Netzari Yehudim - haDerech
Apostolic Judaism - The Way

Getting back to the truth of the Word, the divine revelation of our Creator, made flesh in Yeshua the Mashiach
September 2024 Update
It's been awhile, I know.
Most of us in the Messianic, Hebrew Roots, or Torah movements have had one goal in mind: to go back to the faith of the Apostles that was pure and void of any pagan influences. But we did so under a few false premises. First and foremost would be our own private interpretations of Scripture which may have begun with good ideas, but all too often they turned into a bad case of proof texting our existing positions (what we call "eisegesis" as opposed to "exegesis"), few of which we actually found ourselves agreeing with one another on (so much for being "one"). The second issue is thinking that our exploration of Torah and Hebrew Roots could be done so by referencing Judaism today, not realizing that Rabbinic Judaism is actually a brand new religion invented centuries after the fall of the Temple in Jerusalem as a response to Christianity. In other words, Judaism changed itself so that it would be distinct and different from Christianity as it existed after the first few Ecumenical Councils where the Doctrine of the Trinity was defined (if such a doctrine was so "Christo-pagan" as some like to say, then there would have been no reason for Judaism to reinvent itself in response). And the third issue is that we simply brought in whatever existing framework we had, whether that was Pentecostal and Charismatic influences (as in the case of the mainstream Messianic movement), Adventist ideas (as in the case of the Sacred Name movements that spearheaded the Hebrew Roots movements), or Calvinism (as exists in some corners of the One Torah movement).
My own journey and love for the Aramaic Peshitta has, in a very roundabout way, led me to see how utterly misguided all of this was, and that contrary to popular belief, there has in fact never been a cessation of full Torah Observance by followers of Yeshua. Believe it or not, a complete and proper observance of the Torah has existed for the past two-thousand years by a significant number of people who have inherited and carried on the original second temple period religion (or faith) that Yeshua the Messiah fulfilled, and that His apostles preached and established (in some cases, this has actually been the majority of all believers worldwide!). How in the world did we all miss this?? And that's just it, the worst part is that it has been right under our noses this entire time, we were just too blinded to see it, being stuck in this western mindset of Roman Catholic VS Protestant theology where we wasted our time trying to reconstruct things based on a later false religion (Rabbinic Judaism).
Let me explain by sharing a bit about my own journey...
So, Andrew Gabriel Roth in his Aramaic Peshitta New Testament constantly makes references to the Church of the East as a Semitic church free from the Greek and Latin influences so many of us talk about. In my own research, I plainly saw that the Church of the East indeed existed and developed outside of the Roman-Byzantine Empire in Persia/Mesopotamia/Babylon. Further, in tracing where all the original Jewish followers of Yeshua ended up after their expulsions from Jerusalem when the Temple was destroyed in the year 70 or following the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135, I also came to the conclusion that most of them returned to where the biggest Jewish settlements were: in Babylon with the Church of the East (not everyone came back after the Babylonian Exile, right?). So yes, the Mesopotamian region of Babylon/Persia is where the Church of the East flourished as a thoroughly Semitic Church with a Semitic text (the Eastern Aramaic Peshitta that many of us love). And other than brief and sporadic contact with the western and eastern Churches of the Roman/Byzantine empire, they remained relatively isolated since there were hostilities with Persia, making travel limited. They are also known as the church of the martyrs since they have received more persecution than any other historical church body, and yet, they nevertheless continue to exist as an independent church today, remaining the most Jewish or Semitic of all historical churches.
Now, is this the group that has not ceased to have a full observance of the Torah for the past two thousand years? Well, it's relatively difficult to find information on the Church of the East in English, and Andrew Roth likes to hint at how they at least hold to his ideas of Christology and such. Unfortunately for Andrew though, this could not be further from the truth. On top of the research I have done into the Church of the East, I decided just to ask them plainly what they believe, beginning with Shamasha Paul Younan of the Peshitta Forum (whose work Andrew took for his Aramaic English New Testament by the way [the AENT was not an original translation]). The answer I got from Shamasha Younan?
"We believe the exact same thing as the Orthodox."
