Eastern Orthodox Resources

site map | about us | ordering | home

Tapestry of Grace

An integrated, classical approach to educating your children.

Forum

Statement of Faith Production Calendar Form a co-op! Fan Mail FAQ Finding Books Samples

Resources for Greek Orthodox Families

We are happy to list books that you have found helpful. The author of Tapestry of Grace takes no responsibility for the content of any books listed here.

The Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy by Alexander Schmemann, ISBN 0-91386-47-8 St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1977. Originally written for Orthodox readers, but has been used "as a general introduction to the Orthodox Church and her history for Western Christians." Would probably be useful at the high school level.

For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy, by Alexander Schmemann, ISBN 0-913836-08-7. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1982. "This book was originally written to serve as an outline for students in a discussion of the Christian 'worldview'. It suggests an approach to the world and to man's life in it that stems from the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Church." Would be appropriate for "worldview" studies at the 8th grade level and up.

The Christian East and the Rise of the Papacy: The Church 1071-1453 AD, by Aristeides Papadakis and John Meyendorff. ISBN 0-88141-057-8. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1994 (Part of the Church in History Series- other volumes include: Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions: The Church 450-680 AD.)

Link to: St. Vlad's Bookstore.

The next two resources were submitted by Susan. The comments are hers. Click here to email her with questions.

The Orthodox Church New Edition (2nd) by Timothy Ware, ISBN 0-14-014656-3. Penguin Books, 1997. In Part 1 it describes the history of the Eastern Church and in Part 2 he explains the beliefs & worship of the Orthodox Church today. In the latter portion he considers the possibilities of reunion between East & West.
On the Upbringing of Children by Bishop Irenaius. No ISBN. Order from: St. Xenia Skete, P.O. Box 260, Wildwood, CA 96076-0260, 1995. Topics included in these 10 sermons include building the foundations of godliness in a child's soul, identifying and overcoming the first signs of vices, and encouraging the growth of virtues. He emphasizes throughout the parents' responsibility to lead an active Christian spiritual life, as children learn more by example than by precept. The lectures are not Eastern Orthodox specific but would fit for every family. I read & was impressed with the ideas contained here so much I wanted to learn if the author gave lectures. When I discovered the the author gave these sermons in the Russian city of Ekaterinburg in 1901. Some things are timeless.

Anna submits the following suggestions and has a comment.

I have stumbled on a few resources which look to be written in a scholarly way. These books are not authored by an Orthodox Christian, but by a Roman Catholic by the name of Belloc. Three of his books which we will be using
this year are as follows:

How the Reformation Happened, ISBN: 0-89555-465-8
Characters of the Reformation, ISBN: 0-89555-466-6
The Crisis of Civilization, ISBN: 0-89555-462-3