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The Orthodox Church: New Edition (Paperback)

by Timothy Ware (Author) "'All Protestants are Crypto-Papists,' wrote the Russian theologian Alexis Khomiakov to an English friend in the year 1846..." (more)
Key Phrases: stricter group, outward organization, new martyrs, Holy Spirit, Roman Catholic, Russian Church (more...)

4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (74 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Since its first publication thirty years ago, Timothy Ware's book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy continues to be a subject of enormous interest among Western Christians, and the author believes that an understanding of its standpoint is necessary before the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches can be reunited. He explains the Orthodox views on such widely ranging matters as ecumenical councils, sacraments, free will, purgatory, the papacy and the relation between the different Orthodox churches.

About the Author
Timothy Ware, His Excellency the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, was Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at Oxford University until his retirement in 2001.

Product Details

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 2 edition (June 1, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0140146563
ISBN-13: 978-0140146561
Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (74 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,158 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#3 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Orthodoxy
#70 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Church History

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
'All Protestants are Crypto-Papists,' wrote the Russian theologian Alexis Khomiakov to an English friend in the year 1846. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stricter group, outward organization, new martyrs, seven councils

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Holy Spirit, Roman Catholic, Russian Church, Mother of God, Ecumenical Council, Jesus Prayer, Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox Christians, Soviet Union, Jesus Christ, Patriarch of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Holy Trinity, Russian Orthodox, Gregory Palamas, John of Damascus, Mount Athos, Body of Christ, North America, Second World War, Byzantine Empire, Church of Greece, John Chrysostom, Roman Empire, Greek Orthodox

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 100 books:

The Orthodox Church by Sergius Bulgakov on 6 pages
A Treasury of Russian Spirituality by G. P. Fedotov on 6 pages
The Eastern Schism (Oxford University Press Academic Monograph Reprints) by Steven Runciman on 4 pages
The Photian Schism by Dvornik on page 55, page 56, and Back Matter
The Church Is One by Alexei S. Khomiakov on page 239, page 243, and Back Matter

See all 100 books this book cites

100 books cite this book:

Beyond Salvation: Eastern Orthodoxy and Classical Pentecostalism on Becoming Like Christ (Paternoster Theological Monographs) (Paternoster Theological Monographs) by Edmund J. Rybarczyk on 14 pages
The Domostroi: Rules for Russian Households in the Time of Ivan the Terrible by Carolyn Johnston Pouncy on 12 pages
The Great Church in Captivity: A Study of the Patriarchate of Constantinople from the Eve of the Turkish Conquest to the Greek War of Independence (Cambridge Paperback Library) by Steven Runciman on 8 pages
The Christian Life in the Early Church and Today: According to St. Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians by Barbara Pappas on 5 pages
Mount Athos: Renewal in Paradise by Graham Speake on 5 pages

See all 100 books citing this book

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

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	82% buy the item featured on this page: The Orthodox Church: New Edition 4.5 out of 5 stars (74) $11.05
	7% buy The Orthodox Way 4.7 out of 5 stars (34) $11.52
	6% buy The Orthodox Study Bible: Ancient Christianity Speaks to Today's World 4.1 out of 5 stars (56) $31.49
	3% buy Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith 3.9 out of 5 stars (53) $10.85

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Customer Reviews

74 Reviews

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Comprehensible and Outstanding Introduction, May 14, 1998

By	Kelli - See all my reviews

This is the best single-volume introduction to Eastern Christianity currently available. Bishop Ware's approach covers virtually all aspects of the Eastern Church -- history, theology, sacramentality, church organization, and the Orthodox diaspora with a special emphasis on rendering Orthodoxy comprehensible to Western Christian readers. Ware's approach is very ecumenical, and he frankly and even-handedly addresses the issues that unite and divide the Christian East and West. Because of his own dual background as a Westerner (he teaches at Oxford) who chose to become Orthodox, Ware is particularly well-situated to explain the wondrous and beautiful mysteries of Eastern Christianity to Westerners. While the book is in the nature of a broad overview, it actually covers the issues addressed in an impressive level of depth. The bibliography is also a great starting point for further reading and research, broken down helpfully by topic. This book is a must-read for anyone wishing to acqaint themselves with the riches of the Eastern Christian tradition.

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58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Magnificent Intro to the Orthodox Faith", February 8, 2001

By	Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

As a Non-Orthodox Christian, I found Timothy Ware's edition of the "Orthodox Church" very helpful in coming to glimpse with the historical and doctrinal aspects of the church.