You read that correctly. The Assyrian Church of the East, the independent Semitic Church that grew and developed outside of the Roman-Byzantine Empire, confesses that they believe the exact same thing as the Eastern Orthodox Churches. In other words, despite what Andrew Gabriel Roth or the Hebraic Roots movements might want you to believe, the Church of the East fully embraces the Doctrine of the Trinity, confesses the Nicene Creed every liturgy, and though they haven't officially adopted it, agree with the Chalcedonian Creed, confessing that in Messiah Yeshua there are two natures in one person (see "Exploring the Christology of the Church of the East" by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia). Additionally, they hold to Apostolic Succession through their line of Bishops, and have a rich Sacramental and Liturgical heritage (check out some of their English liturgical services here, and some English sermons here).
But wait, doesn't that sound Roman Catholic? Wasn't I supposed to point you in the direction of the faith of the apostles that has full Torah Observance? None of that sounds Hebraic or Jewish!!
Don't get me wrong, the Church of Rome and the Pope, despite sharing some outward similarities, have certainly departed from the Apostolic faith (in other words, their faith is not Orthodox, or true), but before I clarify what the faith of the Apostles is, I have to hammer in why it might not seem Hebraic or Jewish to us. Once again, the answer is simply because what we know as Hebraic or Jewish today is fundamentally changed from what the actual beliefs of the second temple period were (those of the Essenes, Pharisees, Zealots, Nazarenes, etc.). This is where the Messianic / Torah teachers of today fall short, because they are basing their understanding of history and their private interpretations of the Apostolic Scriptures on a false, Rabbinic faith, and grossly misunderstanding the church fathers and their use of terms like hypostasis. So, when teachers like Andrew Gabriel Roth build their Modalist-Nestorian Christology and shy away from terms like "The Trinity", they do so in sensitivity to a false religion that they grew up with; a religion that fundamentally changed how the Tanakh was understood, and which did so in direct response to Christianity.
Now, I last updated this website eleven and a half years ago, and what I've been doing in the meantime was a deep dive into this subject matter, including a lot of foundational ground up study on an academic level. That is, I learned the Biblical languages in a post-secondary environment, took Seminary classes, and entered the larger world of Christendom to ensure that no stone was left unturned. All this to discover that:
THE RELIGION OF THE APOSTLES AND FULL TORAH OBSERVANCE HAS ALWAYS EXISTED UNCHANGED WITHIN THE HOLY EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH
I understand how shocking that statement is, but by the time I figured this out, it wasn't shocking for me at all. Those fancy Temples they have with all the iconography? Those are earthly manifestations of the heavenly tabernacle where people worship in Spirit and in Truth, entering the marriage supper of the Lamb as heaven meets earth and time ceases in the way we chronologically understand it here on earth (Wisdom 9:8; Malachi 1:11; John 4:21-24; Hebrews 8:1-5, 9:11-14, 10:22-24, 13:10-15). Those priests they have there are not Levites, but acting on behalf of Messiah Yeshua according to His priesthood (the order of Melchizedek - Hebrews 7:11-22 [see also Luke 10:16; John 20:21-23; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6,14, 2:2; and 1 Clement 44). And all those icons are windows into the unseen realm, just like the woven and forged icons of cherubim/angels in the Temple and Tabernacle were back under the first covenant (Exodus 25:18-20, 26:1, 36:35; 1 Kings 6:23-36; see also the Dura-Europos Synagogue, which shows that early Judaism had the same level of Iconography as Orthodox Churches, proving once again that it was Judaism that changed, not Orthodoxy). In fact, the Divine Liturgy experienced in Orthodox Churches is literally the worship and spiritual battle of The Book of Revelation in real time (Revelation 1:10, 4:1-5:14, 7:9-17, 11:15-19, 19:1-10; notice the vestments, incense, and liturgical chant, and note also that "falling on their faces" are full prostrations which the faithful do in Orthodox Divine Liturgies). Although, what is happening behind the scenes in the Divine Liturgy remains "veiled" in the sense that we usually don't see what is happening directly, other than how it may be depicted in an icon or spoken of in Scripture (there have been exceptions where some have been granted visions, not unlike when the Apostle John was caught up in the spirit during his Divine Liturgy on the Lord's Day - Revelation 1:10). Nevertheless, we enter into the spiritual warfare and experience the spiritual victory, being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (Psalm 103:20-21; Hebrews 12:1-2; Revelation 5:8, 7:9-10). Yes, those who die in Messiah are very much alive (Mark 12:26-27), and part of what the Scriptures call The Divine Council (Psalm 82:1, 6; see also 1 Kings 22:19-23; Isaiah 6:6-8; Luke 20:35-36; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12) which is why we can seek their intercession and aid as we fight against demons and sin (which is completely different from the forgiveness that our Heavenly Father gives us because of His great love and compassion, for we know that He is slow to anger and full of mercy). Just as Messiah worked through the physical means of mud on one's eyes, washing in a particular river, or through the hands of His apostles back then (Matthew 10:1, 28:18-20; Luke 10:16; John 20:21-23; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6,14, 2:2; and 1 Clement 44), so too He continues to work through various means, both visible and invisible, including the saints of the Divine Council who fight on our behalf in the unseen realm. Don't believe me? Start by learning about what all the sacrifices of the Torah really mean and how they continue in the Orthodox Church with the Eucharist (and how this is actually what worship really is; it's not just praise and adoration, which is something we all give to our spouses [see Welcoming Gifts: Sacrifice in the Bible]).
