not the Orthodox way.


               Timeline of Church History & Denominational InfoGraphics:


                    1        2      3      4        5        6        7                        

                

​"So what is the Orthodox Church?  It is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn’t non-denominational – it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago."  Original author unknown.



ORTHODOXY BASICS


When I tell people that I'm an Orthodox Christian, they invariably give me a funny look, like, A WHAT???  And when I tell them that Orthodox Christians are the second largest group of Christians (next to Roman Catholics), I get another confused look.  THEN, when I tell them that we're the Christians that the Catholics split off from around 1054 A.D., I REALLY get a confused look - just like the one you're making now! ;-)  Ah, but such is the (poor) state of education regarding the history of Christ's Church.  More on that later.  Of course, then a barrage of questions follow and it's very difficult to explain if one has never been to an Orthodox Church and participated in the main worship service (Divine Liturgy).  So, there's plenty of material here to answer all your questions, but let me boil it down to this, and I've given it a lot of thought and even though it may be a poor and wholly inadequate analogy, I think you'll get the idea:  So now let's talk about ice cream.  Imagine that all your life you've had nothing but vanilla ice cream.  In fact, you didn't even know that other flavors existed, let alone things like malts, shakes, sundaes, ice cream pies, cakes, etc.  Then, one day, a friend invites you out for ice cream and takes you to Baskin Robbins and you come to the shocking realization that there are at least 31 flavors and all the other variations.  THEN, your friend orders you a banana split sundae and you taste it for the first time.  At that point, you realize how MUCH you have been missing ALL YOUR LIFE!  This type of revelation is almost always what happens to my Protestant, and some Roman Catholic, friends when they go to an Orthodox Church, see all the exquisite Byzantine iconography, smell the incense, hear the chanters, choir and priests and come to understand what is going on in the incredibly beautiful, heavenly worship service and experience worship just the way the very first Christians did. [Yes, it takes some studying, especially and even for those born into the Church (cradles) who have never taken the time or interest to learn about their faith - you really need to!]  It's not like just sitting in the pews and listening for an hour.  The Greek word for Liturgy is liturgos, or, the "work of the people," or "people's work."  It's called that because there is a high degree of participation in the service compared to what most see in western Christianity.  I'll let you watch some of the short clips below and they will explain more, but I'm going to stop now, otherwise I'll ramble on for pages. ;-)



BRIEF EXPLANATIONS (videos)  (broken links fixed!!)


  QUICK-READ INFORMATIONAL

      ​​​       Podcast        Several more podcasts on this subject   [Just for you Marilyn! :-)]



   A PROTESTANT LEARNS ABOUT ORTHODOXY



      Do You Know Someone Who is An Atheist or Agnostic?  

   Show Them These Short Videos:  (broken links fixed!!)




IN-DEPTH STUDIES



To Download Videos or Audio Content from YouTube,

use Y2MATE free service.


Audios & Videos

Evangelion: Intro to the Orthodox Faith  (An 8-part YouTube series with Father Deacon Ezra Ham, Administrator of St. Elijah's Church in Oklahoma City.  Deacon Ezra, a former Baptist minister himself, scholar, author and university professor, is an incredibly knowledgeable, dynamic, engaging and entertaining instructor.  His classes offer perhaps the best, comprehensive explanation of the history of the Christian Church and Orthodox Christianity.  Be sure to get the accompanying booklet PDF file with each video - links are below the video.  Also contact the Church (link above) and inquire about purchasing the full, exhaustive, several-hundred-page manual that goes with this course - it's worth its weight in gold and it weighs about 5 pounds, well, almost!)


Finding the Church that Jesus Built 2.0  (An updated, 7-part series version of Deacon Ezra Ham's original 1994 class which can be found here.)


The Mystagogic Liturgy  (A 12-part series with Father Deacon Ezra Ham, Administrator of St. Elijah's Church in Oklahoma City. )  What happens when the Church assembles? Is worship a spectator sport? What are the three principles of interpretation we use to understand written texts? Do assumptions prevent our experiencing the Presence? Enter into a discussion of these topics as preparation for discussing the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church.


Apocalypse  [Father Deacon Ezra Ham's extensive and comprehensive class on the Book of Revelation.  YES!!!  This is the class we've all been waiting for from Deacon Ezra!  This class consists of 27 lectures, most around 1.5 - 2.5 hours each in length.  Also, there are 3 accompanying book volumes (Apocalypse 1, 2, & 3), which can be purchased from Amazon.com.]  (Be sure to see Deacon Ezra's many other publications on Amazon.com)


Orthodox Catechism (Listen and experience the incredible wisdom and incomparable knowledge of Fr. Nicklas Aiello of St. Basil the Great Orthodox Mission in Weatherford, OK, as he discusses the tenets of Orthodox Christianity for those who are new to the faith or those who were born into Orthodoxy and just want a better understanding of it.  Christians of all denominations can benefit from Fr. Nick's teachings.)


Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy (Orthodoxy compared to other denominations and faiths) - An excellent podcast series with Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick.  Be sure to get his book, as well.


Why Closed Communion? Being in 'Good' Standing (or 'In Communion' with the Church) This subject comes up very frequently and is a real sore spot not only for Protestants, but some Orthodox, as well, who want to bring their Protestant friends to visit, but have to give them a usually very awkward and poorly enunciated explanation of why they cannot take communion with the rest of the the congregation (since many Protestant denominations practice 'open' communion.)  And, recently there has been a lot in the news about President Biden and other pro-abortion politicians possibly being denied Communion because of their staunch support for unlimited abortion.  Communion/the Eucharist means something much different to Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics than it does most Protestants and, of course, the secular media knows practically nothing about it at all, nor do they care since those "learned and enlightened" individuals consider anything religious something archaic, passé, and only for the weak-minded and uneducated people in "flyover country."  Most of the problem stems from a lack of understanding and education of exactly what Communion (partaking of the Holy Eucharist) means in the eyes of the original (Orthodox) Christian Church and what it means to be in 'good' standing or 'in communion' with the Church.  If you are Orthodox, at the very least, you need to study and understand one of these very basic, yet perhaps one of the most important tenets of our faith.  I have assembled a few articles and podcasts that I hope will help:





Taking a Tour of the Orthodox Church


Eastern Christianity part 1 - The Eastern Orthodox with Dr. Ken Parry

Eastern Christianity part 2 - The Oriental Orthodox with Dr. Ken Parry

Eastern Christianity part 3 - The Church in Asia: Central Asia, China, India, etc. with Dr. Ken Parry


History of Orthodox Christianity, part 1 (Beginnings) - Greek Orthodox Telecommunications

History of Orthodox Christianity, part 2 (Byzantium) - Greek Orthodox Telecommunications

History of Orthodox Christianity, part 3 (A Hidden Treasure) - Greek Orthodox Telecommunications


Hagia Sophia, Istanbul's Ancient Mystery (Documentary video)  or here


Holy Orthodoxy: The Ancient Church of Acts in the 21st Century (video)


Introduction to Orthodox Christianity - Greek Orthodox Archdioces in America educational series - EXCELLENT!


