A RECOMMENDED READING LIST

  from Fr. Michael Shanbour

Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church

 In alphabetical order according to title

 Titles asterisked (*) are recommended for catechetical purposes.
 Double asterisks (**) denote writings and Lives of Saints which
are particularly inspiring and instructional

Title Author Publisher Description

5.      An Englishman Christine Benagh Conciliar Press, Very interesting story of the
in the Court of the Ben Lomond, CA last Russian Tzar and family
Tsar from the perspective of the
children’s tutor.
6.      An Unbroken Ed., Fr. Paisius Brotherhood of Lectures delivered at the
Circle: Linking Altschul St. Moses the annual African American
Ancient African Black, St. Louis, Conference in Kansas
Christianity to the MO City. Very interesting articles,
African American particularly on the orthodox
Experience* (for spirituality of the Black
African- American slaves.
Americans)
10.  Beginning to Anthony Bloom Paulist Press, NY Excellent introduction to
Pray* Prayer.
11.  Beloved   St. Herman of Biography on the
Sufferer, The Life Alaska extraordinary and miraculous,
and Mystical Brotherhood crippled nun Macaria.
Revelations of a
Russian Eldress:
Schemanun
Macaria
20.  Facing East: A Fredricka   Very good introductory
Pilgrim’s Journey Matthews- explanation of Orthodox
into the Mystery Greene Christianity and the change of
of Orthodoxy* perspective required to
(esp. for women) understand it.  Especially good
for women.
23.  From Earth to New Valaam St. Herman Outstanding, inspirational,
Heaven: The Monastery, Press easy-to-read, biography of St.
Apostolic Alaska Innocent of Alaska.
Adventures of St.
Innocent of
Alaska**
27.  Holy Fire, The: Robert Payne St. Vladimir’s Although written by a non-
The Story of the Seminary Press, Orthodox novelist and includes
Early Centuries of Crestwood, NY the biographies of a couple
the Christian non-Saints, it truly brings the
Church in the Saints to life in biographical
Near East story form.
St. Innocent of New Sarov Wonderful practical
Alaska Press, Blanco, presentation of the Christian
 TX faith from one of the first
29.  Indication of the Saints canonized in America.
Way into the
Kingdom of
Heaven*
30.  Let the Little   Saint John A collection of the lives of pre-
Children Come to Chrysostomos teen and teenaged Christian
Me: Stories of Greek Orthodox martyrs.
Children Martyrs Monastery,
Pleasant Prairie,
WI
36.  Mere C.S. Lewis Macmillan Excellent apologetic for
Christianity* (for Publishing (and traditional Christianity and its
agnostics or others) basic doctrines.
athieistic readers)
41.  Mother Gavrilia,   Eptalofos SA The moving biography of a
The Ascetic of contemporary woman saint
Love** (died 1992) who ministered on
several continents including
India.
46.  Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Penguin Books One of the Best introductions
Church, The* and Ware to the Orthodox Church, Her
** history and faith.
54.  Paternal Trans. by Fr. St. John of Simple spiritual advice from a
Counsels, Elder Nicholas Palis Kronstadt Press, contemporary holy father.
Philotheos Liberty, TN
Zervakos (Vol 1)
57.  Raising Them St. Theophan the Conciliar Press, Very practical advise on how
Right, A Saints Recluse Ben Lomend, CA to nuture a child to love God
Advice on Raising and the Church from infancy
Children* through teenage years.
59.  Saints of Vladimir Moss, Eastern Lives of the early Saints from
Englands Golden B.A., Ph.D Christian Supply Orthodox England (A collection
Age Co., Etna, CA is also available for the Saints
of Ireland)
63.  St. Innocent, Paul D. Garrett St. Vladimir’s An excellent historical
Apostle to Seminary Press, biography which takes one
America Crestwood, NY through the life of St. Innocent
and his missionary work in
Alaska.
69.  Arena, The** St. Ignatius Printshop of St. For a serious (advanced)
Brianchaninov Job of Pchaev, reader looking for spiritual
Holy Trinity guidance on the life of prayer
Monastery, and ascetism.
Jordanville, NY
71.  Life of our Holy Trans. by Father Holy Wonderful biography of this
Father Maximus Christopher Transfiguration amazing Church Father.
the Confessor, Birchall Monastery,
The Boston, MA
73.  Two Paths* Michael Whelton Regina The best book on Orthodoxy
(Catholic only) Orthodox Press vs. Roman
Catholicism. Written by a
former Roman Catholic.