Our parish has a small library for the spiritual edification of the faithful. These books are hand picked by Fr Aleksey specially for you.
​The library operates completely on an honor system, that is we don't track book sign outs. 

We have three simple rules:
  1. Take a book.
  2. Read it.
  3. Return it.

Please note: if you would like to donate a book, see Father Aleksey first. Do not simply drop it off by the bookshelf.

We also have a Kids' Corner, which includes a number of titles.
​
Currently our library consists of the following titles:
Bibles:
  1. King James Version (KJV)
  2. New King James Version (NKJV)
  3. Revised Standard Version (RSV)
  4. New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
  5. Библия, Новый Перевод на Русский Язык (New Russian Translation)
Books in English:​
  • A~B~C
  • D~E
  • F~G
  • H~I~J
  • K~L~M
  • N~O
  • P~Q~R
  • S~T
  • U~V~W
  • X~Y~Z
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Ages of the Spiritual Life by Paul Evdokimov
How does one discern the truth? Many paths are turned inward, are egoistic, Gnostic and self-serving. Others are contradictory in their demands, confusing to seekers, dishonestly promising ecstatic experience with little effort. Evdokimov draws from the great current of Christian spiritual life in the West and in particular the Eastern tradition, revealing how modern mankind may recover the voices of silence, prayer and contemplation. Ages of the Spiritual Life presents a different view of the spiritual life. Paul Evdokimov's spirituality is open to God, the world and to the neighbor. It is the spirituality of the Great Tradition of the Church, but refreshingly new, rooted in the Bible and liturgy but entwined with the everyday life of home, school and work, a spirituality that is truly "for the life of the world." Models and teachers are the desert fathers and mothers and the monastics. Evdokimov's gift is the idea of an "interiorized monasticism" for all. The true pattern of the spiritual life for us in our time means incorporating into our lives the basics of the monastics' life: prayers, liturgy, scripture, work, love and care for the neighbor.
Alexander Men, a Witness for Contemporary Russia (a Man for our Times) by Yves Hamant
The definitive biography of a Russian priest, murdered with an axe in a forest on the way to church. In photo album format, with great narrative detail about the life and works of this amazing man. Depicts major events in this martyr's life, with over 100 pictures. His influence on contemporary Russia is unmistakeable. A friend of Solshenitsyn and Sakharov, his martyrdom is not to be forgotten. He drew hundreds to his lectures and sermons from all walks of life.
All the Fullness of God by Fr Thomas Hopko
The essays collected in this book deal with a wide variety of subjects God and man in Orthodox theological perspective, the Bible, ecumenism, the Eastern Rite, children in the Church, the American religious mentality, witness and service in Christian life but they all have the same theme. They witness to the conviction that human beings are made to be filled with all the fullness of God. They claim that divine fullness dwells bodily in Jesus Christ, and that this fullness may be found by God s creatures in the Church of Christ, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:23). They therefore are about life in the Church, and the life of the Church: God s own life given in abundance in Christ and the spirit as the life of the world.
The Ascetic of Love by Nun Gavrilia
Inspirational account of one of the twentieth century's great ascetics and missionary of love.
Becoming a Healing Presence by Albert Rossi
In order to become a healing presence for others, we must first be healed ourselves through an active relationship with the great Healer, Christ. Drawing on the teachings of the Fathers and saints of the Church, Dr. Rossi gently points the way toward deepening our love for God and for each other so that others may experience Christ through us.
Becoming Icons of Christ by Mother Raphaela
When we find ourselves in our times of passion, or when we are faced with the passion of others, we have only one way open to us to respond appropriately...we ask Christ to enter our lives, to teach us to pray, and Himself to come, live, and pray within us. This way of entering into the life and Passion of Christ is the only way to His Resurrection our own personal transfiguration by the life of God. And only as we are thus transfigured will we become icons not icons of our righteousness and suffering, nor of our own strength, truth and courage, but in cons of the love, the power, and the peace of God.
A Beginner's Guide to Prayer, the Orthodox way to grow closer to God by Michael Keiser
This is a book for those of us who are struggling to establish an effective prayer life. Written neither for monastics or scholars, "A Beginner's Guide to Prayer" speaks to the average man or woman on the street who desires a deeper relationship with God but is unsure how or where to begin. Drawing from nearly 2000 years of Orthodox spiritual wisdom, the author offers warm, practical, pastoral advice whose genius is to be found in its homespun simplicity and straightforward style.If you want to make prayer a meaningful and regular part of your life, A Beginner's Guide to Prayer will help set you on your way. But be careful! Prayer can be habit forming!
A Beginner's Guide to Spirituality, the Orthodox path to a deeper relationship with God by Michael Keiser
Spirituality is in! Monks go platinum with recordings of chant, and books on self-help spirituality overflow supermarket bookracks. But what is the meaning of true spirituality? Aren’t we all a little confused? Genuine spirituality keeps us in balance with God, our neighbor, and the material world.