Introduction to Orthodoxy Fall 2016:  A Basic Catechesis in Orthodox Christianity with Fr Justin Patterson (11-video series)  EXCELLENT!


Introduction to Orthodox Christianity part 1 - Fr Michael K Courey

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity part 2 - Fr Michael K Courey

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity part 3 - Fr Michael K Courey

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity part 4 - Fr Michael K Courey

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity part 5 - Fr Michael K Courey

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity part 6 - Fr Michael K Courey


Orthodoxy 101 Boot Camp! with Father Barnabas Powell, session 1

Orthodoxy 101 Boot Camp! with Father Barnabas Powell, session 2

Orthodoxy 101 Boot Camp! with Father Barnabas Powell, session 3

Orthodoxy 101 Boot Camp! with Father Barnabas Powell, session 4

Orthodoxy 101 Boot Camp! with Father Barnabas Powell, session 5


Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 01 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 02 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 03 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 04 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 05 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 06 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 07 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 08 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 09 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 10 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 11 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 12 by Fr John Brown 2021

Intro to Orthodoxy - Lecture 13 by Fr John Brown 2021


The Defense of Orthodoxy (against Protestantism) part 1 - Frank Schaeffer

The Defense of Orthodoxy (against Protestantism) part 2 - Frank Schaeffer

The Defense of Orthodoxy (against Protestantism) part 3 - Frank Schaeffer


The Way: Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith -  Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (12-part video series) EXCELLENT!


Understanding the Orthodox Christian Faith


Welcome to the Orthodox Christian Church with Federica Mathewes-Green (33 video series) EXCELLENT!


The Longer Catechism of The Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church - Pravoslavieto.com


A Journey to Fullness with Fr. Barnabas Powell - A 16-video set produced by Fr. Barnabas Powell and Faith Encouraged Ministries to help introduce the richness and fullness of the Orthodox Christian Faith to the serious minded Christian.


Patristic Nectar Films - Excellent videos on a variety of topics applicable to today's world and Orthodox theology.  Also see their full website for much more audio, video and print content:  Patristic Nectar Publications  EXCELLENT!!


Protecting Veil - The Collective Wisdom Project YouTube channel


LISTEN: 12-part Podcast Series: An Orthodox View of the “End Times” by Presbytera Jeannie Constantinou, PhD

  1. An Orthodox Introduction to the Apocalypse
  2. What is Apocalyptic Literature?
  3. The Historical Context of Revelation (Part 1)
  4. The Historical Context of Revelation (Part 2)
  5. The Place of Revelation in the New Testament Canon
  6. The Rapture: An Invention of Man
  7. Understanding the False Teaching of the Rapture
  8. When Was The Book of Revelation Written?
  9. Andrew of Cesarea and Revelation 1
  10. “For the Time is near”
  11. The Vision and The Commission of Christ
  12. Understanding the Letters to the Seven Churches


Also related podcasts by Dr. Constantinou:

  1. Are These the End Times, pt 1?
  2. Are These the End Times, pt 2?
  3. Are These the End Times, pt 3?


More on this subject in the Related Articles section below.


Search The Scriptures - An interesting and accessible Orthodox Bible study by Presbytera Jeannie Constantinou, PhD (EXCELLENT!!)

       Printed

The Orthodox Faith by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (all 4 volumes) - A Definitive Resource - EXCELLENT!




   Articles

What is Orthodoxy?  - Catalog of Good Deeds


Discover Orthodox Christianity - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America educational series


Introduction to Orthodoxy - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America educational series

Orthodoxy - Orthodox Church in America (OCA) educational resources


What Orthodox Christians Believe (Nicene-Constantinople Creed with Scriptural citations) - Presbytera Jeannie Constantinou


What Orthodox Christians Believe (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America)


Introduction to Orthodox Christianity (series of brief articles) - Fr, Andrew Damick of St. Paul Antiochican Orthodox Christian Church in Emmaus, PA


Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 1 of 11

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 2 of 11, First Experience of Orthodoxy: The Liturgy-Transcendant, Enveloping Beauty

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 3 of 11,  Icons, Images of the Saints and Reverence for the Virgin Mary - Proslavie

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 4 of 11, A Family of Churches

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 5 of 11, Why I Left the Roman Catholic Church

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 6 of 11 Orthodoxy: In Part Catholicism's Correction, In Part Its Fulfullment

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 7 of 11, The Church's Catholicity

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 8 of 11, Papal Infallibility: A Distortional Innovation and an Affront to the Conciliarity of the Church

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 9 of 11, The Centrality of the Holy Spirit and the Necessity of Philanthropia

Why Orthodoxy? by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 10 of 11, That You Be Saints

Why Orthodoxy?  by Ryan Hunter at Proslavie, Part 11 of 11, Conclusion


Fr Bill's (Olnhausen) Orthodox Blog on Orthodoxy & Other Faiths Series (full)

#31  Intro Pt 1, How to deal with other faiths honestly but respectfully, 9-22-2017

#32  Intro Pt 2, Non-Monotheistic Faiths, 9-29-2017

#35  Protestant Reformation, Pt 1 - How Luther was right and why he went wrong:

        A case study in what happens when you turn away from the Church’s Tradition,

        10-20-2017

#36  Protestant Reformation, Pt 2 - Where Luther was right, Where he went wrong, and

        What it all led to, 10-27-2017

#41  Judaism - Pt 1, 12-1-2017

#42  Judaism - Pt 2, 12-8-2017

#50  Islam, 1-31-2018

#54  Roman Catholicism, Pt 1 - How We Began to Grow Apart, 3-2-2018

#55  Roman Catholicism, Pt 2 - The Great Schism, 3-8-2018

#56  Roman Catholicism, Pt 3 - The Great Schism & What Followed, 3-13-2018

#61  Classical Protestantism - Pt 1, 4-13-2018

#62  Classical Protestantism - Pt 2, The Denominations, 4-27-2018

#71  Orthodoxy & LGBTQ - Pt 1, 6-22-2018

#72  Orthodoxy & LGBTQ - Pt 2, 6-29-2018
#73  Modern Protestantism, Pt 1 - Protestant disunity, Orthodox unity, 7-6-2018

#74  Modern Protestantism, Pt 2 - Everything turns upside down, 7-13-2018

#75  Modern Protestantism, Pt 3 - Why is the Mainline down? Why are Evangelicals up?

