LITURGICAL TEXTS AND HOLY SCRIPTURES
Prayer Corner / Home Altar
The following are recommended copies of the Holy Scriptures, including text only editions, reference editions, and full study editions, presented and bound in a variety of formats. The rest are lists of liturgical books, including prayers books and psalters for your home use, as well as full size clerical books used during the Divine Liturgy by the various orders of clergy if you would like to study the liturgical texts in detail yourself, or wish to have a more elaborate set up at home.
As mentioned, I recommend for the beginner to start with the morning and evening prayers in the back of the Orthodox Study Bible. For the minor hours during the day, my favourite presentation of them is found within the Orthodox Christian Prayer Book released by New Rome Press. However, once you join a certain jurisdiction, it is important to use their specific texts so that you memorize the language common to the services you will be attending (this is especially important if you are ever tonsured as a Reader, the first minor clerical rank on the way to priesthood). Please pay attention to the jurisdiction markings when available (i.e. AOCA, OCA, ROCOR, etc.)
These texts should be part of your Home Altar or Prayer Corner. To learn about how to build one of these, please click here. Your Home Altar is the New Covenant fulfillment of the Jerusalem Temple, and an extension of your local Orthodox Church (whose liturgy combines that of both the Temple and Synagogue together). It is literally what Christ meant when He said that there will be a time when people will no longer worship on either Mt. Gerizim or the Temple Mount (John 4:21-23). The fullness of what was once foreshadowed in the Jerusalem Temple and its liturgy is now accessible to all nations and peoples in each Orthodox Diocese under the local Bishop with his Presbyters and Deacons. Therefore, when you approach either your Home Altar or local Orthodox Parish, you should do so with the idea that you are approaching the Tabernacle or Temple of the Torah, but with an even greater fullness and revelation. The emphasis on iconography is because icons were commanded by God in the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 25:18-20, 26:1, 36:35; 1 Kings 6:23-36), but since Christ plundered hades after His death, the saints of both covenants now take their place alongside the angels, ruling and reigning with Christ in the heavenly tabernacle as part of the Divine Council (Psalm 82:1, 6; Luke 20:35-36; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12). Thus, while the Old Covenant only had depictions of angels in its iconography, the New Covenant includes the saints who have died in Christ as well.
Similar to the Catechetical Texts on the previous page, the Holy Scripture and Liturgical books listed here are generally presented in an order of beginner to advanced. Please keep that in mind as you browse.
Finally, it should be mentioned that these are your weapons of warfare in the spiritual battle, and that your prayer corner is your base of operations (your local Orthodox Temple would be your primary headquarters that you report to). Therefore, the selection and use of these books is no small matter! They are essential tools in the salvation of your soul and the intercession for those around you. Collect them, study them, and use them on a daily basis! The results will be utterly transformative (Romans 12:1-2).
