Anyone here an Orthodox Christian? I need some help...

GeddyBass2112 · 04-13-2011, 04:36 PM

I'm asking because I'm becoming more and more interested in Orthodoxy, but don't know where I should even begin to begin studying.

So any sort of suggested reading, informational websites and other material would be good. My major issue is that a lot of it is in Greek (which I'm not too good at reading) or Russian (which I can't read) and English resources are hard to find for me at least.

levio_sah · 04-16-2011, 07:15 PM

Definitely not Orthodox, but good luck brother.

~~pooka~~ · 04-16-2011, 07:41 PM

honestly the best comprehensive reading on orthodoxy is in russian. my advice is to find an ortodox parish and become involved.

GeddyBass2112 · 04-17-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooka

honestly the best comprehensive reading on orthodoxy is in russian. my advice is to find an ortodox parish and become involved.

This is where I start having problems...I don't live within a REASONABLE distance, at least for me to travel without a car, of an Orthodox church.

dankrsta · 04-20-2011, 02:57 PM

Well, I'm from the country where Orthodox Christianity is a primary religion, so I'm obviously familiar with it, but more from the cultural and historical side, especially since I've spent considerable time in the past studying Byzantine iconography and symbolism.

As for the websites, I see there are many in English, but since I haven't explored them, I can't really recommend a good one. I'd suggest a good old fashioned research in a library. There's a better chance that some university library has some works by Church Fathers, for example. That is if such library is at your reach.

So, I don't know if you're interested in Orthodoxy from scholarly side or to practice it. But, either way, Early Church Fathers, with the emphasis on Eastern ones, are the beginning, whether you approach it from historical and philosophical side or from theological side. (being familiar with the Bible and New Testament goes without saying). I'll just mention some names, but I can't really remember their works, 'cause I mainly used them as references and *watched their faces on infinite mosaic and fresco programs*, but I'm sure you're gonna manage

: Origen, Athanasius of Alexandria, Clement of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa etc. Then you have Byzantine theology: Maximus the Confessor, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, John of Damascus, Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas etc.

So, I have no idea if you can find English translation of their works, but now you know what you're looking for, at least. It must be something translated. The best bet is Gregory Palamas, cause he kind of became fashionable in the West, or so I've heard. That's probably because of Hesychasm, a form of deep prayer, contemplation, almost like a meditation. And we all know how fashionable meditation is.

Well, I hope this somewhat helps.

04-13-2011, 04:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
GeddyBass2112 Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Posts: 165	Anyone here an Orthodox Christian? I need some help... I'm asking because I'm becoming more and more interested in Orthodoxy, but don't know where I should even begin to begin studying. So any sort of suggested reading, informational websites and other material would be good. My major issue is that a lot of it is in Greek (which I'm not too good at reading) or Russian (which I can't read) and English resources are hard to find for me at least. __________________ Cello fund: $300/$750.

04-20-2011, 02:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
dankrsta ... Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,776	Well, I'm from the country where Orthodox Christianity is a primary religion, so I'm obviously familiar with it, but more from the cultural and historical side, especially since I've spent considerable time in the past studying Byzantine iconography and symbolism. As for the websites, I see there are many in English, but since I haven't explored them, I can't really recommend a good one. I'd suggest a good old fashioned research in a library. There's a better chance that some university library has some works by Church Fathers, for example. That is if such library is at your reach. So, I don't know if you're interested in Orthodoxy from scholarly side or to practice it. But, either way, Early Church Fathers, with the emphasis on Eastern ones, are the beginning, whether you approach it from historical and philosophical side or from theological side. (being familiar with the Bible and New Testament goes without saying). I'll just mention some names, but I can't really remember their works, 'cause I mainly used them as references and watched their faces on infinite mosaic and fresco programs, but I'm sure you're gonna manage : Origen, Athanasius of Alexandria, Clement of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa etc. Then you have Byzantine theology: Maximus the Confessor, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, John of Damascus, Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas etc. So, I have no idea if you can find English translation of their works, but now you know what you're looking for, at least. It must be something translated. The best bet is Gregory Palamas, cause he kind of became fashionable in the West, or so I've heard. That's probably because of Hesychasm, a form of deep prayer, contemplation, almost like a meditation. And we all know how fashionable meditation is. Well, I hope this somewhat helps. __________________ Last.fm

04-16-2011, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
levio_sah Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: A vintage pad on the west side. Think Febreze, candelabras. Posts: 38	Definitely not Orthodox, but good luck brother.

04-16-2011, 07:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~pooka~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: the local county jail Posts: 133	honestly the best comprehensive reading on orthodoxy is in russian. my advice is to find an ortodox parish and become involved.