Part One of this book displays a well-defined and compact discourse concerning the Early Church, the Church of the Seven Councils, and the struggling Church in a state of siege and persecution.

Part Two makes evident the faith and worship of the Orthodox Church. In this section, Timothy Ware discusses the principles behind Orthodox Liturgy, the Sacraments, and God's relations with the individuals that constitute the invisible body of the Church. As a reader I discovered the the little things that engendered big friction between the East and the West. Also I found valuable information about the rise of communist Russia, the internal and external dissent between Orthodox Churches during this period, and the prevalence of a faith that has remained nearly unchanged throughout the ups and downs of its long history.

So I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Church History, or for someone who simply wishes to look at the Orthodox Church from the pen of an Orthodox writter.

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37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Number ONE book on Eastern Orthodoxy, January 31, 2004

By	Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

"The Orthodox Church," by Timothy (Bishop Kallistos) Ware, is (and has been for decades) the number one book in the English language on the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. It appears on virtually all recommended reading lists and bibliographies. (Not surprisingly, the number two book is "The Orthodox Way," by the same author.)

The cover states that this title is "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." I couldn't have said it better myself.

This volume is divided into two sections. Part one covers the history of the Church from the beginnings at Pentecost through Byzantium (the Seven Councils and the Great Schism), then the conversion of the Slavs, the Church under Islam, the Russian Church, and on into the twentieth century. Especially sobering is the author's summary of events surrounding the eastern European Orthodox Churches under communism. Coverage of the growth of the Orthodox Church in North America helps explain the current state of things.

Part two discusses faith and worship and covers such important topics as: Holy Tradition, God and humankind, the theology and structure of the Church, and detailed explanations of various components of Orthodox worship (including sacraments, feasts, fasts and private prayer). The final chapter, entitled "The Orthodox Church and the Reunion of Christians," explains various views within the Church concerning the ecumenical movement and the World Council of Churches, and highlights dialogues with various church bodies including Roman Catholics, Old Catholics, Anglicans, and other Eastern Christian bodies such as the Coptic Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church.

An extensive, annotated list of further reading, organized by topics, such as "The Early Church and Byzantium," "Orthodox Theology," and "Liturgical Worship," will be extremely helpful for those who wish to dig more deeply into specific areas of interest.

While this may indeed be the definitive introductory book on Eastern Orthodoxy, it would certainly be more accessible to readers with some background in the Bible, Church history, or with some experience in liturgical churches. As the author suggests at one point, there is no better introduction to Orthodoxy than to actually attend an Orthodox Divine Liturgy. Those who have attended Orthodox services (or who have been members of the Church for a while) are likely to be those who are most drawn to this excellent book.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good on History
Overall this is a good book. As far as teaching about what the church believes, I would recommend others instead. Read more

Published 23 days ago by Ellen Fournier

5.0 out of 5 stars The Orthodox Church
A beautifully written book about the history of this ancient church. It is honestly written and honestly portrayed. Read more

Published 25 days ago by Claudia L. Collins

5.0 out of 5 stars Great History of the Church
Great succint composition detailing the history of the orthodox church and their beliefs, especially in relation to the Catholics. An excellent resource.

Published 4 months ago by J. Henzel

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest presentation of Orthodox history and beliefs
I echo the sentiment of many readers that this must be the best intro to Eastern Orthodoxy to date - its history and beliefs - in an honest, even-handed and concise one-volume... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Donner C. S. Tan

5.0 out of 5 stars The Orthodox Church
An absolutely fascinating and enlightening book about the Orthodox Church. It filled in many low spots in my understanding of Orthodoxy. Well done!

Published 12 months ago by Daniel M. Hrnack

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on Orthodoxy
As a person who recently converted to Orthodox Christianity, I am continually amazed at how invisible the "Eastern" Church is to those in the "West. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Jonathan Golding

4.0 out of 5 stars Orthodox Church History
I think Timothy Ware (Bishop Kallistos) presents a good concise history of Eastern Orthodoxy, as well as a balanced view of the "The Great Schism. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Ronald R. Windham Jr.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must read for anyone willing to find the true Christianity
A Must read for anyone willing to find the true Christianity. Reveals and explains the Orthodox Church the true and holy one settled by Christ and continued by the apostles and... Read more

Published 14 months ago by Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent study of the Orthodox Church
I think this is an excellent book for those like me who want to know more about the Orthodox Church. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Matias Panelo

5.0 out of 5 stars The Orthodox Church made easy
Metropolitan Kallistos Ware's The Orthodox Church is a thorough explanation on the often complicated subject of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Read more

Published 17 months ago by D. Mark

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