Church History

• A History of the Orthodox ChurchThe Church from Pentecost through the centuries.
• Orthodoxy in AmericaHow Orthodoxy came to North America and grew here.
• Orthodoxy in the WorldThe Orthodox Churches of the world today.

Feasts of the Church

• The Feast of Feasts - PaschaThe Resurrection of Christ, the brightest feast of the Christian year.
• The Twelve Great FeastsThe great feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, from her Nativity to her Dormition.
• Various Other FeastsOther important feasts, such as the Circumcision and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

Orthodox Dogma and Doctrine

• Holy TraditionThe living continuity of faith handed down from the Apostles.
• The BeatitudesChrist's Beatitudes as a ladder of virtues, one step at a time.
• The Christian EthicThe Sermon on the Mount and the new life it calls us to.
• The Mother of GodThe place of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary in Orthodox faith and prayer.
• The Symbol of FaithThe Nicene Creed, its history and what each part confesses.
• The Ten CommandmentsThe Law given at Sinai and its meaning for Christians.

Orthodox Icons

• Holy IconsWhat icons are and why they hold such a central place in Orthodox churches.
• Icon Not-Made-By-HandsThe story of one of the earliest icons of Christ, sent to King Abgar.
• Icons of the Mother of GodWell-known icons of the Theotokos and the days they are honored.

Orthodox Monasticism

• The Monastic GradesThe three steps of monastic life, from novice to the Great Schema.
• The Monastic TonsureHow monasticism began and what the monastic tonsure means.

Orthodox Prayer

• Communing with God in PrayerPrayer as the way the Christian lives in communion with God.
• The Church's Prayer for the DeadHow and when the Church prays for her departed children.

Orthodox Scripture

• The Holy BibleAn introduction to the Old and New Testaments.
• The New TestamentA short guide to each book of the New Testament.
• The Old TestamentA short guide to each book of the Old Testament.
• The Old Testament ApocryphaThe additional books found in the Orthodox Bible.
• Used in ChurchThe Epistle and Gospel readings appointed through the Church year.
• Where to FindPsalms and passages to turn to in times of special need.

Orthodox Symbolism

• The CrossThe meaning of the Cross, the central sign of the Christian faith.
• The Other SymbolsMonograms, the Chi Rho and other Christian symbols explained.

Orthodox Worship

• FastingWhy the Church fasts, and how fasting serves prayer and the spiritual life.
• Fasting RulesWhat the Typikon asks on fast days, and how the rules follow the Church calendar.
• Fasting Seasons and DaysThe four fasting seasons and the single fast days of the Church year.
• Glossary of Liturgical TermsShort explanations of the words you will hear in Orthodox services.
• Great Lent and PaschaThe journey through Great Lent and Holy Week to the Feast of Feasts.
• Liturgical BooksThe books used in Orthodox services: Gospel, Apostol, Psalter and more.
• Liturgical GesturesThe sign of the Cross, bows, prostrations and other ways we pray with the body.
• Liturgical MusicWhy Orthodox prayers are sung, and the tradition of church singing.
• Services of the Daily CycleVespers, Matins, the Hours and the other services that sanctify each day.
• The Divine LiturgyThe Church's central service, from its origin at the Last Supper to today.
• The Five CyclesThe cycles of a lifetime, the year, the week and the day in Orthodox worship.

Sacraments of the Church

• Church MysteriesWhat the Sacraments are: visible signs of invisible grace.
• Holy BaptismThe Mystery by which we are born again of water and the Spirit.
• Holy ChrismationThe seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, given right after Baptism.
• Holy CommunionThe Body and Blood of Christ, the center of the Church's life.
• Holy MatrimonyThe Orthodox understanding of marriage and the wedding service.
• Holy OrdersBishops, priests and deacons, and the minor orders that serve the Church.
• Holy RepentanceConfession, and how the Church receives the repentant.
• Holy UnctionThe anointing of the sick for healing of soul and body.

The Church Building and Its Servers

• The Altar and Its FurnishingsThe Holy Table and what is kept in the altar.
• The BellsWhy bells ring for Orthodox services, and how.
• The Candles and Their SymbolismWhat lit candles and icon lamps mean in worship.
• The Church BuildingThe shape and parts of an Orthodox church and what they signify.
• The ClergyThe orders of clergy and the vestments of each.
• The IconostasisThe icon screen between the altar and the nave, and its icons.
• The Sacristy and VestryThe Table of Oblation and the rooms where the clergy prepare.