        Pentecostals. Charismatics, 7-20-2018

#76  Some Extra-Protestant Groups, Pt 1 - Unitarians, Mormons, 7-27-2018

#77  Some Extra-Protestant Groups, Pt 2 - Christian Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses –

        and finally: How to Live in a non-Orthodox Society, 8-3-2018


#146  Questions you’ve always intended to ask about Orthodox worship by never got

          around to it – Part One

#147  More Questions you’ve always intended to ask about Orthodox worship but

         never got around to – Part Two


#151  The Divine Liturgy 1 - The Service of Preparation, part 1

#151.1  The Preparation: An Addendum – The Priest’s Vesting Prayers

#152  The Divine Liturgy 2 - The Preparation, part 2

#163  The Divine Liturgy 3 - How to Prepare Ourselves for Holy Communion

#164  The Divine Liturgy 4 - The Basics, The Purpose of Divine Liturgy

#165  The Divine Liturgy 5 - The Pro-Pro Anaphora

#166  The Divine Liturgy 6 - The True Pro-Anaphora

#171  The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great - The Anaphora, part 1




EDUCATIONAL & NEWS RESOURCES

(Be sure to see the Archdiocese & Church Websites page for many more resources.)

A Journey to Fullness with Fr. Barnabas Powell - A 16-video set produced by Fr. Barnabas Powell and Faith Encouraged Ministries to help introduce the richness and fullness of the Orthodox Christian Faith to the serious minded Christian.

American Orthodox Institute

Ancient Faith Ministries

Ancient Faith Ministries New to Orthodoxy podcast series - EXCELLENT!

Ancient Faith Publications Booklets & Pamphlets on Every Topic - EXCELLENT!

Are You Saved?  The Orthodox Christian Process of Salvation

Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America   Facebook page

Catalog of Good Deeds (Catalogue of St. Elisabeth Convent's blog) - all Orthodox Topics - EXCELLENT!

Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies

Christian Classics Ethereal Library (Early Church Fathers' Writings)

Desert Wisdom

Discover Orthodox Christianity - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America educational series -EXCELLENT!

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom & St. Basil the Great (Antiochian White Service Book)

Eastern Orthodox Spirituality

Eighth Day Institute (not to be confused with Eighth Day Books)

Faith Encouraged Series with Fr. Barnabas Powell (EXCELLENT!)

Family Life Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta

Father Bill's (Olnhausen) Blog on Orthodoxy - EXCELLENT!

Get to Know the Original

Good Guys Wear Black - Discerning Your Vocation in the Orthodox Church

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Educational Video page - EXCELLENT!

Holy & Great Council of the Orthodox Church Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

In Communion - Website of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship (OPF)

Internet Christian Library - Guide to Early Church Documents

Introduction to the Orthodox Church

Journey to Orthodoxy (For Those on the Path to the Orthodox Christian Faith - see

                                   below for more stories)

Living Orthodox

Monachos

Monomakhos - One Who Fights Alone (news and opinion)

Mount Athos Greek Manuscripts Catalog

Mystagogy Resource Center

NETS (New English Translation of the Septuagint, updated June 2014)

O+Elders

Once Delivered Faith 

Origins of the Eastern Orthodox Church - OrthodoxPhotos.com

Orthodox America

Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion

Orthodox Christian Children

Orthodox Christian eBooks

Orthodox Christian Education Commission

Orthodox Christian Information Center

Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL)

Orthodox Christian Network (OCN)

Orthodox Christian Page

Orthodox Christianity (OrthoChristian.com)    Facebook page

Orthodox Christian Parenting   Facebook page

Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Orthodoxy Info & Studies Resource homepage

Orthodox Church of Tomorrow - Fr. John Peck

Orthodox Circle

Orthodox Faith

OrthodoxNet

OrthodoxNet Collection of Articles on Orthodox Christianity

OrthodoxNet Collection of Articles on the Orthodox Church

OrthodoxNet Colleciton of Articles on Orthodox Theology

OrthodoxNet Collection of Articles on Orthodox Worship

Orthodox Outpost - Crossroads of Culture and Orthodox Christian Opinion

Orthodox Path

(Orthodox) Preachers Institute

OrthodoxPhotos

Orthodox Reformed Bridge

Orthodox Resource (podcasts, studies & more)

Orthodox Scouter (Outstanding info on Orthodoxy and  list of resources)

Orthodox Times

Orthodox Way of Life

OrthodoxWriter - Official Website of Author Amelia Bacic-Tulevski

Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy

Orthodoxy in Dialogue

Orthodoxy Today (Commentary on Social & Moral Issues of the Day)

Orthognosia

Patristic Nectar Publications (books, audio, video, more, EXCELLENT!)

PragerU Religion & Philosophy Video page (EXCELLENT) (In the Trending by Topic section)

Pravmir - Orthodox Christianity and the World

Preachers Institute - World's Premier Online Orthodox Homelitics Resource

Russian Faith Christian Renaissance

​Sobornost -Returning to Orthodox Community

Sourozh Sphere (The Heritage of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh)

St. John the Forerunner

St. Pachomius Library (vast, in-depth resources)

The Longer Catechism of the Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church [aka the Catechism of St. Philaret (Drozdov) of Moscow] 

​​The Orthodox Faith by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (all 4 volumes) - A Definitive Resource - EXCELLENT!

Our Life in Christ

True Orthodox Christianity

True Orthodoxy

UOJ - Union of Orthodox Journalists




MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES (Audio, Video, Podcasts, Music)

Ancient Faith Ministries (Over 130 audio & video podcast series and 35,000+ episodes covering every topic imaginable to Orthodoxy with more being added all the time.  Listen and download from the website or through iTunes.  If you want to search for a certain phrase on their website, be sure to put it in quotes.)

(Excel Spreadsheet List of All Podcast Titles updated 3-13-2019)

Ancient Faith Ministries New to Orthodoxy podcast series - EXCELLENT!

Living Orthodox

Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL)

Orthodox Christian Network (OCN)

Orthodox TV

​Patristic Nectar Publications (books, audio, video, more, EXCELLENT!)

Proslavie

Search the Scriptures - Orthodox Bible study by Presbytera Jeannie Constantinou (audio) - EXCELLENT!

Theoria (YouTube Channel) OUTSTANDING!




MUSIC

Liturgica

Nikodimos Kabarnos (Beautiful chant in the Hagia Sophia)





REFERENCE MATERIALS (new, section, under construction)

Akathists, Canons & Services 

Orthodox Liturgical Texts And Resources  or here  (in multiple languages)

Orthodox Reality - Maps, census data, studies, news, reports & other data




RELATED ARTICLES, PODCASTS & VIDEOS

A miscellaneous and random collection of interesting articles, podcasts and videos on a variety of (mostly Orthodox) topics that I have collected throughout my studies and web travels.


12 Days of Christmas: An Orthodox Christian Perspective, 12-25-2017

​14 Types of Ancient Christian Crosses, 9-29-2016

5 Differences Between Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism, 6-5-2017

​5 Misconceptions about the Orthodox Church, 1-9-2018

5 Things I've Learned from Protestants (and Other Non-Orthodox People)

5 things Protestant churches in the U.S. can learn from Eastern Orthodoxy - Andrey Shirin, Baptist News Global, 4/25/2019 <Correction:  Orthodox membership and retention is INCREASING!>

5 Ways the Divine Liturgy Connects Time, History, and Eternity (Infographic), 4-12-2019

7 Facts About the Blessing of Home

7 Reasons that Reading the Bible = Tradition – Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, 8-11-2014

7 Things That Mean Something Completely Different to Orthodox People

50 Countries Where It's Most Dangerous to Follow Jesus - World Watch List 2018

A Christian Understanding of Homosexuality, Part 1

A Word About Christian Apologetics

ABC's Sanctuary: Christians of the East (video)

The Abnormal Cannot Dictate What's Normal, 8-29-2017 

Abortion Revisited, Part 1 - Fr Bill's Blog, 6-26-2022

Abortion Revisited, Part 2 - Fr Bill's Blog, 7-1-2022

All You Need to Know about Holy Water, 1-17-2019

Anaphora: the Meaning of the Central Prayer of the Liturgy, 9-8-2018

Are There Any Occupations that Are Incompatible with Christian Belief?