Becoming Orthodox by Father Peter E. Gillquist
This is the story of a handful of courageous men and their congregations who risked stable occupations, security and the approval of life-long friends to be obedient to God's call. It is also the story of every believer who is searching for the Church. Where Christ is Lord. Where holiness, human responsibility, and the sovereignty of God are preached. Where fellowship is more than a covered-dish supper in the church basement. And where fads and fashions take a backseat to apostolic worship and doctrine. This is a book, for Orthodox Christians, looking for ways to bring new life to their own Churches. It's also a book for those completely dissatisfied - those on their own search. And it's a book for Orthodox Christians, looking for renewal.
Children in the Church Today, an Orthodox Perspective by Sister Magdalena
These reflections from "Children in the Church" are based on a series of informal talks given to Orthodox Christian parents at the Monastery of St John the Baptist, Essex, England. In essence, they encompass many aspects of Christian life: marriage and the Christian family, prayer in the Christian home, the example of Christian parents, the Christian education of children, liturgical and spiritual life, leisure time and social life, and Christian life in the teen years. Sister Magdalen's major emphasis is that "if children are conceived, born, and brought up surrounded by prayer and love, they will grow up as spiritual persons and thus fulfill their human vocation".
Christ in the Psalms by Patrick Henry Reardon
The Psalms run like a golden thread through the beautiful garment of Orthodox worship. In addition to inspiring the public prayer of the church, the Psalms are an indispensable part of the private devotions of all who seek a closer relationship with God.Most important, however, the Psalms point toward the ultimate liberation of humanity from sin, death and despair through Jesus Christ.Father Pat Reardon, drawing on his long experience as an Episcopal, and then as a priest in the Orthodox Church, has produced a work of depth and devotion. He rightly understands that one cannot truly probe the deep meaning of the Psalms unless one understands them in the light of the redemption brought by Christ...He provides the fresh and intensely personal insights of a pastor to the study of the Book of Psalms.
Coming Home, Why Protestant Clergy are Becoming Orthodox by Peter E. Gillquist
Eighteen former Protestant leaders tell about their journey of "Coming Home" to the Orthodox Christian Faith.
The Educating Icon, teaching wisdom and holiness in the Orthodox way by Anton C. Vrame
A way of thinking about education in the Church from the perspective of the art, theology, and liturgical and devotional use of icons. Through "iconic catechesis" each person is nurtured to grow into the likeness of God. With color plates.
Elder Macarius of Optina by Fr Leonid Kavelin
This book is a translation of the prima vita written by one of his closest disciples Archimandrite Leonid Kavelin--a man of a great literary talent. The third volume of The Optina Elders Series contains rare memoirs discovered years later shedding light on the mystical aspect of this spiritual director of uncommon caliber--a modern Church Father who has left a legacy of deeply inspiring letters.
Elder's Diadem by Dali Mshvenieradze
Empress Athenais-Eudocia, Women of Byzantium by Jeanne Tsatsos
The Eucharist by Fr Alexander Schmemann
The Eucharist is the crowning achievement of the well-known liturgical scholar, Alexander Schmemann. It reflects his entire life experience and thoughts on the Divine Liturgy, the Church's central act of self-realization. Father Alexander Schmemann (+1983) was a prolific writer, brilliant lecturer, and dedicated pastor.
Everyday Saints and Other Stories by Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov
Open this book and you will discover a wondrous, enigmatic, remarkably beautiful, yet absolutely real world. Peer into the mysterious Russian soul, where happiness reigns no matter what life may bring.
Everywhere Present, Christianity in a one-storey universe by Stephen Freeman
Have you ever referred to God as the Man upstairs? Most Christians living in a secular society have unwittingly relegated God and all things spiritual to the second storey of the universe: a realm we cannot reach except through death. The effect of this is to banish God, along with the saints and angels, from our everyday lives. In Everywhere Present, popular blogger and podcaster Fr. Stephen Freeman makes a compelling case for becoming aware of God s living and active presence in every moment of our lives here and now. Learning to practice your Christian faith in a one-storey universe will change your life and make possible the living, intimate relationship with God you ve always dreamed of.
Evlogeite! A Pilgrim's Guide to Greece by Mother Nectar McLees 
Did you know? -That the Parthenon in Athens was a Christian church longer than it was a pagan temple?
-That Greece, one-third the size of California, has more than 1,000 active monasteries? 
​-That the monastic enclave of Mt. Athos is the oldest self-governing republic in the world? 
"Evlogeite! A Pilgrim's Guide to Greece" takes you on a fascinating journey through two thousand years of Greek-Christian history, often unknown in the West. From majestic cathedrals to sun-washed hilltop monasteries and village shrines, this is the first comprehensive guide to the holy places where the Greeks themselves go.
Father Arseny 1893-1973, Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father, translated from the Russian by Vera Bouteneff
It is one of the great mysteries of life that in atmospheres of the harshest cruelty, a certain few not only survive but emerge as beacons of light and life. Father Arseny, former scholar of church art, became Prisoner No. 18736 in the brutal 'special sector' of the Soviet prison camp system. In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul, he shone with the light of Christ's peace and compassion. His sights set on God and his life grounded in the Church, Father Arseny lived by injunction to 'bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ' (Galatians 6:2). This narrative, compiled from accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children and others whom he brought to God, gives stirring glimpses of his life in prison camp and after his release. It also tells the stories of people whose lives, often during times of almost unimaginable crisis, were touched and transfigured through their connection with Father Arseny. Emerging from the context of the particular tragedies of Soviet Russia, this book carries a universal impact certain to be felt by readers in the West today.
