Systematic Catechetical Reading Levels
For those who are more serious and want to commit to a thorough and systematic study of Holy Orthodoxy beyond the provided links of the main page, 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 seven 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 the Orthodox Church, including its general beliefs and practices, and how we encounter God here. The first book is specifically for those within the Messianic movement, as it describes the journey and theological struggle for Fr. James Bernstein who grew up Orthodox Jewish, became Evangelical, and was involved with the start of Jews for Jesus and the early Messianic movement before finally discovering that the original Jewish believers were Orthodox Christians in both identity and theology (and that their physical descendants actually remain there today). Following this book, the the core beliefs and practices of Orthodoxy are introduced with greater depth, referencing both Scripture and the earliest witnesses we have outside of the Apostolic Writings to confirm for you their divine origin with Christ and His disciples (prepare to be as surprised as Fr. Bernstein). In addition to the classic titles introducing the Orthodox Church and the newer recommendations I suggest, The Orthodox Study Bible is included as a standard to begin reading and referencing as soon as possible.
Surprised by Christ: : My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity
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 - Fundamentals of the Ancient Faith (Beginner 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. It is important at this stage to be thoroughly grounded in the fundamentals of this ancient faith, and so I recommend going through 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 will be your duty as an Orthodox Christian. Finally, it will be important that, in addition to reading the Scriptures daily, you begin to gain familiarity with the entire family of God with a daily reading of the lives of the saints. A simply Synaxarion (A Daily Calendar of Saints) is therefore recommended. As you begin morning and evening prayer, a common practice is to read the appointed Scriptures for the day in the morning, and the saints commemorated for the next calendar day in the evening (remembering that the Biblical day begins at dawn).
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
A Daily Calendar of Saints: A Synaxarion for Today's North American Church
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CATECHESIS LEVEL THREE - Living the Orthodox Faith (Advanced Catechumen Stage)
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As you progress through your learning as a catechumen, 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 we now shift to a distinct focus on the spiritual life, where you will 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 in a suitable manner as prescribed by your spiritual father. 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 (Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy) 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. Along the same lines, one of the final books (One Flew Over the Onion Dome) takes a hard look at the real struggles of converting to Orthodoxy and living the true Orthodox life, so you are not under any false impressions after all of the reading and growing that has occurred during your catechesis. As the fundamentals must never be forgotten, I have also included the official catechism of the Orthodox Church in America (Essentials of Orthodox Christian Belief), and a second Orthodox translation of the Scriptures which contains valuable introductions and appendices covering key concepts and hot topics. Now, it must be mentioned that 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". 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)
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 Way of the Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer Journey―Annotated and Explained
One Flew Over the Onion Dome: : American Orthodox Converts, Retreads, and Reverts
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CATECHESIS LEVEL FOUR - The Orthodox Life (Beginner Orthodox Stage)
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While it may seem as if you had a significant journey during your catechesis, upon officially entering the Church and being baptized and chrismated as an Orthodox Christian, the intensity of your spiritual life is only going to further grow, especially as you make use of sacramental confession and partake of the Holy Eucharist for the nourishment of body and soul. The Beginner Orthodox Stage therefore continues where you left off in your catechumenate with an emphasis on prayer and the ascetical life. As mentioned, these things are adopted according to your life circumstances, and will be prescribed by your spiritual father in a manner best suited for your growth and healing. For example, one who is single will have more time and opportunity to pray, where as one who has to manage a household of several children will focus greater efforts upon their family, But when done in faithfulness to Christ, both of these scenarios are equally valid and edifying ways to grow as an Orthodox Christian and witness the truth of the Gospel to the world around you. Of note in the list below is the book "Thirty Steps to Heaven", which will guide you through Great Lent as a non-monastic Orthodox Christian (the full Ladder of Divine Ascent will be read later). The other noteworthy volume is the The Prologue of Ohrid, which has more extensive readings and reflections on the lives of the saints. After you have gone through "A Daily Calendar of Saints" for a couple years, this would be the next level of progression for your Synaxarion. Finally, please keep in mind that all remaining books in these lists should be approached simply as time permits or opportunity arises. As an Orthodox Christian you should now be spending more time praying and serving in your parish as opposed to strict book learning.