Abbreviation Guide
OCA - Orthodox Church in America (the original American mission of the Holy Orthodox Church)
ROCOR - Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (Russians who escaped the Soviet Union in the diaspora and did not join the OCA)
AOCA - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America (Antiochians who transferred from the jurisdiction of the OCA mission to the Patriarch of Antioch when the Communist revolution took part in Russia and the mission was no longer able to support the Antiochians adequately)
------------------------------------
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES - Text, Reference, and Study Editions
------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
English Standard Version with Apocrypha (ESV-A)
SPCK Text Edition (Cloth Hardcover)
SPCK Text Edition (Leatherette Hardcover)
Anglican Liturgy Press Deluxe Pew Bible Text Edition (Deluxe Hardcover)
Cambridge Diadem Reference Edition with Apocrypha (Hardcover)
Cambridge Diadem Reference Edition with Apocrypha (Calfsplit or Calfskin Leather Options)
Schuyler ESV Quentel with Apocrypha (Calfskin or Goatskin Leather Options)
--------------------------------
The Orthodox Study Bible
---------------------------------------------
-New Testament and Psalms Edition-
---------------------------------------------
Hardcover Edition
Genuine Leather Edition
-----------------
-Full Edition-
-----------------
Nelson Hardcover Edition
Nelson Black Bonded Leather Edition
Nelson Red Genuine Leather Limited Edition
Ancient Faith Hardcover Edition
Ancient Faith Leathersoft Edition
New Nelson Leathersoft Edition
New Nelson Genuine Leather Edition (currently unavailable)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexham English Septuagint (LES) and Eastern-Orthodox Bible New Testament (EOB-NT)
LES Hardcover
EOB-NT Softcover
New Rome Press EOB-NT Pocket Edition
New Rome Press LES-EOB Reader's Edition (Codex Size)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brenton Septuagint with Apocrypha and The Orthodox New Testament (Holy Apostles Convent)
Brenton LXX Hardcover
The Orthodox New Testament (HAC) Pocket Edition (One Volume Text Only)
The Orthodox New Testament (HAC) Vol.1 - The Gospels with Commentary (Full Size)
The Orthodox New Testament (HAC) Vol.2 - Acts, Epistles, and Revelation with Commentary (Full Size)
-------------------------------
LITURGICAL BOOKS
-------------------------------
------------------------
Ancient Faith Store
The Ancient Faith Prayer Book (Burgundy Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Prayer Book (Green Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Prayer Book (Deluxe Leatherette)
The Ancient Faith Psalter (Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Psalter (Large Print Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Psalter (Deluxe Leatherette)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Ignatius Orthodox Press / Legacy Icons Compact Liturgical Set
Pocket Prayer Book
Anthologion Prayer Book
Orthodox Lectionary Bible
The Holy Gospel (EOB)
The Holy Apostle (EOB)
The Holy Psalter
The Prophetologion
---------------------
New Rome Press
Orthodox Christian Prayer Book (Full Size)
Orthodox Christian Prayer Book (Pocket Size)
Orthodox Christian Prayer Book (Travel Edition)
Light of the World: Prayers to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Mother of Light: Prayers to the Theotokos
The Liturgikon: Greek and English (Analogion Size)
Divine and Sacred Gospel: English Only Edition (EOB - Altar Size)
Divine and Sacred Gospel: Greek and English (EOB - Altar Size)
---------------------------------
Antiochian Village (AOCA)
---------------
-The Basics-
---------------
A Pocket Prayerbook for Orthodox Christians
The Divine Liturgy: Paperback
The Divine Liturgy: Coil (Bilingual)
Western Rite Service Book
----------------------
-Special Services-
----------------------
Services of Initiation
The Service of Holy Unction
Funeral Service Book
-----------------------------------
-Clerical and Temple Books-
-----------------------------------
The Service Book of the Holy Orthodox Church (Hapgood) - (Free PDF)
Divine Prayers and Services (Nassar)
The Liturgikon: Service Book for Priest and Deacon
Services of Great and Holy Week and Pascha
The Book of the Epistles
The Divine and Holy Gospel Book
----------------------------------------------------
St. Andrew's Lancelot Press (Western Rite)
St. Ambrose Prayer Book
The Book of Common Prayer
The Monastc Diurnal
Orthodox Missal
American Altar Missal
--------------------------------
Other Western Rite Books
The Saint Ambrose Hymnal
The Saint Colman Prayer Book
The Liturgy of Saint John The Divine: The Original Orthodox Liturgy of the British Isles
--------------------------------------------
St. Tikhon's Monastery Press (OCA)
