Facing east : a pilgrim's journey into the mysteries of Orthodoxy

by Frederica Mathewes-Green

1997

Publication

HarperSanFrancisco, c1997.

Status

Available

Description

The Classic Story of a Family's Pilgrimage into the Orthodox Church Veiled in the smoke of incense, the Eastern Orthodox Church has long been an enigma to the Western world. Yet, as Frederica Mathewes-Green discovered, it is a vital, living faith, rich in ritual beauty and steadfast in integrity. Utilizing the framework of the Orthodox calendar, Mathewes-Green chronicles a year in the life of her small Orthodox mission church, eloquently illustrating the joys and blessings an ancient faith can bring to the worshipers of today.

User reviews

LibraryThing member foggidawn

In this memoir, Mathewes-Green describes her family's conversion from Episcopal to Eastern Orthodox. She describes the events of a single year shortly after their conversion. This approach gives readers a good feel for the rhythms of the Orthodox faith, touching on all major feasts of the church as

well as introducing a vibrant cast of secondary characters that surround the Mathewes-Green family at their little parish. This book is a good introduction to Orthodoxy for those who are interested in the joys and challenges of a personal story of conversion. Pair it with The Orthodox Church by Ware for a more comprehensive understanding of Orthodox theology.

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