The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer
The Illness and Cure of the Soul in the Orthodox Tradition
Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth
For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy
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
Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life
The Prologue of Ohrid: Lives of Saints, Hymns, Reflections, and Homilies for Every Day of the Year
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CATECHESIS LEVEL FIVE - Systematic Overview of Orthodoxy (Intermediate Orthodox Stage)
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After being thoroughly trained in the fundamentals of the faith and the practical spirituality of the Orthodox life, the fifth 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. Furthermore, by reading it at this point in your journey, you should be connecting with the material on a very personal level now that you have spent several years inquiring, learning, and living within the Church. To read this set any earlier would rob you of this connection and relegate the details of the text to mere academic knowledge to be discarded soon after finishing. If you enjoy Metropolitan Hilarion's writings, then you can also read his catechism, his books on prayer, spirituality, and the legacy of St. Isaac the Syrian, or most importantly, his five volume set on Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching.
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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CATECHESIS LEVEL SIX - Liturgical and Scriptural Commentaries (Advanced Orthodox Stage)
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After the systematic overview of Orthodoxy and any other works by Metropolitan Hilarion, it is time to dive deep into the details. The sixth 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" or "The Prologue of Ochrid" 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. It must be emphasized at this point that in The Orthodox Church, no single writer is considered to be definitive. Orthodoxy looks rather at what we call the Patristic consensus; that is, the collective mind of the Orthodox Church. Many individual fathers have theological opinions (what we call theologoumena), and unlike the decisions of the ecumenical councils, these opinions are not considered to be dogma. This is in stark contrast to the west where Rome and much of Protestantism has taken a legalistic approach to things by striving to define every detail and then requiring you to believe it to the letter. But the Orthodox Church has never dogmatized what is not essential to salvation, and understands that theology is not supposed to be an intellectual exercise, but an experience of Christ. All that we learn is a means to an end, and that end is Christ and His transformation of our souls. In other words, we don't just want to intellectually know Christ, but we want to intimately know Him, experiencing His touch that heals the effects of our sins, and prepares us for a good and acceptable answer at His dread judgment. Theology is therefore meant to be practical and transformative, and all that the fathers write should help you in achieving this goal. In other words, do not get caught up in the details if you find something you may not agree with, but look instead at the big picture, consulting your spiritual father as needed for clarification.
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 Synaxarion: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church
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CATECHESIS LEVEL SEVEN - Patristics, Monasticism, and Mystical Spirituality (Master Class Orthodox Stage)
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Continueing the theme that theology in Holy Orthodoxy is practical and transformative, the master class of your Orthodox journey dives further into the mystical side of the Church by looking at the spirituality of the fathers throughout the ages. Vladimir Lossky's classic text is the perfect introduction to this section. Following this, the remaining books will draw your attention to the spiritual life you have been living, fueled by prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and all the holy mysteries of the Church. Prepare to go much deeper than you’ve been before as you revisit the Sacraments, read the full Ladder of Divine Ascent, and listen to the wisdom of the monastic fathers. The Popular Patristics Series is noteworthy in that it is 65 volumes of Patristic literature, homily collections, letters, spiritual guidance, and poetical works from a wide variety of geographical contexts and historical backgrounds within the Church. A master class in Orthodox theology would not be complete without referencing the Church Fathers directly, freshly translated primarily by Orthodox theologians, so that you may experience the collective mind of the Church from primary source material. These volumes should be read and referenced as needed in addition to the other texts, and alongside daily prayer and the yearly reading of the Holy Scriptures, should keep you more than occupied until the time of your repose.
The Mystical Theology of The Eastern Church
Made for Union: The Sacramental Spirituality of St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
The Life of Saint Symeon of Emesa, the Fool for Christ
The Philokalia
The Popular Patristics Series
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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. Are you struggling with addiction? Check out Steps of Transformation! Need a guide for liturgical practice? Bishop Irenei has a very helpful handbook. Marriage? Fr. Josiah Trenham is always a great source. 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
Steps of Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps
Liturgical Handbook for the Church Abroad: A Concise Handbook on Liturgical Practice
Enduring Love: Laying the Foundation for Christian Marriage
There are many more titles to explore specific topics, both patristic and modern, classic and current. For further recommendations, please speak to your sponsor or parish priest.