But wait!! What about the Feast Days?? Shabbat!? Kosher? The nation of Israel??? Those Pagan roots!! Not to mention the three persons of the Trinity...
Yes, yes, I know. The truth is that there is a significant amount of rewiring and relearning we all have to do, both from the Rabbinic Jewish influences we have erroneously adopted, and all of the Roman Catholic and Protestant ideas that have equally skewed our historical perception of the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. And the easiest book for beginning to answer all your questions is,
The Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century
This book will demonstrate how Orthodoxy has kept the Torah to its fullest, far more than any sect of Judaism has, period. It will demonstrate how the faiths of the second temple period already recognized multiple hypostasis of The Eternal One, and so the doctrine of the Trinity is actually truly and fully Hebraic to the core (see Two Powers in Heaven by Alan Segal for an independent Jewish source confirming this). But, I'm sure many of you will need something more before you decide to invest in the book, affordable as it may be. I therefore commend to you the following blog posts by the very same author,
On the Torah
Is the Law Abolished or Fulfilled?
Acts 15 and the Law in the Church
Why Don't Christians Keep Kosher?
Cut Off from Among the People
Worship in Spirit and Truth
The Sacrifice to End All Sacrifices
St. Paul and the Law
Who Can Keep the Law of God?
Why the Law was Given, and by Whom
Psalm 51 and Justification
On the Trinity
The Angel of the Lord
God the Word
The Son of Man
God's Body
The Spirit of God in the Old Testament
Biblical Monotheism
One God, the Father, and One Lord, Jesus Christ
On Israel
The Election of Israel
God's People Israel
Renewed Israel
Keep in mind that this author, the Very Rev. Dr. Stephen De Young, unlike many in the Torah movement, can translate any Biblical text for you on the spot with no help, regardless of the language it's written in. He is an active pastor in a parish, and holds a Masters of Divinity, a Master of Arts, and a Ph.D in Biblical Studies, all while remaining very "theologically conservative" (which is important to mention since there is a phobia [and rightly so] of liberalism within our academic institutions). You can also listen to him and his co-host on The Lord of Spirits Podcast (episodes are conveniently categorized here) which has proven to be extremely popular since this is the truth everyone is craving. His co-host, the Very Rev. Andrew Stephen Damick, has also written an excellent book summarizing much of the content (The Lord of Spirits: An Orthodox Christian Framework for the Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare), as well as short summary of what the Gospel actually is (Arise O God).
I have a lot more to say, but let this suffice for now. I ruined a lot of good relationships and made far too many over zealous mistakes when I was a fanboy of "Netzari Judaism" and idolized the Aramaic English New Testament (metaphorically speaking). Having that said, for the role it played in bringing me to Holy Orthodoxy (and in a roundabout way, my wife as well), I am certainly very thankful. And so, for the sake of your own salvation, I implore you to go and explore what I said, because millions (yes, millions) of people are realizing this and flooding to Orthodoxy all over the world. And like me, you owe it to yourself to leave no stone unturned in your search for truth, especially if it means you can actually have a unified faith instead of constantly trying to reinvent the wheel or reconstruct things in such a way where you only end up feeling like you're cosplaying at the end of the day (and arguing with everyone else about who is cosplaying better).