Father Arseny, a cloud of witnesses, translated from the Russian by Vera Bouteneff
The stories of Father Arseny and his work in the Soviet prison camps have captured the minds and hearts of readers all over the world. In this second volume readers will find additional narratives about Father Arseny newly translated from the most recent Russian edition.
Fire from Ashes, the Reality of Perpetual Conversion by Joseph Honeycutt & Steve Robinson
Popular bloggers and podcasters Father Joseph Huneycutt and Steve "the Builder" Robinson explore the reality of life in Christ as perpetual conversion falling and rising, falling and rising again. No matter how cold the ashes of our hearts, with Christ's help we can fan them back into flame. Illustrated with Steve's inimitable cartoons.
First Fruits of Prayer, a 40-day journey through the canon of St Andrew by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Join Frederica Mathewes-Green on a guided retreat through an ancient Orthodox text. Regardless of your denominational background, First Fruits of Prayer will bring to life the prayer experience of first millennium Christianity through immersion in this poetic hymn, an extraordinarily beautiful work that is still chanted by Christians around the world each Lent. It weaves together Old and New Testament Scriptures with prayers of hope and repentance and offers ancient ways of seeing Christ that still feel new today.
For the Life of the World by Fr Alexander Schmemann
In For the Life of the World Alexander Schmemann suggests an approach to the world and life within it, which stems from the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Church. He understands issues such as secularism and Christian culture from the perspective of the unbroken experience of the Church, as revealed and communicated in her worship, in her liturgy - the sacrament of the world, the sacrament of the Kingdom.
The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis contemplates the essence of love and how it works in our daily lives in one of his most famous works of nonfiction. Lewis examines four varieties of human love: affection, the most basic form; friendship, the rarest and perhaps most insightful; Eros, passionate love; charity, the greatest and least selfish. Throughout this compassionate and reasoned study, he encourages readers to open themselves to all forms of love - the key to understanding that brings us closer to God.
The Garments of Salvation, Orthodox Christian Liturgical Vesture by Krista M. West
Is beauty within the Church optional or essential? What is the origin of Orthodox Christian liturgical vestments and what is their significance? What meaning is contained in the textiles, colors and designs used in Orthodox Christian liturgical practice? Answering these and many other questions, master vestment maker, Khouria Krista West, invites us to explore the fascinating and colorful world of Orthodox Christian vesture and church adornment. The first comprehensive book on this topic in the English language, The Garments of Salvation is an engaging and compelling presentation of the nearly 2000-year tradition of liturgical garments within the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
It is a classic Christian allegorical tale about a bus ride from hell to heaven. An extraordinary meditation upon good and evil, grace and judgment, Lewis’s revolutionary idea in the The Great Divorce is that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside. Using his extraordinary descriptive powers, The Great Divorce will change the way we think about good and evil. 
Great Lent, Journey to Pascha by Fr Alexander Schmemann
This revised edition of Father Alexander Schmemann's Lenten classic examines the meaning of Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian, the Canon of St Andrew of Crete and other neglected or misunderstood treasures of Lenten worship. Schmemann draws on the Church's sacramental and liturgical tradition to suggest the meaning of Lent in our life. The Lenten season is meant to kindle a 'bright sadness' within our hearts. Its aim is precisely the remembrance of Christ, a longing for a relationship with God that has been lost. Lent offers the time and place for recovery of this relationship. The darkness of Lent allows the flame of the Holy Spirit to burn within our hearts until we are led to the brilliance of the Resurrection.
The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios by Dionysios Farasiotis ​
This powerful memoir tells the story of a Greek youth who, out of a desire to know the truth empirically, began to experiment in yoga, hypnotism, and various occult techniques. Eventually drawn back to the Faith of his forefathers Orthodox Christianity he visited the ancient monastic republic of Mount Athos in his native Greece, where he was brought to a knowledge of the Truth of Jesus Christ by the saintly Elder Paisios (1924 1994). Nevertheless, believing he had only found part of the truth on the Holy Mountain, he chose to give the same opportunity to Hindu yogis that he had given to Elder Paisios and other Orthodox monks.
Help! I'm Bored in Church, entering fully into the Divine Liturgy by David R. Smith
Do you ever find yourself feeling bored in church? Don't despair you're not alone, and there is hope! Fr. David Smith offers four compelling reasons for going to church regardless of how we feel. He then explores six reasons people sometimes feel bored in church, five ways to think about your priest, four ways you can participate more fully in services, three kinds of waiting, two kinds of prayer, and the one thing truly needful in our relationship with God. This book will help you see church as the best place you could possibly be and the place you most want to be.