​​The Assurance of Salvation: Will We Be Saved no Matter What?, 10-4-2018

The Case Against Liberal Compassion - Imprimus, 10-2014

The Christian Faith is Not Only About the Past; Which is Why It Bolsters Science - Tyler O'Neil, 5-11-2016

An Orthodox Perspective on Roman Catholicism - Fr. Josiah Trenham (video)

​​​An Orthodox Reflection on the 12 Days of Christmas - Vincent Gabriel, 12-22-2014

An Orthodox Response to John Calvin on Icons: Icons and Idolatry - Vincent Gabriel, 2-2-2014

An Orthodox View of Revelation and the "End Times" - Presbytera Jeannine Constantinou (12-part audio series)

Another Jesus - Fr. Lawrence Farley, 4-3-2015

Backgrounder on schism of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, 9/13/2017

Battle of Manzikert: The 'Subjugation of Christianity by Islam' - The savage story of how Turkey came into being, 9-1-2020

​The Beauty of Church Life: Why Is Church Worship so Important?, 8-24-2018

​The Beauty of Orthodoxy (music and images)

​Becoming Orthodox (How to join the #Orthodox Church), 12-29-2023​

The Bed Undefiled by Politics: Orthodox Christian Thoughts on Gay-Marriage Legislation - Amelia Bacic-Tulevski

Being in 'Good' Standing (or 'In Communion') with the Church - Fr. John Tsaras, 9-2008

Bells, On (OCF)

​Benefits of Our Prayers for the Dying, 4-1-2019

The Bodiless Powers of Heaven, Pt 1 - Fr Bill's Blog #38, 11-10-2017

The Bodiless Powers of Heaven, Pt 2 - Fr Bill's Blog #39,  11-17-2017

The Bread, the Wine and The Mode of Being (The Eucharist in Orthodoxy), 4-8-2020

​Brief Overview of Liturgical Colors in the Orthodox Church - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 12-6-2017 

​Brother Nathanael's YouTube Channel - Interesting Commentary on Religion, Politics & Current Events

​Buddhism and Eastern Asceticism Compared to Orthodox Christian Asceticism (Archimandrite Zacharias of Essex)

Byzantine Origins of Gun Control

Can I Wear а Medallion Instead of the Cross and Why?, 9-28-2018

Candles: A Basic Guide on the Use of in the Orthodox Church, 11-29-2017

​Case for Infant Baptism - Fr. Lawrence Farley, 2-9-2015

​Catholic-Orthodox Unity - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware 2011 (video)

Censing At Home - Fr. John Whiteford

Charlie Rose Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, part 1

Charlie Rose Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, part 2

Charlie Rose Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, part 3

Charlie Rose Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, part 4

Charlie Rose Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, part 5

Charlie Rose Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, part 6

Christianity & Armageddon - Fr Thomas Hopko Speaks at St Elijah

​Christians and Muslims: Do They Worship the Same God?, 01-19-2019 

Christians are under pressure in many developed countries – Russian Patriarch Kirill to Ed Schultz (Video), Pravmir, 2-16-2016

Christian Zionism & Dispensationalism

The Church and Homosexuality: A Meditation

​Church Canons: a Beginner’s Guide, 10-9-2018

Church Etiquette, Ultimate Guide to

​Church Etiquette or Some Things You Should Know While in Church (Fr. David Barr)

​Complete List of Prohibited Marriages in the Orthodox Church - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 4-12-2018

​​Conversions gradually transforming Orthodox Christianity - Baltimore Sun, 6-24-2017 

Cosmetic Surgery, An Orthodox Christian Perspective - Catalog of Good Deeds

The Creed, Pt 1: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Symbol of our Faith - Fr Bill's Blog #349, 9-23-2022

The Creed, Pt 2: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Symbol of our Faith - Fr Bill's Blog #350, 9-30-2022

The Creed, Pt 3: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Symbol of our Faith - Fr Bill's Blog #351, 10-7-2022

Cremation and the Orthodox Church - Alvin J Schmidt

Cremation - Protopresbyter George Grabbe

Dean's List of 21 Reasons to be an Orthodox Christian

Difference Between How Buddha and Christians Handle Suffering, 3-9-2015

Difference between Praying for Healing and Cure, 9-3-2018

Divine Liturgy (main worship service) at St. Elijah's in Oklahoma City with Very Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr, Economos (video)

Discussing the Main Reasons for Loss of Faith, 10-2-2019
Divine Liturgy at St. Elijah's in Oklahoma City with Metropolitan Philip (video)

Divine Liturgy, Introduction To - Fr. Thomas Hopko, 2-15-2021

Divine Liturgy lecture - part 1 - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

Divine Liturgy lecture - part 2 - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

​Divine Liturgy, The Inner Meaning of - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church in English in Byzantine Chant - Orthognosia  also at YouTube

Do the Orthodox Have Confessions? – Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, 10-12-2017

WATCH: Dr. Deborah Soh Debunks Popular Myths About Sex And Gender Identity, 8-5-2020

Eastern Orthodoxy and Private Judgement - Robin Phillips, 2-12-2014

​Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: Orthodoxy and the Environment

​​Empathy is the Antidote to Shame - Presvytera Marilisse Mars, 6-11-2015

End the Hoax: There Are No Palestinians, 02-03-2020

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 1 - Fr John

Brown, 2020 (video)

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 2 - Fr John

Brown, 2020 (video)

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 3 - Fr John Brown, 2020 (video)

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 4 - Fr John Brown, 2020 (video)

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 5 - Fr John Brown, 2020 (video)

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 6 - Fr John Brown, 2020 (video)

End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings, Part 7 - Fr John Brown, 2020 (video)

Episcopalianizing American Orthodoxy, Round II,  11-6-2014

​EU: Orthodoxy is the Enemy - Monomakhos, 5-5-2014

Evangelicals Come Home to the Orthodox Church

Facing Secularism, Orthodox Christians Must Say No!-Archbishop Job - Fr. Chris Metropulos, 12-18-2014 (video)

​Faith and Doubt: Mormonism and Orthodox Christianity – Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, 1-3-2018

Finding the New Testament Church - Fr Peter Gilquist at St Elijah on 11-13-2001 (video)

​Five Lessons the Orthodox Church Taught Me about Fasting, 4-4-2019

Five Things All Atheists Should Know About Religion - Matthew Facciani

Finding Your Way in Online Orthodoxy - Eric Jobe, 9-29-2014

Fr Deacon Ezra Ham Homily - Light Shining Out of Darkness 10-3-2021 (360p video)