As I've been busy doing this the past eleven and a half years, I have chosen to leave this website up exactly as is for reference (hoping also that it would help a few "sacred namers" here and there). I will continue to do so as a resource and a testimony of where you can end up when you don't stop looking for the truth, as radical as this change may be for someone zealous for the Torah. And yet, it was actually my zeal for the Torah that led me exactly here, for there is no single place better suited for focusing on my own repentance, and experiencing the fullness of Messiah Yeshua. Therefore, let me say that I'm sure your searching and experiences are commendable, but the fullness of the faith that you're looking for is found within Orthodoxy. Just be warned... it will seem strange... it will seem foreign... and it won't make sense at first. But, I can assure you, it will be worth giving up everything for in the end. And if a hard hearted iconoclast such as myself can make it, so can you. Further, the proof is in the pudding, because after having earnestly tried all sorts of things across the spectrum of Christendom, I can tell you that Orthodoxy is the only one that has had the right medicine for my spiritual sickness of sin that, I must admit, is quite severe. And that's why I kept looking, because more than anything else, I wanted to be truly healed of the effects of my sin. And now, instead of being an addict (you guys know what I'm talking about), I can actually call myself a recovering addict, walking in sober repentance where my heart and mind are being transformed (rather than forcing an external observance that we know is only going to hold out for so long). Nothing else worked but the fullness of our Saviour in Orthodoxy with all its various tools. I don't care who you are, overcoming sin and temptation is worth it (in case you need a reminder about that, read the seven letters in the Book of Revelation).
RECCOMMENDED BIBLES WITH COMMENTARY
For further help along the way, I wish to recommend some Bibles that may be suitable equivalents for what you may be used to (the CJB, TLV, or AENT for example). In the Assyrian Church of the East, when they speak English, they use and recommend The Orthodox Study Bible, which is what I began with thanks to them. It is an excellent standard that is as close to a complete Peshitta Bible that you can get, even though it is based on the Septuagint and Textus Receptus. I highly recommend it as a primer to start with and a standard to carry at all times.
But, if you want something more along the lines of the AENT, then you can look at The Orthodox New Testament Volume 1 and Volume 2. These are fresh and literal fundamental translations according to the Patriarchal Text that was built on The Gospel and Apostol books of Orthodox Churches used in the Divine Liturgy throughout the centuries (which means that they are the equivalent of Torah scrolls), and they have extensive commentaries in the back for all the verses. The look, feel, and style will be exactly what you are used to if you have used an AENT.
The final resource you can look at is The EOB New Testament, which is a smooth and easy to read translation (think Tree of Life Bible), also based on the Patriarchal Text, but with excellent introductory material and appendices (the appendices are only found in the paperback edition right now). A PDF edition of most of the text (the appendices are missing every second page) can be read on the Internet Archive here.
RECCOMMENDED CONGREGATIONS
If you so desire to take the plunge, for those in North America, I recommend seeking out congregations within the following canonical jurisdictions,
The Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCA)
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR / The Russian Church Abroad)
OTHER RECCOMMENDED RESOURCES
In addition to that, here are a few resources that should prove to be very helpful for you, demonstrating the fundamental conservatism you're probably comfortable with, but showing how much broader and spiritually hardcore Orthodoxy actually is in just the right way.