Hiking the Holy Mountain, tales of monks and miracles on the trails of Mount Athos, Greece by John McKinney
As the Los Angeles Times hiking columnist, John McKinney had a professional purpose for his trip: to hike around the Holy Mountain and write about Mt. Athos as a hiking destination, a spiritual adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. What he encountered there instead was an epiphany that changed his life and a colorful collection of wise Greek monks, who taught him that on this amazing path we call life, we're often compelled to change direction.
The Holy Angels by Mother Alexandra
How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan Gregory of St Petersburg
This book, originally published in Russian in 1904, is a short but comprehensive work offering guidance to the Christian on how to conduct himself through the course of the day. In a eminently straightforward manner the author describes how to conduct oneself in the morning, in relation to God, in common situations of life, in daily work, during meals, during the afternoon rest, in the evening, before sleep, and during sleeplessness. He concludes with a consideration of prayer and guidance and on how to spend Sundays. A biography of the author, Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg (1784-1860), concludes the work.
Icon by Georgia Briggs
Forget your old name. Forget your parents. These are the things Euphrosyne's grandparents and counselor tell her. But if Orthodox Christianity is a lie, why did the icon so dramatically save her life? And what can she do to get the icon back? In a post-Christian America, where going to church, praying, or owning holy things means death, a twelve-year-old girl searches for the truth. Finding it may cost her everything.
In God's Hands: A Mother s Journey through Her Infant's Critical Illness by Elissa Bjeletich
Popular AFR podcaster Elissa Bjeletich (Raising Saints) tells the story of her youngest daughter's battle with liver disease, showing how her doubt, fear, and impatience gave way to faith in God's providence.
In the Eyes of Your Creator, Truly Valuing Yourself and Others by David L. Fontes, Psy.D.
Many of the ills of our society can be traced to the sense of worthlessness that afflicts so many people today. If we only understood in the depths of our being how valuable we are in the eyes of our Creator, we could learn to obey Christ's commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Priest and counselor David Fontes marries the best insights of psychology with those of the spiritual tradition of the Orthodox Church to point the way toward this understanding.
Jesus Crucified, the Baroque spirituality of St Dimitri of Rostov, translated by Father John Mikitish
This collection of prayers, poems, and other devotional writings focusing on the Christ's Passion introduce readers to the world of Russian spirituality in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The appendices feature a paschal letter written by St Dimitri to his friend Theologus, and a poem in honor of St Dimitri, which appeared in the first print edition of his Psalms. Including a detailed introduction and extensive notes supplied by the translator, this collection will be of interest to students and scholars of Russian history, the history of the Orthodox Church, and the history of Christian spirituality.
A Layman in the Desert, Monastic Wisdom for a Life in the World by Daniel G. Opperwall
Orthodox Christians today have no lack of resources on monastic spirituality. And yet startlingly little has been done to critically engage the monastic tradition and adapt its ancient wisdom for the Orthodox faithful living in today s complex society. A Layman in the Desert aims to bridge this crucial gap.
The Lenten Spring, Readings for Great Lent by Fr Thomas Hopko
The Church welcomes the Lenten spring with a spirit of exultation...with the enthusiasm of a child... The tone of the church services is one of brightness and light.Thus the author begins the first of forty meditation on Great Lent, casting out the gloom and darkness with which many Christians approach this holy season and revealing, in a simple, clear and beautiful manner, its true meaning.
Let us Attend, a journey through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy by Father Lawrence Farley
A guide to understanding the Divine Liturgy, and a vibrant reminder of the centrality of the Eucharist in living the Christian life. Every Sunday morning we are literally taken on a journey into the Kingdom of God. Fr. Lawrence guides everyday believers in a devotional and historical walk through the Orthodox liturgy. Examining the Liturgy section by section, he provides both historical explanations of how the liturgy evolved, and devotional insights aimed at helping us pray the liturgy in the way the Fathers intended. In better understanding the depth of the Liturgy's meaning and purpose, we can pray it properly. If you would like a deeper understanding of your Sunday morning experience so that you can draw closer to God, this book is for you.
Light in the Darkness by Sergei Fudel 
The collected writings of Sergei Fudel (1904-1977). Though he spent much of his life in prison or labor camps and was never theologically educated, he was an astute observer of modern life, and understood the challenges of today's secular world.
A Little Daily Wisdom from the Early Church edited by Bernard Bangley
Following Christ’s example, many early Christians around the Mediterranean retreated to the desert for contemplation. These were ordinary men and women with a strong spiritual awareness. By the fourth century thousands had endured the rigors of desert survival. While they accepted visitors, they preferred long hours of solitude and quiet. They were not prolific writers. Instead, people jotted down the things they said. These sayings and anecdotes ultimately became parts of written collections. "A Little Daily Wisdom from the Early Church" gathers the best of this material, expressing it in clear, modern English. Each brief insight becomes a nugget for our own daily meditation throughout a year. With this book we can experience spiritual growth in our own quiet corner of this busy world.
Living Icons, Persons of Faith in the Eastern Church by Father Michael Plekon
Living Icons presents an intimate portrait of holiness as exemplified in the lives and thoughts of ten people of faith in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In this inspiring volume, Michael Plekon introduces readers to a diverse and unusual group of men and women who strove to put the Gospel of Christ into action in their lives.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths. Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth still it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell, by chance, into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.