Fr Deacon Ezra Ham Homily - Light Shining Out of Darkness 10-3-2021 (mp3 audio file)

Fr Deacon Ezra Ham Homily - Light Shining Out of Darkness 10-3-2021 (m4a audio file)

​Freemasonry: Antithetical to Orthodox Christianity- Fr. Thomas Sandberg, 11-1-2017

Freemasonry: Official Statement of the Church of Greece (1933)

Freemasonry, Renovationism and the Psychology of Modernism

Freemasonry and the Orthodox Christian Church

Freemasonry Compared to Christianity

Freemasonry in American Orthodox history

Freemasonry, What About - ROCOR

Gay Iconoclasm - Holding the Line Against The Radical LGBT Agenda - Fr Josiah Trenham 5-16-2016 (video)

Gay ‘marriage’: It’s not gay, and it’s not marriage, Dale Ahlquist, 5-29-2015 

Gender Issues in the Church - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware (audio)

Going Beyond Religious Fanatacism in Light of Orthodox Teaching - Archamandrite Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopaidi Monastery 2-4-2017

Great Schism, Why Did the Great Schism Happen, 11-30-2020

Great Schism, The 11-19-2017

Great Schism of 1054 Why the Catholic West and Orthodox East Divided, 7-31-2020

Great Schism of 1054: How the Church Became Divided, 1-7-2022

Great Schism (1054 AD), 4-4-2015

Greece Should Keep the Tradition of Mount Athos Despite EU Pressure - Pravmir, 2-5-2016

​“Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss: the Historical Meaning of the "Holy Kiss", The Catalog of Good Deeds, 8-31-2018

Guide to Women’s Headcoverings in the Orthodox Church - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 5-15-2018

Hagia Sophia: Muslim Fiction vs Documented Fact, ​07-15-2020 

Hesychasm, What is it? - Mystical Practice in Orthodox Christianity, 6-13-2021

History Today: The Forgotten Christian World - OCN News, 8-22-2014

Holy Angels, About (OCF)

Holy Icon - Doorway Into Heaven - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware June 2007 (video)

Holy Light (Fire) in Jerusalem (OCF)

Holy Tradition vs. Customs in the Orthodox Church - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 12-12-2017

Homily on the Dormition of Our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary by St. Gregory Palamas (OCF)

Homosexuality, part 1:  A Christian Understanding of - Orthodox Christianity 2017

Homosexuality, part 2:  A Christian Understanding of - Orthodox Christianity 2017

Homosexuality, part 3:  A Christian Understanding of - Orthodox Christianity 2017

Homosexuality, part 4:  A Christian Understanding of - Orthodox Christianity 2017

Homosexuality, parts 1 - 4: A Christian Understanding of - Orthodox Christianity - Combined into one 41-page PDF

Homosexuality:  What the Bible Really Says About - David Cipriano, 6-5-2023

(Homosexuality): LGBT & Christianity: Debunking the Biggest Myths - David Cipriano, 6-12-2023

Homosexuality: How Should Orthodox Parents Talk to Their Kids About It? Pt. 1 - Ancient Faith Presents, 4-25-2016

Homosexuality: How Should Orthodox Parents Talk to Their Kids About It? Pt. 2 - Ancient Faith Presents, 11-23-2017

How Can Converts Accept Orthodox “Culture”?, 9-9-2018

How Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos Dealt with Two Cases of Homosexuality - ​Eastern Orthodox Spirituality, 12-11-2015

How Is Orthodox Christianity Different from Islam?

How One Should Pray In Church - Orthodox Scouter, 5-7-2013

How the Christian Revolution Remade the World 12-4-2020

How to Explain that the Veneration of the Cross Is not Idolatry?, 9-26-2018

How to Pray: from Books or with Our Own Words?, 1-23-2019 

​How to Pray for the Reposed Non-Christians and Non-Orthodox?, 11-3-2017

​How Priests Feel about Our Confession, 1-27-2019

How Should Orthodox Relate to Other Christians?  Fr Thomas Hopko

​How the Russian Cross is Different From Western Crosses, 11-1-2017

How You Can Really Help a Person Instead of Just Saying “I’ll Pray For You”, 2-3-2019

The Hundred Thousand Martyrs of Tbilisi (†1227) 

​I Believe...: A Short Exposition of Orthodox Doctrine (OCF)

​If We Don't Stop It, Marxism Will Annihilate The American Way Of Life, 7-7-2020

Interracial Marriage and the Orthodox Faith - Fr. John Whiteford, 12-22-2017

Is an Orthodox Christian Allowed to Do Yoga?, 10-01-2018

​Is December 25 Really the Day When Christ Was Born?, 12-26-2018

Is It Necessary for the Orthodox to Always Wear a Cross? - Fr John Whiteford, 3-31-2019

Is Orthodoxy "Christianity, Only Tougher?" - Fr. Andrew Damick, 2-28-2015

​Is Orthodoxy Really United? - Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, 2-11-2015

Is The Ancient Church Out-of-Date - Frank Shaeffer at St Elijah

Is There Any Meaning to Be Found in Dreams? - Fr Andrew Lemeshonok, 4-1-2019

"Isn’t the Bible Enough?" or Why Orthodox Christians Do Need Holy Fathers, 10-31-2018

It’s Pascha, Not Easter!, 4-24-2019

Jesus Prayer for the Beginners - Catalog of Good Deeds, 3-22-2019

Jewish Question & Anti-Semitism in the Russian Orthodox Church, chapter 1 (OCF)

Jewish Question & Anti-Semitism in the Russian Orthodox Church, chapter 2 (OCF)
Jewish Question & Anti-Semitism in the Russian Orthodox Church, chapter 3 (OCF)
Jewish Question & Anti-Semitism in the Russian Orthodox Church, conclusion (OCF)

The Joy or Orthodoxy - American Conservative, 4/29/2019

​Kids Aren’t Really Converting and That’s Why They "Leave" the Church, 3-19-2018
The Life of our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt (OCF)

​List of 12 Things a Normal Orthodox Christian Does

Living a Balanced Orthodox Life - Youth Seminar by Archpriest John Moses (video)

Living the Orthodox Worldview - Fr Seraphim Rose

Marriage Is a Sacred Institution Between Man and Woman; ​Archbishop Demetrios - 
Anastasios Papapostolou, 4-26-2015

Mary, Why Do We Honor Her?  Because the Bible Says So, Pt. 1, Fr Bill's Blog #481, 8-9-2024

Mary, Why Do We Honor Her?  Because the Bible Says So, Pt. 2, Fr Bill's Blog #482, 8-16-2024

The Meaning of the Cross - Fr Bill's Blog #59, 4-5-2018

The Meaning of the Deaconate in the Orthodox Church, 2-13-2017

Mere Christianity, Key insights from by C.S. Lewis

Metropolitan Philip Interviewed at St Elijah by Fr Constantine Nasr 

Mount Athos, The Holy Mountain (video)