Introductory Material
Orthodox Intro
True Faith Blog
East Meets East Blog
Know the Faith Free eBook
The Divine Council Online Discussion Group
Essentials of Orthodox Christian Belief (OCA Catechism)
YouTube and Podcasts
Orthodox Kyle
Roots of Orthodoxy
Patristic Nectar App
Patristic Nectar Films
Patristix YouTube Channel
The Lord of Spirits Podcast
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Double Edged Sword Assyrian Church Podcast
Heaven on Earth Worship
The Antiochian Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in English
The Alexandrian Divine Liturgy of St. Mark the Evangelist in English
The Assyrian Church of the East Holy Qurbana of Ss. Thaddeus and Mari in English
The Orthodox Church in America Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in English
Webstores
Legacy Icons
Newrome Press
Ancient Faith Store
Antiochian Village (AOCA)
St. Tikhon's Monastery Press (OCA)
St. Vladimir's Seminary Press (OCA)
Holy Trinity Church Supplies (ROCOR)
Theological Institutes
Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (ROCOR)
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (OCA)
St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (OCA / AOCA)
Nisibis Assyrian Theological College (Assyrian Church of the East)
Livestreaming Services
Daily or Weekly Orthodox Divine Liturgy Livestreaming Options in English
May MarYah guide and direct your steps as you seek out the fullness of what He has done for you, in the Name of the + Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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ENTER ORIGINAL WEBSITE HERE
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CATECHETICAL READING
For those who are more serious and want to commit to a thorough and systematic study of Holy Orthodoxy beyond the above provided links, I recommend the following books in the order presented. This is not an exhaustive list as it only represents what I have sought out and read myself, but I have worked hard to determine what is the most useful and authoritative reading, categorizing them accordingly. Some are written as early as the first and second centuries, others have been published this year (2024). There is some overlap in the material which serves a twofold purpose: first, it demonstrates that no matter the source of writing or time written, Holy Orthodoxy is consistent in teaching the same thing from beginning to end; and second, the repetition will help to instill within you the fundamentals while also giving slightly more clarity depending on how the material is presented. I recommend reading about 10 pages per sitting on average as part of your prayer rule, doing so after your readings of the Holy Scriptures, which are most appropriate to read after the Psalms during the Hours, or at the appointed time in Matins and Vespers.
Speaking of prayer rules, for absolute beginners, I recommend starting with the morning and evening prayers found in the back of the Orthodox Study Bible. For more extensive prayer books and how to set up your prayer corner, please click on the Liturgical Texts and Holy Scriptures link below, or the free resources following.
LITURGICAL TEXTS AND HOLY SCRIPTURES (opens and a new page)
Free Liturgical Texts and Holy Scripture Resources
Daily Standard Prayers (Classic)
Daily Monastic Prayers (Horologion)
Daily Scripture Readings (Lectionary)
Daily Calendar of Saints (Synaxarion)
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***SEQUENTIAL CATECHETICAL READING LEVELS***
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There are five levels of catechetical reading split up into the stages of entering The Orthodox Church, followed by some general books that can be read at any time. This list shouldn't be treated in an overly legalistic manner, but more as a general guide to help you along in your journey to Orthodoxy.
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CATECHESIS LEVEL ONE - Introductions to Orthodoxy (Inquirer Stage)
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The first level of catechesis is for the Inquirer Stage, which is when you are attending a parish regularly but have not yet committed to being Orthodox by becoming a Catechumen. During this stage of exploration, the key focus is simply to be introduced to Orthodox Church, including its general beliefs and practices, and how we encounter God here.
Know the Faith: A Handbook for Orthodox Christians and Inquirers - (Free PDF)
Introducing The Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life - (Free PDF)
An Introduction to God: Encountering the Divine in Orthodox Christianity
The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity
The Orthodox Faith: Worship and Life
The Orthodox Study Bible: Ancient Christianity Speaks to Today's World
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CATECHESIS LEVEL TWO - Understanding and Living the Orthodox Faith (Catechumen Stage)
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The second level of catechesis is for the Catechumen Stage, which is when you have decided to become an Orthodox Christian and officially begin that journey. This involves a specific rite of renouncing the devil and pledging faithfulness to the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are appointed a sponsor or Godparent who will guard you during this journey with their prayers and mentorship, and will continue to be there as a source of guidance for the rest of your life. At this stage, you are not only endeavoring to understand the Orthodox faith on a deeper level, but how to actually live as an Orthodox Christian. This means that there is a distinct focus on the spiritual life, where you will begin to learn how to pray, fast, and give alms. These practices will be slowly integrated into your life as you learn about and incorporate aspects of Christian ascetism as appropriate. There is also an emphasis on how to think Orthodox, which requires a considerable amount of rewiring in our brains because of both secular and western church influences (Protestant and/or Roman catholic). Related to this, there is also a book which compares and contrasts Orthodox Christianity with every other religion, Christian based or not, so you can have a thorough understanding of what you are getting into, and how it compares to everything else. During this process, additional reading from the "Other" category may be required to help you work through particular issues. For example, if you experience difficulty understanding clerical roles, then it would be necessary for you to read St. John Chrysostom's "Six Books on the Priesthood", followed by the books on the Minor Orders or Deaconesses as required. Or, if while reading about the Theology of the Body, you discover that you are struggling with addiction related to food, sex, drugs, or alcohol, then it would be necessary for you to slow down and read "Steps of Transformation". Further, if you are coming from a Hebraic Roots background, it may be helpful to read "Surprised by Christ: My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity" in addition to "One Flew Over the Onion Dome". Depending on your background and struggles, the catechumen stage could take anywhere from a couple months to several years (mine only took a few months, but that was after about a decade of on and off study followed by exactly one year of inquiring). Some parishes require you to be a catechumen for at least one year (three years was required for pagan converts in Jerusalem during the early centuries), but no matter the timeframe given by your spiritual father, take your time reading through these materials as they will require deep reflection. For modern day converts, it is said that it takes upwards of twenty years to begin truly thinking Orthodox, so expect this transformation and renewal of your mind to continue indefinitely.