The Origins Of The Liturgical Year by Thomas J. Talley
In this definitive work, Thomas Talley draws on all the resources of historical scholarship to examine and unravel the complications brought to liturgical time by the blending of local traditions.
Liturgical time, like all ecclesiastical structures, has interacted with other traditions since the early centuries. Yet Doctor Talley found that the Gospel tradition and its liturgical employment shaped the period that comprises the liturgical year.
His findings illustrate for the reader that every festival the Church celebrates - very Sunday - is centered primarily and finally in the Eucharist, which from the beginning and always proclaims the Lord's death until He comes.
Scripture Readings in Orthodox Worship by Georges Barrois
These scriptural lessons are interpreted within the context of the Orthodox Church's worship and prayer, through the course of its liturgical seasons and feasts.
Thirty Steps to Heaven, the Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life by Vassilios Papavassiliou
Many laypeople have attempted to read the great spiritual classic, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, but have been frustrated in attempting to apply the lessons of this monastic text to their everyday lives in the world. In Thirty Steps, Archimandrite Vassilios interprets the Ladder for the ordinary Christian without sacrificing any of its beauty and power. Now you too can accept the challenge offered by St. John Climacus to ascend closer to God with each passing day.
Time and Despondency, regaining the present in faith and life by Nicole M. Roccas
Idleness. Apathy. Restlessness. Procrastination. These are symptoms of what early Christian theologians called despondency, a spiritual sickness rooted in a lack of care or effort. A condition as old as the ancients, despondency thrives in today's culture of leisure, anxiety, and digital distraction. Time and Despondency is a penetrating synthesis of ancient theology, spiritual memoir, and self-help practicality. It envisions despondency as the extension of a broken relationship with the experience of time. Driven by the fear of death and the anxiety of living, despondency drives us to abandon the present moment, forsaking the only temporal realm in which we have true fellowship with Christ. The remedies offered by time-honored Christian thinkers for this predicament constitute not only an antidote to despondency but also stepping stones back to the present moment. In regaining the sacredness of time, we re-encounter the Resurrection of Christ in the dark and restless moments of our lives.
Making Friends of Enemies, reflections on the teachings of Jesus by Jim Forest​
Mastering the Art of Marriage, staying together when the world pulls you apart by Fr Constantine Nasr
How do you get from "I do" to "happily ever after?" It can be done, even in today s divorce-torn society. But marriage is no fairy tale, it takes unselfish love, total commitment, a realistic attitude, and a lot of hard work. In a conversational style, with exercises and examples from movies and life, Fr Constantine Nasr, a 38-year veteran of both marriage and marital counseling, shows you how to master the art of marriage and create a lastingly joyful home and family.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
In the classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books "The Case for Christianity," "Christian Behavior," and "Beyond Personality," Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.
Miracles by C.S. Lewis
In the classic Miracles, C.S. Lewis, the most important Christian writer of the 20th century, argues that a Christian must not only accept but rejoice in miracles as a testimony of the unique personal involvement of God in his creation. 
The Names of Jesus, Discovering the Person of Jesus Christ Through Scripture by Father Thomas Hopko
In this book based on his popular podcast series of the same name, the late Father Thomas Hopko shares meditations on over 50 different names and titles used for Jesus in the Bible. Learn what each name uniquely has to tell us about the character of the Son of God, His role in our salvation, and the relationship we can choose to cultivate with Him.
Nearly Orthodox, on being a modern woman in an ancient tradition by Angela Doll Carlson
From Catholic schoolgirl to punk rocker to emergent church planter, Angela Doll Carlson traveled a spiritual path that in many ways mirrors that of a whole generation. She takes us with her on a deep and revealing exploration of the forces that drove her toward Orthodoxy and the challenges that long kept her from fully entering in.
O Death, Where is Thy Sting? by Fr Alexander Schmemann
In this brief collection, Father Alexander Schmemann does not have the luxury for platitudes and pleasantries on the most difficult of life's ultimate questions. Taking us to the heart of Christian revelation and anthropology, he leads us unequivocally and directly, as only he can, to discole why the apostle Paul calls death the "last enemy" (1 Cor. 15:26) and Christ's decisive answer to this enemy.
Of Water & the Spirit, a liturgical study of Baptism by Fr Alexander Schmemann
In this study of the Orthodox understanding of Christian initiation, the rites of baptism and chrismation, Fr Schmemann invites us to 'rediscover' baptism. He penetrates the Church's rubrics and rituals'often dismissed as out-of-date or merely quaint to reveal their inner content: a message of man's entrance into new life, into the Church and into the Kingdom. The result is a powerful statement of the meaning baptism should hold in our lives.
On Prayer by Archimandrite Sophrony
A collection of articles on prayer and the spiritual life, together with some of the author's own prayers. A moving testimony to the relevance of Christ, who, for Archimandrite Sophrony, is "all, and in all, the beginning and the ending" of all things (cf. Col 3:11; Rev 1:8).
