Best book I’ve read yet for the new convert to the Orthodox faith. I bought several to give as gifts. Very informative with loads of substance. To Christ Be The Glory!

Amazing!!!

As an Orthodox Christian and recovering Alcoholic, this book was therapeutically helpful to me by assuring me of the complementary nature between the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Orthodox Christian life. When I first began to recover in AA, I wondered if there was a conflict with my faith in the practice of the 12 steps and the participation in the meetings, especially as the 3rd step is "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him", which of course, allows for a completely subjective view of a "higher power". I was reassured and comforted by reading Father Meletios Webber's excellent examination of the 12 steps and their usefulness to any Orthodox Christian. He states it best in his introduction: pg 13 "...since each of the Twelve Steps can be shown to share some element in the thought and experience, the Scripture and prayer life, of the Orthodox Church, I hope to demonstrate that it is quite possible for Orthodox Christians to incorporate these Steps into their own lives in order to deepen their spiritual experience."

I am enjoying reading The Orthodox study bible. I have learned so much from the study notes and I recently discovered morning and evening prayers at the back of the book, so when I travel, I only need to bring one book!

Very good book.

My daughter and I are loving reading together. A great way to teach and spend time with her.

This book is very easy to read. Many relatable and helpful passages. I definitely recommend having it on your shelf. Would make a good gift for an expecting mother.

The Lightkeeper is one of those books that makes you wonder, “Why have I not read this a long time ago?!” Mystery, romance, a bit of spice, and time travel test the boundaries of love, and further test the boundaries of a person’s capacity to love, even in sheer uncertainty. The book’s introduction leaves the reader with much foreshadowing that would not be understood unless the book is fully read. With every reading, it almost establishes a connection with you, awaiting to tell you more and more with each twist and turn in the journey.
The unique thing about the Lightkeeper is how it speaks to the human need to feel loved by someone. I saw this love manifest in the relationship between Ronan and Aine, between Aine and Wisdom, and between Aine and the author herself. It’s one of those things that makes you want a love so poignant and deep, a love as mature yet young at heart, and yet one that stands the test of time, or in this case, the test of time-bending.
To truly understand the interaction between Aine and Wisdom, and all of what Wisdom says in the novel, one must rest his analytical mind for a moment, and take in the natural beauty of Wisdom as it is presented. Wisdom serves to be the backbone on which everything in the novel is established, and it is no surprise, for King Solomon said, “Wisdom has built her house,… She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” (Proverbs 9:1,3-4) and also Joshua son of Sirach mentions, “she [Wisdom] is created with the faithful in the womb. She made among men an eternal foundation, and among their descendants she will be trusted.” (Sirach 1:14b-15). This novel does a terrific job of displaying Wisdom as it is mentioned biblically, following the utmost Orthodox understanding of Wisdom while at the same time painting it in light of modern times, thus retaining its internal beauty while at the same time presenting it in most orthodox and canonical fashion.
“The Lightkeeper” by Sherry Shedoda stands to be a wonderful crossover between the worlds of fantasy, history, and the Orthodox faith in a lightness and humor never seen before and in a grave seriousness that makes the hearts wonder. Truly, after reading the book, one cannot help but feel that they lived a whole life with the characters, sharing their every pain and grief while at the same time laughing with them on the couch, facing the warm fireplace that gives the whole novel its warmth. Each detail in the book is described impeccably and with utmost care, as if Wisdom Herself arranged it all as Solomon himself declared. Each quote at the beginning of the chapter gives insight that is only understood after fully reading. And while you may ask yourself, my dear reader, what the whole purpose of such a novel is, I come here to tell you plainly that the novel’s goal is to turn the heart in pursuit of Wisdom, in spite of all the challenges.
I ask the author to forgive my weakness, since I was supposed to write this review since last May, 2021. A whole year and two months passed by me, this review in my mind and heart, awaiting the right moment. I thank God that I finally got around to writing this review as a testament that this book is one worthy of not just mere reading, but sincere understanding of its profound wisdom and beauty. May God bless this work for the glory of His Most Holy Name.

It's beautiful with large print, easy to read. Very nice.

Very wonderful book on the icons and Feastday of the Theotokos 🙏

Excellent!! A real blessing.

Very happy. Layout is easy to read, rubrics give good clear directions, nice pages to turn and no bleed through of text. Cover is light and easy to hold.

I’ll order more for our church bookstore. It’s a very informative gift for new visitors.

A excellent overview of the history of the Church. Perfect for inquirers, Catechumens, new converts, and all Orthodox Christians wishing to have a better understanding of the story of our Church.

I love it.

Isn't there an updated edition? These don't have Pascha dates past 2025. Otherwise just as expected.

This is an absolutely beautiful book. My kids (ages 7 and 5) just love it - and I do too! I'm so thankful this book exists...it is a perfect way for us to get to know these saints better! I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

Wonderful book. Not preachy, but has wonderful message. I bought two copies

If you've ever had difficulty with the "problem of evil" or in understanding some of the bizarre and violent things in the old testament, or if you just want a better understanding of what concepts like "sin" and "justice" mean in real life and how they affect us and our world, I can't recommend this book enough.

Great book - accessible to readers in this day and age. The Ladder of Ascent by St John Climacus was written for monks centuries ago and is hard reading for a lay person in this current century. We recently read this book in a study group and all agreed that it was very accessible for us today. Filled with practical advice and current anecdotes, this book was an excellent resource to grow my Orthodox wisdom and journey.