Essentials of Orthodox Christian Belief (Free PDF)
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy: Finding the Way to Christ in a Complicated Religious Landscape
The Eastern Orthodox New Testament with Extensive Introductions and Appendices - (Free PDF)
One Flew Over the Onion Dome: : American Orthodox Converts, Retreads, and Reverts
The Orthodox Way
Theology of the Body
Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: A Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
Beginning to Pray
Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One Story Universe
The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer
The Illness and Cure of the Soul in the Orthodox Tradition
The Way of the Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer Journey―Annotated and Explained
Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth
Wisdom from Mount Athos: The Writings of Staretz Silouan
The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues His Way
Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father
Made for Union: The Sacramental Spirituality of St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain
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CATECHESIS LEVEL THREE - Fundamentals of the Ancient Faith (Beginner Orthodox Stage)
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The third level of catechesis is for when you have officially entered the Orthodox Church and are now living as an Orthodox Christian. It is important at this stage to be thoroughly grounded in the fundamentals of this ancient faith, and so I recommend reviewing such things as what the Gospel is, how to read and understand your Bible, and how this ancient faith really is the continuation of the religion of Israel in the Old Testament. This latter point will be demonstrated from Second Temple literature, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, proving to you that the Orthodox understanding of Scripture is what people did, in fact, believe at that time. And it is also at this stage where you will see how the Torah is still observed in its fullness within the Orthodox Church, that Orthodox Worship is the fulfillment of the liturgy of Moses from the Synagogue and Temple, and that all of this serves a much greater purpose than what we can see on the surface. That is, you will come to understand the unseen world and spiritual warfare, which is the battle we enter into after having received the Gospel, and thus your duty as an Orthodox Christian.
Arise O God: Christ's Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death
The Whole Counsel of God: How to Read and Understand Your Bible
The Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century
The Apocrypha: An Introduction to Extra-Biblical Literature
St. Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations
God is a Man of War: The Problem of Violence in the Old Testament
Welcoming Gifts: Sacrifice in the Bible
Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity with the Synagogue, the Temple, and the Early Church
The Lord of Spirits: An Orthodox Christian Framework for the Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare
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CATECHESIS LEVEL FOUR - Systematic Overview of Orthodoxy (Intermediate Orthodox Stage)
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After being thoroughly trained in the fundamentals of the faith, the fourth level of catechesis takes you through an overview of every aspect of the Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) has written a five volume set that is a detailed and systematic exposition of the history, canonical structure, doctrine, moral and social teaching, liturgical services, and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church. In these books, he seeks to present Orthodox Christianity as an integrated theological and liturgical system in which all elements are interconnected. Theology in the Orthodox Church is based on liturgical experience, and church art (including icons, singing, and architecture) is shaped by both theology and the liturgy. Practice and belief are intimately connected because how you worship defines what you believe, and what you believe will determine how you worship. In Latin this is called "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi", which translates literally to, "the law of prayer is the law of believing". Orthodoxy confesses itself to be the true faith in that the word "Orthodox" literally means "correct glory" or "right worship". The theology and services of the church therefore influence the ascetical practice and the personal piety of each Christian, and they shape the moral and social teaching of the Church. By going through this five volume set, you should have a grasp of every aspect of Orthodox Christianity working together as a whole.
