Archimandrite Pavel Stefanov

The Orthodox Church

An Introduction to its History, Doctrine, and Spiritual Culture

By: John Anthony McGuckin (Union Theological Seminary, New York)

Oxford, Blackwell, May 2008, 480 pages, 8 illustrations

http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/book.asp?ref=9781405150668

.

Description

At once a comprehensive study of Eastern Orthodoxy - its historical development and theology - The Orthodox Church is also an engaging assessment of Orthodoxy’s political role in today’s secularized Western world. Scholarly, timely, and always thought provoking, The Orthodox Church provides Orthodoxy with the long-awaited voice to engage in a meaningful dialog with contemporary Western culture.

• A major new full length study of the Orthodox Church written by one of the leading Orthodox historians and theologians of the English-speaking world
• The most comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Orthodox Church available, providing a detailed account of its historical development, as well as exploring Orthodox theology and culture
• Offers an in-depth engagement with the issues surrounding Orthodoxy’s relationship to the modern world, including political, cultural and ethical debates
• Considers the belief tradition, spirituality, liturgical diversity, and Biblical heritage of the Eastern Churches; their endurance of oppressions and totalitarianisms; and their contemporary need to rediscover their voice and confidence in a new world-order.

TopTable of Contents

Preface
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Note on Sources
Introduction: Strange Encounters
1 The Pilgrimage of the Orthodox through History
A Brief History of the Orthodox from the Apostolic Era to the Middle Ages
Perspectives of History
Earliest Christian Foundations
The Development of Ecclesiastical Centres
The Age of the Fathers
Creeds and Councils
East and West: The Parting of Ways
The Slavic Mission
The Organization of the Orthodox Churches from Medieval to Modern Times
The Extension of the Orthodox Church
Synopsis of the Organization of the Orthodox Churches
The Ancient Patriarchates
The Orthodox Church of Cyprus
The Church of Sinai
The Russian Orthodox Church (Patriarchate of Moscow)
The Wider Russian Heritage
The Orthodox Church of Greece
The Patriarchal Church of Bulgaria
The Patriarchal Church of Serbia
The Patriarchal Church of Romania
The Church of Georgia
The Church of Poland
The Church of Albania
The Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia
The Three Autonomous Orthodox Churches
The Various Orthodox Diaspora Communities
The Orthodox Church in America
2 The Orthodox Sense of Tradition
The Holy Tradition
Sources of Authority in Orthodoxy
Orthodoxy’s Reading of the Scriptures
An Ecclesial Reading
The Principle of Consonance
The Principle of Authority
The Principle of Utility
Patristic and Conciliar Authorities
The Symbolical Books
The Pedalion (Holy Canons)
Tradition and Revelation
3 The Doctrine of the Orthodox Church. I: The Glory of the Lord
The Christian God
The Holy Spirit
The Lord Jesus
The Immortal Father
The Holy Trinity
4 The Doctrine of the Orthodox Church. II: The Economy of Salvation
Humanity and its Sufferings
Salvation and the Call to Ascent
The Song of Creation
The Blessed Theotokos: Joy of All Creation
The Dance of the Blessed: The Angels and the Saints
Outside the Gates: Demonology and the Enigma of Evil
The Church: Bride of the Lamb
5 The Holy Mysteries and Liturgies
Greater and Lesser Mysteries:
The Mystery of Baptism
The Mystery of Chrismation
The Mystical Supper: Communion in the Holy Eucharist
The Eucharistic Liturgy
The Mystery of Metanoia
The Mystery of the Great Anointing
The Mystery of Marriage
The Mysteries of Ordination
The Lesser Blessings of the Church
The Services of Prayer
The Trisagion Prayers
The Daily Offices
Personal Prayers
Traditions of Orthodox Prayer and Spirituality
Methods of Prayer
The Prayer of the Heart
The Jesus Prayer
Hesychasm
Fasting and Feasting
The Holy Icons: Doors to the Kingdom
Sacred Art
The Orthodox Vocabulary of Worship
Icons and Iconoclasm
Icons of the Lord
Icons of the Virgin
Icons of the Saints
6 ‘The God-Beloved Emperor’: Orthodoxy’s Political Imagination
Caesaro-Papist Caricatures
Byzantine Models of Godly Rule
The Ambiguity of Scriptural Paradigms of Power
The Concept of the Priestly King
Dominion as an Apostolic Charism
Patristic Ideas on Symphonia
New Polities in the Aftermath of Byzantium
7 Orthodoxy and the Contemporary World
The Poor at the Rich Man’s Gate
The Grace of Peace and the Curse of War
Freedom in an Unfree World
A New Status for Women
Biological and Other New Ethical Environments
Sexual Ethics and Pastoral Care
Ecumenism and the Reconciliation of the Churches
Religious Pluralism in the Global Village
Evangelism in a New Millennium
Glossary of Orthodox Terminology
Select Bibliography
Index