Customer Reviews

The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox

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This amazing collection of "daily Scripture readings and commentary for Orthodox Christians" was given to me recently. At first I was a bit intimidated by its size, but I'm slowly falling into a habit of reading it, and am inspired often to keep on the road to salvation.

I often use this as a companion with the Orthodox Study Bible, as I've grown accustomed to the New King James used there, and this volume uses a variety of translations. The main benefit to this one is that all the Scripture readings and commentary are in one place.

Although it took me a while to find my way around--as I'm a recent convert and still adjusting to the liturgical year--now I like the way it's organized according to the Church calendar.

Here you will find spiritually deep commentaries from writers like St. Symeon the New Theologian, St. Issac of Syria, St. John Chrysostom, St. Maximos the Confessor, St. Ambrose of Milan, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. John of Kronstadt, Bede the Venerable, St. Basil the Great and St. Athanasius of Alexandria, to name a few.

This is an amazing volume, and one that I would hope more Orthodox Christians make a regular part of their lives. It would also be of benefit to non-Orthodox who are interested in a more historical and ancient commentary on the Scriptures.

Simply put, an astonishing piece of work which belongs in every Orthodox home. Arranged according to the liturgical calendar, the readings from the Epistles and Gospels are given for each day of the year. For each of these readings, a pertinent selection from one of the Fathers (St. John Chrysostom figures prominently), frequently a direct commentary on the passage, is provided. When we look today at the huge quantity of lives of saints, writings of the Fathers, and other literature that is available on the spiritual life, we tend to forget that many of those early saints had only limited access to a Bible and few -- if any -- other writings during their years of spiritual growth. The Bible is, of course, the ultimate source of spiritual teaching and is read diligently by serious seekers of the Faith. Johanna Manley has compiled a truly wonderful guidebook for daily scripture readings which bring together Scripture and the teachings of the Holy Fathers about those Scriptures and their application to our lives.

This is a enhanching daily reading for the seeker of truth and growth in the enlightenment of our orthodox faith.The holy fathers gave us through their daily struggles to preserve the true faith,a complete path of shining pearls of wisdom.When you find such pearls they are priceless.If this is read daily, it mysticly keeps you on the road to eternity.

This is an excellent resource for Byzantine Catholics and Orthodox Eastern rites. It is also a good resource for Roman Catholics with excellent readings from the early Church Fathers on the daily readings for the liturgical year. It follows the Eastern rite calendar, so if you are Roman Catholic you have to use the guide in the back. But the book is a real treasure for those interested in deepening their understanding and love of the Scriptures.

The book purchased is a terrific summary of Christian readings for each day of the
week combining Scripture and the Fathers of the Church. Being of the Eastern Church this is especially meaningful to me and to those with whom this book is shared.