---------------
-The Basics-
---------------
-Current OCA Use-
Orthodox Christian Prayers: Essentials Edition
Orthodox Christian Prayers: Standard Edition
Vespers and Divine Liturgy: Service Book of the Faithful
Orthodox Christian Canons and Prayers (currently unavailable)
The Holy Psalter: Pocket Edition (currently unavailable)
-Older Translations-
Orthodox Daily Prayers, Hours & Typica (Revised Liturgical English [Old OCA Translation])
The Orthodox Prayer Book (Svit) (Old Style Liturgical English [Pre-OCA Metropolia Translation])
----------------------
-Special Services-
----------------------
Baptism
Service for the Reception of Converts
If We Confess Our Sins: Preparation and Prayers
Holy Matrimony
For the Sick and Suffering
Panikhida & Funeral Service Book
Matins
The Services of Christmas - The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Forgiveness Sunday Vespers
The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete: For Reader and Choir
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
The Feast of Palms
The Bridegroom Services of Holy Week
Holy Friday Matins
Matins of Holy Saturday
Great and Holy Saturday
The Paschal Service
The Vespers of Pascha
The Vespers of Pentecost
-----------------------------------
-Clerical and Temple Books-
-----------------------------------
Common Book of Church Hymns: Great Vespers
Common Book of Church Hymns: Sunday Matins (currently unavailable)
Common Book of Church Hymns: Divine Liturgy
The Festal Menaion
The Lenten Triodion: 2nd Edition
The Holy Psalter: Full Size Edition
The Divine Liturgies: Altar Size (Old Edition)
The Horologion: Book of Hours
The Hieratikon Vol I: Office Book for Priest and Deacon
The Hieratikon Vol II: Liturgy Book
The Hieratikon Vol II: Revised Version
The Hieratikon Vol II: Altar Size
An Abridged Typicon
The Small Book of Needs: Third Edition (currently unavailable)
The Great Book of Needs: Volume 1 (currently unavailable)
The Great Book of Needs: Volume 2 (currently unavailable)
The Great Book of Needs: Volume 3 (currently unavailable)
The Great Book of Needs: Volume 4 (currently unavailable)
The Synaxarion: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church
The Holy Apostol
The Holy Gospel
The Archieratikon (currently unavailable)
------------------------------------------
Holy Trinity Monastery (ROCOR)
---------------
-The Basics-
---------------
Jordanville Prayer Book
A Psalter for Prayer: Pocket Edition
Prayer Book and Psalms: Pocket Edition
----------------------
-Special Services-
----------------------
The Order of Holy Baptism
The Order of Small Compline and Evening Prayers
The Rule for Holy Communion: Canons, Order of Preparation, and Prayers After Holy Communion
The Order of Holy Matrimony: Translated from the Book of Needs
The Order of Moleben and the Panakhida
The Funeral Service of the Laity
Book for the Commemoration of the Living and the Dead
The Great Canon: The Work of St. Andrew of Crete
The Twelve Passion Gospels
Service, Akathist, Life, and Miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
-----------------------------------
-Clerical and Temple Books-
-----------------------------------
A Psalter for Prayer: Full Size Edition
The Book of Akathists Volume I
The Book of Akathists Volume II
The Unabbreviated Horologion or Book of the Hours
The All Night Vigil for Choir and Laity
The Divine Liturgy for Choir and Laity
Clergy Service Book: The All Night Vigil
Clergy Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Parallel Service Book: The All Night Vigil
Parallel Service Book: The Presanctified Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints Gregory the Dialogist
Parallel Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints John Chrysostom
Parallel Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints Basil the Great
Parallel Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints James the Brother of the Lord
The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints
Classic Orthodox Bible
Prophetologion
Apostol
Lenten Lectionary
Gospel Book
----------------------------------------
Holy Transfiguration Monastery
---------------
-The Basics-
---------------
Pocket Prayer Book
Pocket Hours
Pocket Psalter
-----------------------------------
-Clerical and Temple Books-
-----------------------------------
Full Size Psalter
Horologion Vol. 1
Horologion Vol. 2
Octoechos
Menaion
Triodion
Holy Week
Holy Week and Pascha (English)
Pentecostarion
---------
-Other-
---------
Ladder of Divine Ascent
Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian
Symeon of Emesa, Saint
----------------------------
Holy Apostles Convent
The Psalter (Pocket Size)
The Psalter with Commentary (Full Size)
The Apostolos: Epistle Lectionary (Altar Size)
The Evangelion: Gospel Lectionary (Altar Size)
The Great Synaxaristes