On the Incarnation by St Athanasius
On the Incarnation, a new translation and introduction by John Behr, Preface by C.S. Lewis By any standard, this is a classic of Christian theology. Composed by St Athanasius in the fourth century, it expounds with simplicity the theological vision defended at the councils of Nicaea and Constantinople: that the Son of God himself became "fully human, so that we might become god." Its influence on all Christian theology thereafter, East and West, ensures its place as one of the few "must read" books for all who want to know more about the Christian faith.
Orthodox Christian Teaching, an introduction to the Orthodox Faith by Bishop Dmitri 
It is a concise volume with information on the theology of the Orthodox Church, church practices and worship, a complete vocabulary list, a bibliography, and the history of the church.
Orthodox Christianity series by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev:
  • ​Volume 1: The History and Canonical Structure of the Orthodox Church​
This volume begins with an account of the historical arc of the Orthodox Church during the first ten centuries after Christ"s nativity, when the Christians of the east and west shared a common history. In examining the second millennium, the author, a hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, delves deeply into the life of Christianity in Russia, providing a case study, as it were, of how Orthodoxy can infuse the literature, art, and philosophy of an entire culture. He then goes on to discuss the canonical structure of the Orthodox Church, describing the emergence and development of diocesan structures, metropolias, and patriarchates, as well as the contemporary structure of world Orthodoxy and the principle of "canonical territory," which forms the basis of inter-Orthodox relations.
  • Volume 2: Doctrine and Teaching of the Orthodox Church
This volume examines the sources of Orthodox doctrine in Scripture and Tradition; its teaching on God in Trinity and Unity, in his essence and in his energies; on the world and man; on Jesus Christ, the incarnate God; on the Church, the body of Christ; on the Theotokos, Mary; and on eschatology, the last things.
  • Volume 3: The Architecture, Icons, and Music of the Orthodox Church
This third volume delves into the unique aspects of Orthodox art as expressed in its architecture, icons, and liturgical music. This includes a detailed examination of the theology of icons and their historical use by the Church through the centuries. The last section traces the importance and liturgical function of music as it developed in both Byzantine and Slavic Orthodoxy.
  • Volume 4: The Worship and Liturgical Life of the Orthodox Church
This is the fourth volume of a detailed and systematic exposition of the history, canonical structure, doctrine, moral and social teaching, liturgical services, and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church. The purpose of this series is to present Orthodox Christianity as an integrated theological and liturgical system, in which all elements are interconnected. Orthodox worship is precious in that it provides the clear standard of Orthodoxy as a mode of thinking and a way of life (p. XXX). This has been the law of the Church from ancient times: lex orandi, lex credendi, the law of prayer is the law of faith.
The Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Kallistos (Timothy) Ware
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.
The Orthodox Faith series by Fr Thomas Hopko:
  • Volume 1: Doctrine & Scripture
  • Volume 2: Worship
  • Volume 3: Church History
  • Volume 4: Spirituality
This series is intended to provide basic, comprehensive information on the faith and life of the Orthodox Church. It consists of four volumes.
Volume 1 is divided into two parts.  The first outlines the doctrinal teachings of the Orthodox Church by looking at its sources, followed by a commentary on the Nicene Creed and an explanation of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Part Two contains an explanation of the primary source of Christian doctrine - Scripture - through an overview of the contents of both the Old and New Testaments.
Volume 2 contains five sections, highlighting diffeerent aspeects related to worship in the Orthodox Church: the church building; vestments and symbols; the sacraments; the daily cycles of worship; the church year with its fasts and feasts; and the Divine Liturgy.
Volume 3 summarizes the primary personalities, controversies, and events of the Christian era through a synopsis of each century, beginning from the birth of the Church through the early 21st century.
Volume 4 deals with the main themes of Christian Life: prayer, fasting, repentance, the virtues, witness in the world, and communion with God.
The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
This book is a general account of the doctrine, worship and life of Orthodox Christians by the author of the now classic The Orthodox Church. It raises the basic issues of theology: God is hidden yet revealed; the problem with evil; the nature of salvation; the meaning of faith; prayer; death and what lies beyond. In so doing, it helps to fill the need for modern Orthodox catechism. Yet this book is not a mere manual, a dry-as-dust repository of information. Throughout the book, Bishop Kallistos Ware shows the meaning of Orthodox doctrine for the life of the individual Christian. Doctrinal issues are seen not as abstract propositions for theological debate but as affecting the whole of life.
Pearl of Great Price, the Life of Mother Maria Skobtsova 1891-1945 by Sergei Hackel
It is the moving story of Mother Maria Skobtsova, a nun of the Orthodox Church, who was born into a Russian aristocratic home but who died a martyr's death in one of Hitler's concentration camps. In the intervening years, the vicissitudes of life led her through two marriages, childbirth and childrearing, and exile from her homeland-until she became an unconventional nun, devoted to the service of the destitute and the despairing in Nazi-occupied France during WWII. Mother Maria was eventually consigned to Ravensbrück concentration camp because of her support of the Jews in Paris. There she continued to help those around her up until-and even by means of-her own death. Now canonized by the Orthodox Church as St Maria, she demonstrates how to love the image of God in each person, even when surrounded by hatred, undiluted evil, and brutality.