​Myth of Unity - OrthodoxHistory.org, 1-29-2018

No, Pascha does not have to be after Passover (and other Orthodox urban legends) — Roads from Emmaus, 3-31-2018

Of Old Testament Haircuts and New Testament Head Coverings,8-18-2017

​On Glossologia (Speaking in Tongues) - Elder Cleopa of Romania, 12-18-2014

On Greeting One Another During the Divine Liturgy (Kiss of Peace)

Origin of the Jesus Prayer and What the Scripture Says about It, 9-19-2018

Orthodox Bishop Answers 4 Questions on Science and the Theory of Evolution

Orthodox Catechism (in brief) (OCF)

Orthodox Christianity:  Sanity in an Insane World - Judith Irene Matta (video)

Orthodox Christianity and Predestination According to St. Symeon the New Theologian, 12-12-2017

Orthodox Christians on Penal Substitutionary Atonement, 7-22-2018

Orthodox "Invasion" - Peter J. Leithart, 2-16-2016

Orthodox Perspective on Roman Catholicism - Fr Josiah Trenham
Orthodox Priest (Fr. Thomas Zain) Speaks about Middle East Crisis on American TV - OCN News, 1-2-2015 (video)

An Open Letter to a “Gay-Rights” Advocate
The Orthodox Renaissance - A New Generation of Theologians Gives Hope for the Future of Orthodoxy in the West - Paul L. Gavrilyuk, 12-2012

Orthodox Theologies of the Afterlife: Review of "The Departure of the Soul" – Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, 8-18-2017

Orthodox Tradition of Long Hair and Beards - Catalogue of Good Deeds, 12/21/2016

​Orthodox View of Salvation (versus Protestant) - Fr. Steve Robinson (video with chairs)

Orthodoxy and Feminism, 12-18-2018

Orthodoxy in America Has a Convert Problem, 9-21-2017 

Orthodoxy in the Contemporary World - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

Papal Primacy - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

The Passion of Homosexuality According to St. John Chrysostom

​Patriarch Bartholomew on Union with Rome - Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, 2-1-2014

The Poor:  God's Un-American View of the Poor and Why It Matters - Fr. Stephen Freeman, 11-30-2017

Pope urges to break the "wall of prejudice" with Orthodoxy, 6-28-2021

Pope Francis:  I Seek Communion with Orthodox Churches - Vatican Radio, 11-30-2014

​Pope Leo XIII Encyclical: Socialism, Communism, Nihilism Anathema to Christianity, 12-28-1878

Prayers for the Departed in Orthodoxy, 11-4-2024

Praying for the Dead – No Other Foundation w/Fr. Lawrence Farley, 11-26-2017

Proof That Muslims and Christians Don't Worship the Same God, 9-1-2016 

​Protestant Learns About Greek Orthodoxy - Matt Whitman & The Ten Minute Bible Hour - 2-10-2019

Protestant Learns About Orthodoxy from an Orthodox Priest (Fr. Paul Truebenbach of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church) - Matt Whitman 5-2022

​Protestant Reformation, Viewed from the East, 11-27-2017

​The Reason Love for God and One Another Is Getting Colder, 11-13-2017

Reason Orthodox Christians Cross Themselves from Right to Left, 5-2-2018

​​​Reading the Bible as an Orthodox Christian - Dr Jeannie Constantinou (video)

Religion and Stupidity - American Conservative, 12-3-2016

Restoring the Human Icon: Elder Sophrony and Bio Ethics – Ascent to Mount Sinai 8-10-2017

Rethinking the Burning Question of Cremation - Intellectual Takeout, 12-15-2017

​Returning to Orthodox Community - Sobornost, 4-26-2020

Rock & Sand part 1 - An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformation and Their Teachings with Fr. Josiah Trenham, 6-23-2015

Rock & Sand part 2 - An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformation and Their Teachings with Fr. Josiah Trenham, 8-1-2015

​Role of Cross Processions in Orthodox Christianity - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 8-30-2018

​Russian President Vladimir Putin Rebukes U.S. for Abandoning God and Christian Values by Promoting Homosexuality and Homosexual Marriage - Black Christian News Network One, 1-31-2014

Salvation in Christ - The Orthodox Approach - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware 3-4-2008

Same Gender Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective - Modern Challenges of Faith (video)

Same Sex Blessings, Orthodox Bishop on the same-sex 'blessings' in the Roman Catholic Church, 12-21-2023

Same Sex Blessings, Forbidden Blessings, 12-19-2023

​Same Sex Marriage and Our Future (audio)

Sanctity of Life Q&A - Cremation, Organ Donation, Abortion, Suicide, Autopsy, Marriage, Sexuality - Rev. Dr. Stanley S. Harakas

Santiago Calatrava rebuilds St Nicholas Church on Ground Zero - BBC, 1-7-2015 (video)

Secret Teachings Of All Ages - Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Symbolical Philosophy - Manly P Hall 1928 

​Secrets of Step by Step Prosphora Making - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 12-7-2017

See the Miracle of Holy Fire - Maria Khoury, 4-9-2015

Sola Scriptura vs Holy Tradition; Is There a Difference? - Gabe Martini, 7-10-2014

Scriptural Evidence for the Sacred Nature of Baptism, Chrismation and Communion (OCF)

​Sexual Liberation and the Emergence of Transhumanism - Crisis Magazine, 8-8-2017 

Sexuality and Gender: Response to "Orthodoxy in Dialogue" Open Letter – Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, 9-25-2018

Should Orthodox Christians Let Their Children Associate with Unbelievers?, 8-20-2019

The Slithering Deception of ‘Progressive Christianity,’ 11-13-2017

​Some Things to Know about Your Baptismal Cross. 7-12-2018

Speaking in Tongues; An Orthodox Christian Viewpoint, 11-30-3017

Speaking in Tongues - Our Life In Christ podcast, The Holy Spirit pt 1, 11-06-2006

Fr Thomas Hopko - Speaking the Truth in Love - The Gift, the Gifts & Glossolalia (Speaking in Tongues) 7-10-2011

Speaking in Tongues & Pentacostalism - Faith Encouraged Live - Fr Barnabas Powell, 6-26-2016

Speaking in Tongues & Pentacostalism - Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy, 4-24-2016
Straight Answers About the Orthodox Church (OCF)

​Stressed out over confession? Keep it simple with this advice from a priest, 4-16-2019

Theology, How Should We Study - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware 3-4-2008 (video)

Theotokos (Mary): 7 Questions and 7 Answers on Vimeo, NY & NJ OCA Diocese Bishop Michael, 2012

Toward a Theology on Guardian Angels:  According to the Church Fathers, pt 1 & 2 - Archpriest Nectarios Trevino

Truth vs Myths About The Nativity of Christ, 12-28-2017

Two Surprising Statistics About Orthodox Christianity in American - Seraphim Danckaert, 5-10-2017 

​Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt - Alec Ryrie

Unchanging Gospel in an Ever-Changing Culture - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware (video)

Uncovering the Truth: Head Coverings and Revisionist Biblical Interpretation / OrthoChristian.Com - Fr. John Whiteford, 6-23-2017

​The Unction: Whom Is It For, How to Prepare for It, and What to Do with the Oil, the Candles, and the Grain?, 3-29-2019

​Was Jesus A Socialist? (PragerU VIDEO), 7-6-2019 

Watch Iconographers Transform Walls of Church (video) - Ben Cabe, 2-5-2015

What are the Differences Between Orthodoxy & Roman Catholicism (OCF)

​What Did the Early Christians Think About Abortion?