Orthodox Christianity Volume I: The History and Canonical Structure of the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christianity Volume II: Doctrine and Teaching of the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christianity Volume III: The Architecture, Icons, and Music of the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christianity Volume IV: The Worship and Liturgical Life of the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christianity Volume V: Sacraments and Other Rites
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CATECHETICAL LEVEL FIVE - Liturgical and Scriptural Commentaries (Advanced Orthodox Stage)
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After the fundamentals and systematic overview of Orthodoxy, it is time to dive deep into the details. The fifth stage of catechesis moves into liturgical and scriptural commentaries, drawing upon the wealth of knowledge spanning across the entire history of the Church. You will look at both modern and patristic scholars and theologians as they comment on individual books, passages, and sections of the Holy Scriptures, as well as every single detail of the Divine Liturgy. If that wasn't enough, it is at this time that you will also go into the detailed accounts of all the lives of the saints, beginning with the Theotokos and Apostles themselves. While you should have been learning about the lives of the saints all along through your attendance of services and utilizing "A Daily Calendar of Saints" at home, this is where you have the opportunity to get their full, unabbreviated stories. Similarly, while you should be familiar with the Divine Liturgy and the Orthodox understanding of Scripture, this is the time for you to dig as deep as you are able to go.
The Orthodox Scripture Study Series
The Heavenly Banquet: Understanding the Divine Liturgy
Archbishop Averky's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament
The Divine Liturgy: A Commentary in Light of the Fathers
The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox
Grace for Grace: The Psalter and the Holy Fathers
St. Theophylact of Ochrid Commentary Set
The Orthodox Psalter with Commentary
The Orthodox New Testament with Commentary Vol. 1: The Holy Gospels
The Orthodox New Testament with Commentary Vol. 2: Acts, Epistles, and Revelation
The Life of the Virgin Mary, The Theotokos
The Lives of the Holy Apostles
The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints
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OTHER - Miscellaneous Recommended Books (can be read at anytime as they cover a wide range of topics)
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This final category is a compilation of books from various sources and time frames that can be read on an as needed basis. If you want to know what the early Church believed from its own writings, you can pick up The Didache, The Epistles of St. Ignatius of Antioch, or the first catechism written by St. Irenaeus. For a history lesson, look no further than Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History. As mentioned, St. John Chrysostom's Six Book on the Priesthood will help anyone struggling with the existence and roles of clergy, and these are further refined with books focusing on the minor orders of clergy and deaconesses. For the creation debate, Seraphim Rose has written an excellent book on the subject. For more detail on the controversy of St. Paul and his view of the Torah, an analysis of him in the second century will be helpful. If you're worried about St. John Chrysostom being antisemitic, there's also a book for that. Speaking of the Jews, it may be quite helpful for those of us in the Hebrew Roots movement to read Fr. Bernstein's journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity. Are you struggling with addiction? Check out Steps of Transformation! More info on the Sacraments? Fr. Alexander Schmemann is one of the best! Need a guide for liturgical practice? Bishop Irenei has a very helpful handbook. Marriage? Fr. Josiah Trenham is always a great source. Thirty Steps to Heaven makes the Ladder of Divine Ascent during Lent accessible for non-monastics, and the Daily Calendar of Saints is the perfect place to start in getting to know your extended family in the Church. So, whatever the topic or occasion, I hope that these will be as edifying for you as they were for me.
The Didache
The Epistles of St. Ignatius of Antioch
On the Apostolic Preaching
Eusebius: The Church History
Six Books on the Priesthood
The Minor Clergy: Their role and life according to the canons
Disappearing Deaconness: Why The Church Once Had Deaconnesses and Then Stopped Having Them
Genesis, Creation, and Early Man: The Orthodox Christian Vision (Free PDF)
Paul's "Works of the Law" in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception
John Chrysostom and the Jews: Rhetoric and Reality in the Late 4th Century
Surprised by Christ: : My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity
Steps of Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps
For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy
Liturgical Handbook for the Church Abroad: A Concise Handbook on Liturgical Practice
Enduring Love: Laying the Foundation for Christian Marriage
Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life
A Daily Calendar of Saints: A Synaxarion for Today's North American Church
There are many more titles to explore specific topics, both patristic and modern, classic and current. Generally speaking however, more advanced titles would include further source texts from the Church Fathers (see the Popular Patristics Series), or for the aspiring monastic, The Philokalia.