Praying with Icons by Jim Forest
In this beautifully illustrated book Jim Forest explains the use of icons in prayer to the uninitiated. Icons are not just "art" but a powerful aid to prayer and contemplation.
The Quest for Orthodox Church Unity in America by Archimandrite Seraphim
A history of the Orthodox Church in North America in the twentieth century.
Real Choices, Listening to Women, looking for alternatives to abortion by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Today, pro-life supporters across the country are realizing that it is time to move past the polarization of "women's rights" versus "unborn children's rights" to find practical solutions for both mother and baby. The book Real Choices gives an inside look at the reasons women make the tragic decision for abortion-as described by women who themselves chose abortion. The book goes on to explore how pro-life supporters can help both mother and child by ministering to women in their need with ... Real choices.
The Resurrection and the Icon by Michel Quenot
In a fascinating evaluation of the interdependence of Orthodox iconography and liturgical worship, Quenot leads the reader on a pilgrimage through the major feasts of the Church's annual cycle by way of their iconographic representations. In every instance the image in question is treated not as a distinct work of art but rather as an integral element in an edifice that has as its unshakable foundation the Resurrection of Christ.
The Right to Life, the Eastern Orthodox Christian perspective on abortion by Dr Dumitru Macaila
An examination of Orthodox teaching on the issue of abortion and the sanctity of human life by a US-based priest of the Greek church. Included are biblical texts on the sanctity of our existence; the teachings of the Fathers on abortion; the contemporary position of the Orthodox Church on the subject and a review of Roman Catholic, Protestant, Islamic and Buddhist teachings on abortion.
Russian Orthodoxy under the Old Regime by Robert L. Nichols
In this book eleven scholars examine one of the most important institutions of imperial Russia, the Orthodox church in the two centuries before the Russian revolution. The material is arranged in two sections, the first devoted to Orthodoxy's role in Russian social and cultural life and the second dealing with the church's relationship to the tsarist regime.
Sacred Doorways, a beginner's guide to icons by Linette Martin
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters by C.S.  Lewis is a classic masterpiece of religious satire that entertains readers with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.
Special Agents of Christ, a Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd
You're never too young to be one of the special agents God uses to accomplish His will in the world. This prayer book was written by the author of the popular teen prayer book Hear Me especially for upper elementary children. Special Agents of Christ serves as a training manual to prepare children for serving Christ in the real world, with sections for daily prayers, prayers for life s challenges, preparation for confession, and much more. The examples of special agents of the past the saints encourage these young saints to serve God here and now.
Spirits in Bondage by C.S. Lewis
A collection of poems, written in the wake of World War I, in which the young intellectual and soldier wrestles with the perplexing polarities of life, including love and war, evil and goodness, and other complex dichotomies.
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis takes readers on a spiritual journey through his early life and eventual embrace of the Christian faith. Lewis begins with his childhood in Belfast, surveys his boarding school years and his youthful atheism in England, reflects on his experience in World War I, and ends at Oxford, where he became "the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England." As he recounts his lifelong search for joy, Lewis demonstrates its role in guiding him to find God.
The Way of a Pilgrim trans. from Russian by R.M. French
This classic of world spiritual literature is the firsthand account of a pilgrim's journey as he endeavors to live out Saint Paul's instruction to "pray without ceasing." The narrator, an unnamed nineteenth-century peasant, sets out on his pilgrimage with nothing but a Bible, a rosary, and some dried bread. As he walks, he recites the Jesus prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me")—a prayer that is said to quiet anxiety and fill the heart with love for all creation. With this prayer constantly on his lips, the pilgrim undergoes a profound spiritual education.
Way of the Ascetics, the ancient tradition of discipline and inner growth by Tito Colliander
Written for lay persons living in the world, this is an excellent resource for daily meditation, spiritual guidance and a revitalized religious life. Succinct yet profound extracts from the Fathers, with commentary.
The Way to Nicaea, formation of Christian Theology by Fr John Behr
This series traces the reflection provoked by Christ's question "Who do you say I am?" from the earliest days of Christianity to the Seventh Ecumenical Council. The problems tackled range from fundamental issues, concerning how Christ is known and the standard by which reponses to him can be evaluated, to the reflections regarding his relation to God and to us. This text presents the history of theological reflection and a sustained analysis of the essential elements of the resulting theology.
The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
The classic Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis, the most important Christian writer of the 20th century, contains nine sermons delivered by Lewis during World War Two. The nine addresses in Weight of Glory offer guidance, inspiration, and a compassionate apologetic for the Christian faith during a time of great doubt.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church, an introduction to Eastern Christianity by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Also check out videos of Welcome to the Orthodox Church.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church—its history, theology, worship, spirituality, and daily life. This friendly guide provides a comprehensive introduction to Orthodoxy, but with a twist: readers learn by making a series of visits to a fictitious church, and get to know the faith as new Christians did for most of history, by immersion. Mathews-Green provides commentary and explanations on everything from how to “venerate” an icon, the Orthodox understanding of the atonement, to the Lenten significance of tofu. It’s the perfect book for inquirers and newcomers, but even readers who have been Orthodox all their say they learned things they never knew before. Enjoyable, easy-to-read, and leavened with humor, Welcome to the Orthodox Church is a gracious guide to the ancient faith of the Christian East. 