What Does It Mean to Take Up Our Cross?

What Does Orthodoxy Mean?

What does the Orthodox Church teach about the Afterlife? Part 1, Fr. Bill's Blog 2020

​​What does the Orthodox Church teach about the Afterlife? Part 2, Fr. Bill's Blog 2020

What does the Orthodox Church teach about the Afterlife? Part 3, Fr. Bill's Blog 2020

​​What Has America Done to Christianity? - Sobornost, 2-27-2018

​What is Intercessory Prayer?  

What Is Orthodox Christianity?

What is the Jesus Prayer? (video) - Ben Cabe, 6-11-12015

What Is the Meaning of Domes in Orthodox Architecture?, 1-3-2017 

​What is the Significance of the Iconostasis and Curtain in the Orthodox Christian Church?, 12-11-2017

What John Calvin Really Thought about Icons in the Church

What Orthodox Christians Believe (Nicene-Constantinople Creed with Scriptural citations) - Presbytera Jeannie Constantinou

What Should Orthodox Christians Do before Coming to Church?

​When Did Christians Begin to Make the Sign of the Cross?, 9-7-2018

Where to Arrange Icons at Home: Why the East Is So Important?, 3-31-2019

Why America is in Spiritual Decline - Fr. Seraphim Cardoza (video)

​Why are there two Easters? Orthodox celebrate this Sunday, 4-7-2018

Why Do Some People Leave the Orthodox Church?, 9-25-2018

​Why Do the Orthodox Baptize Infants?, 5-31-2019

​Why Do Orthodox Christians have a Closed Communion Table?

Why Do Orthodox Christians kiss the hand of a bishop or priest? - The Catalog of St. Elisabeth Convent, 8-12-2017 

​Why Do Orthodox Christians pray facing East and why does the priest not face the people when he prays? - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 6-8-2017

Why Do Some Christians Celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

​Why Do We Honor the Mother of God?  Because the Bible Says So, part 1 - Fr Bill's Blog

Why Do We Honor the Mother of God?  Because the Bible Says So, part 2 - Fr Bill's Blog

Why Do We Light Oil Lamps and Candles In Front of Relics and Icons? - The Catalog of Good Deeds, 12-5-2017

Why I Haven't Spoken Out on Gay Marriage--Till Now - Federicka Mathewes-Green, 4-22-2015

Why is Christianity losing members in America? Why is Eastern Orthodoxy losing members? YOU give the answers! - Fr Bill's Blog, 7-8-2022

Why is Greek Orthodox Easter today? Tom Hanks' wife explains - Greg Garrison, 4-2-2015

​​Why is Orthodox Easter (Pascha) on a different day?

"Why Is Theotokos Honored More than All Saints?" and Other Most Common Questions about the Mother of God, 9-21-2018

Why Mary Is the Most Important Human Figure in Christianity, 8-15-2019

​Why More Honorable than the Cherubim?, 7-13-2018

Why Orthodox Christian Nations Remain Stuck, 4-26-2018

​Why Orthodox Christianity Should not Change with the Course of Time, 1-23-2017

​Why Orthodox Christians Stand During Divine Services, 01-28-2017

Why Orthodox Easter is Later Than the Catholic One - Guest Greek USA Reporter, 4-5-2015

​Why Orthodox Light Candles (video), 06-2017

Why Orthodoxy is Not a Religion - Fr. Lawrence Farley, 3-27-2019

Why Orthodoxy Is not Just a Religion and How We Can Bear Our Cross, 3-31-2019

Why Reuniting the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Roman Church Is Nearly Impossible - Fr. Thomas Hopko

​Why Rioters Will Eventually Turn Their Rage On Christianity If Not Stopped, Federalist, 6-30-2020

Why The 3 Faces of The Antichrist Will be Revealed on December 29, 2016 - Brother Nathanael (video)

Why The Antichrist Will Come on December 29, 2016 - ​Brother Nathanael (video)

Why The Antichrist Will Reveal Himself 100% on December 29, 2016 - ​Brother Nathanael (video)

Why the Orthodox Honor Mary - Fr. Stephen Freeman, 7-30-2015

Why Celebrate the Entrance of Mary into the Temple - Fr. Thomas Hopko

Why Wedding Rings On The Right Hand?, 12-28-2010

Will You Be Left Behind?: The Rapture in Light of Ancient Christianity, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick 11-13-2014 (audio) 

​Will the Real St. Valentine Please Stand Up? - Bryce Buffenbarger, 2-12-2016  

25 Things Wrong with the American Eastern Orthodox Church - Blair Naso, 1-26-2015

You Need to Get Used to Orthodoxy: an Interview with Orthodox Priest Fr. Thomas Dietz, 7-11-2017    or here



SUGGESTED READING [BOOKS (many titles now available as ebooks - see the Retail page for resources)]


Note: Often there are many sources for the same title and not just the one I have linked up below. Search for the title and shop around and be sure you are getting the latest edition/version of the title.  Also, many titles are available in ebook form.  Here is a simple and free eBook format converter, if needed.


A Second Look at the Second Coming: Sorting Through the Speculations - T.L. Frazier

An Eastern Orthodox Response to Evangelical Claims - Fr. Paul O'Callaghan

Becoming Orthodox - Fr. Peter Gillquist

Blueprints for the Little Church: Creating an Orthodox Home

Coming Home: Why Protestant Clergy are Becoming Orthodox - Fr. Peter Gillquist

The Church Tradition, Scripture, Truth and Christian Life:  Some Heresies of Evangelicalism and an Orthodox Response - Hierodeacon Gregory

Dancing Alone:  The Quest of Orthodox Faith in the Age of False Religion - Frank Schaeffer

Eastern Orthodoxy Compared:  Her Main Teaching & Significant Differences with Roman Catholicism & the Major Protestant Denominations - Fr. Constantine Matthews

The Faith:  Understanding Orthodox Christianity - Clark Carlton

From Baptist to Byzantium - Fr. James Early

From Darkness to Light:  How One Became a Christian in the Early Church - Anne Field

How Does Orthodoxy Differ from the Western Denominations? - Metropolitan Anthony of Kiev & Galich

Interpreting Orthodoxy to Western Church Traditions - Nissiotis

Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith & Life - Fr. Anthony Coniaris

Introducing the Orthodox Church: Study Guide - Fr. Anthony Coniaris

Journeys to Orthodoxy - Thomas Doulis

Know the Faith: A Handbook for Orthodox Christians and Inquirers - Rev. Fr. Michael Shanbour

The Life:  Orthodox Doctrine of Salvation - Clark Carlton

​Light From the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition - James R. Payton, Jr.