Windows to Heaven, introducing icons to Protestants and Catholics by Elizabeth Zelensky & Lela Gilbert
Evangelicals often feel uneasy when they encounter the haunting images of Orthodox icons. From the theological to the practical, questions flood in: Why are the facial expressions so fixed? Why the colorful robes? What do the images symbolize? Do Orthodox Christians worship icons? Doesn't that make them idols?
In this useful guidebook, Elizabeth Zelensky and Lela Gilbert debunk common misconceptions about Orthodox icons and explain how they might enrich the devotional lives of non-Orthodox Christians. Each chapter opens with biblical passages and engaging anecdotes and closes with excerpts from personal journals. The authors offer a detailed look at five specific icons, discussing the importance of the incarnation, the Trinity, and Christ's transfiguration to the Orthodox faith.
This approachable and engaging guide is perfect for those seeking to deepen or refresh their devotional lives.
Wisdom from Mount Athos, the Writings of Staretz Siloun 1866-1938 by Archimandrite Sophrony
Staretz, or "elder", is a title given to Orthodox monks of particular spiritual development. Staretz Silouan was a Russian peasant whose only formal education consisted of two winters at the village school. But on Mt Athos, rooted in a tradition reaching back to the very beginnings of Christian monasticism, he was taught of God and attained wisdom akin to that of the Desert Fathers. 
Who is God? Who am I? Who are You? by Dee Pennock
"How much do you know about yourself?" asks the author in her first chapter. This brilliant little book is about growing up - psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Based on the teachings of inspired early Christian fathers, it describes the God-potential of every person and how to bring it about in everyday life. In a refreshing and clear style, the author deals with such issues as self-image, decision-making, false guilt, the gift of sex, responsibility, prayer, and God's immense love for every human being. Written as a guide to self-knowledge for young people, this contribution to basic Christian psychology is extremely useful also for adults who are seeking God's way.
The Year of Grace of the Lord, a scriptural and liturgical commentary on the calendar of the Orthodox Church by a Monk of the Eastern Church​​​​​
On the basis of worship of the Orthodox Church, The Year of Grace of the Lord takes the reader through the Sundays and feast days from the beginning of the year in September to the time of its completion after Pentecost. It is a guide to the scriptural readings and prayers of the calendar year and reveals the spiritual growth in Christ that is opened to us in them. In the author's words, the liturgical year is 'an abridgement of the history of salvation.' A helpful list of reference notes, including historical and theological material, is given at the end of each chapter. This book will be of interest to anyone who wishes to know more about the development and pattern of the Orthodox liturgical year.
Books in Russian:
Великий Пост, Святитель Иннокентий​
Предлагаемая читателям книга содержит проповеди «русского Златоуста» — святителя Иннокентия (Борисова; † 1857), архиепископа Херсонского и Таврического, прославленного в лике святых в 1997 году.
Время Великого поста драгоценно для нашего спасения. И от нас самих зависит, будем ли мы проводить его в лености и беспечности или же постараемся избавиться от наших грехов и беззаконий. Эта книга может стать практическим руководством в прохождении поприща Великого поста для всех ищущих спасения.
Несвятые Святые, Архимандрит Тихон Шевкунов
“Несвятые святые” и другие рассказы», наверное, самая знаменитая православная книга наших дней. Ее составили короткие автобиографические рассказы, в большинстве своем связанные с Псково-Печерским монастырем, где отец Тихон (Шевкунов) начинал свою монашескую жизнь. 
Название «Несвятые святые» обозначает всех христиан: ко всем христианам Церковь обращается как к святым («Святая святым»), так получается, что по отношению к «настоящим святым», «обычные христиане» — несвятые святые.
Размышления о Бессмертной Душе, Архимандрит Иоанн Крестьянкин
В этой антологии разбираются вопросы происхождение души, ее природы, путь ее спасения и многое другое. «Размышления о бессмертной душе» содержат обильные отсылки к Святым Отцам.
Святая Святым, Размышления об Исповеди и Причащении Святых Тайн, Протопресвитер Александр Шмеман
В книгу вошли три статьи выдающегося богослова XX века о. Александра Шмемана, посвященные сложным вопросам современной церковной жизни, которые связаны с самым главным таинством Православной Церкви — Евхаристией. Как соотносятся Исповедь и Причащение, каким образом можно возродить регулярное причащение верующих, каково значение приготовления к Причащению — на эти вопросы отвечает автор.
Сектоведение, Александр Дворкин
Несомненные достоинства собранного и систематизированного материала об учении, методах, истории и конкретном вреде тоталитарных сект делают это исследование настольной книгой миссионера на любом приходе, который живет в окружении агрессивной экспансии деструктивных культов и куда обращаются простые люди, ища защиты и правдивой информации о культах.