​The Living God: A Catechism for the Christian Faith (2-volume set) - Olivier Clement

My Exodus from Roman Catholicism - Bishop Paul De Ballester

Nearly Orthodox: On Being a Modern Woman in an Ancient Tradition - Angela Doll Carson

NETS (New English Translation of the Septuagint, updated June 2014)

No Faith is More Beautiful than the Christian Faith - Bishop Daniko and Hieromonk Amfilihije

One Flew Over the Onion Dome - Fr. Joseph David Huneycutt

Orthodox Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - Fr. Marc Dunaway

​The Orthodox Church - John Meyendorff

Orthodox Christian Beliefs - Stanley S. Harakas

Orthodox Christian Beliefs About the Bible - Stanley S. Harakas

Orthodox Christian Catechism (book & workbook) - Orthodox Christian Prison Ministries

Orthodox Christianity Vol I: The History and Canonical Structure of the Orthodox Church - Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev)

Orthodox Christianity Vol II: Doctrine and Teaching of the Orthodox Church - Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev)

Orthodox Christianity Vol III: The Architecture, Icons and Music of the Orthodox Church - Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev)

Salvo Mag - Unpragmatic Thoughts by Robin Phillips

The Orthodox Church - Katherine Clark

The Orthodox Church - Timothy Ware

The Orthodox Church:  455 Questions and Answers - Stanley S. Harakas

The Orthodox Church:  A Well-Kept Secret - Fr. George Nicozisin

The Orthodox Church from A to Z: A Handbook for Orthodox Christians

The Orthodox Way - Bishop Kallistos Ware

Orthodox Faith (4-volume set) - Thomas Hopko

Orthodox Worship - Benjamin Williams

Orthodoxy:  A Creed for Today - Anthony M. Coniaris

Orthodoxy: Catholicism Without Additions, Protestantism Without Subtractions - Rev. Fr. Dan Suciu

Orthodoxy & Catholicism: What are the DIfferences? - Fr. Theodore Pulcini

Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy, 2nd Ed. - Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Orthodoxy for the Non-Orthodox - John Garvey

Orthodoxy Revisited: Contrasting the Faith & Practice of the Eastern Orthodox Church with Evangelical Doctrine - Robert Lloyd Arnold

Our Faith: A Popular Presentation of Orthodox Christianity - New Life Publications

Our Path: A Popular Presentation of Orthodox Christianity - New Life Publications

Our Worship: A Popular Presentation of Orthodox Christianity - New Life Publications

Paradise and Utopia 4-Book Set (The Age of Paradise, The Age of Division, The Age of Utopia, and The Age of Nihilism) - John Strickland's outstanding series on the history of Christianity - EXCELLENT!!!

Preaching Another Christ: An Orthodox View of Evangelicalism

Protestant Fundamentalist Thought:  Its Incompatibility with the Orthodox Ethos - Fr. James Thornton

Rock and Sand: An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestand Reformers and Their Teachings - Archpriest Josiah Tenham    VIDEO pt 1 here     VIDEO pt 2 here

Seeds of the Word:  Orthodox Thinking on Other Religions - John Garvey

These Things We Believe: An Orthodox Catechism for Our Times - Fr. Deacon Ezra Ham

Toward the Authentic Church - Thomas Doulis

The Truth of Our Faith, Vol. 1 - Elder Cleopa of Romania

The Truth of Our Faith, Vol. 2 - Elder Cleopa of Romania

The Truth:  What Every Roman Catholic Should Know About the Orthodox Church - Clark Carlton

The Way: An Introduction to the Orthodox Christian Faith (1 CD & 4 DVDs)

The Way:  What Every Protestant Should Know About the Orthodox Church - Clark Carlton

Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells - Matthew Gallatin

Turnaround: The Orthodox Purpose Driven Life - Forrest Long

​Under One Roof – Uniting the Orthodox Church of America  - Orthodox Christian Laity

We Came, We Saw, We Converted:  The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America - Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

What About the Non-Orthodox?  Fr. David Tillman

What Every Orthodox Christian Should Know - Fr. George Nicozisin

What is the Orthodox Church?  A Brief Overview of Orthodoxy - Fr. Marc Dunaway

What the Church Fathers Say About, Vol. 1 & 2 - Fr. George W. Grube

(More) What the Church Fathers Say About, Vol. 3 - Fr. George W. Grube

Welcome to the Orthodox Church - Federica Mathewes-Green

When You Pray: A Practical Guide to an Orthodox Life of Prayer - L. Joseph Letendre

Why Can't an Orthodox Christian Wear a Red Thread on His Hand? - Fr. Andrew Chizhenko, Catalog of Good Deeds



WHY I/WE BECAME AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN - CONVERSION TESTIMONIALS


Journey to Orthodoxy homepage

Protecting Veil - Why Did You Become Orthodox? YouTube page

Becoming Orthodox (How to join the #Orthodox Church), 12-29-2023


​An Interview with the Mormon Who Converted to Orthodox Christianity

"Bible Answer Man" Hank Hanegraaff: I’ve Put Everything on the Line to Acquire the Treasure of Orthodoxy

Evangelicals Come Home to the Orthodox Church

Frank Schaeffer, Author

Brother Nathanael

Daria part 1

Daria part 2

Fr. Constantine, Roman Catholic Priest

Fr. Peter Gillquist (audio)

​Fr. Seraphim Majmudar, From Hinduism to Orthodoxy (audio)

Islam: Through the Heart and Mind of a Convert to Orthodox Christianity, Part 1 of 2

Islam: Through the Heart and Mind of a Convert to Orthodox Christianity, Part 2 of 2

Ivan Liskov (former Neo-Pagan says, "Everything That Neo-Pagans Said About Christianity Was A Lie"

Jasmyne Theodora: From Atheist to Orthodox Christian | My Testimony, 8-21-2022

Jasmyne Theodora: Why I'm ORTHODOX Christian | Orthodox Christianity Explained, 9-13-2023
​​Joseph Olivares

Journey to Orthodoxy:  Episcopal Congregation Embraces Orthodox Faith    Podcast

    Interview

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware - My Journey to the Orthodox Church 3-5-2008 (video)

Muslim Clerics Leave Islam, Embrace Christianity

Rod Dreher - The Joy of Orthodoxy

​Russian Priest Explains Why Westerners Are Converting To Orthodox Christianity

Robin Phillips

Ryan Hunter's "Why Orthodoxy?" 11-part series at Proslavie

Upon This Rock:  Protestant Believers Embrace the Orthodox Christian Faith, a Clark M. Gorder Digital Documentary Film starring Betsy B.

Why Am I Orthodox?  The Story of a Journey - Ron Stockett, 6-30-2014


​​Conversions gradually transforming Orthodox Christianity - Baltimore Sun, 6-24-2017 




Resources for Orthodox Christians and those interested in the Ancient Faith