Five years ago, when my family and I converted to Orthodoxy, I had trouble clearly explaining our move to my traditional Catholic friends. It wasn't just a matter of trading Popes for Patriarchs, or Rome for Constantinople & Moscow, but a more fundamental difference, a richness in thought, and an altered view of sin and salvation. "Give me a book to read!" they would ask, "Something to explain it all." I could recommend a couple of titles, but everything ultimately came up short; my friends were left baffled and confused. "Just come and see," I would beg, inviting them, full of earnest hope, to Vespers or Divine Liturgy. 

What I didn't fully understand then, but could vaguely sense, is thoroughly described here in Dr. Contantinou's book, "Thinking Orthodox." There is a different mindset, an Orthodox phronema, that stands in stark contrast to the Western mode of thought. Dr. Constantinou goes into great detail, melding the historical and the practical, to help us understand and appreciate this mindset. She also challenges us to further develop our Orthodox phronema throughout our lives by immersing ourselves in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, by developing a strong prayer life, and observing the cycle of fasts and feasts. 

This topic could easily get bogged down in theology and complicated terms, but Dr. Constantinou has produced a work that is both profound and easy to understand. This would be an excellent choice for a parish-based book discussion group, or for older teens/college-aged folk to work through together. It's an invaluable tool for converts and cradle Orthodox alike, as we all strive together to grow closer to God and to conform our minds and lives to Christ.

I bought several, two for myself and some to give as gifts. One I use to frame the icons as gifts. One that I gave to my daughter was used it to cut around the images, laminate them and they are placed all around her dining room, beautiful!

I bought 3, 1 for myself and 2 as gifts. I enjoyed reading the entries at the top as I read several in anticipation of starting this in the New Year. The 2 recipients of this Nativity gift seemed genuinely pleased in the beauty of the messages and also plan to use it in the New Year!

Five years ago, when my family and I converted toOrthodoxy, I had trouble clearly explaining our move to my traditional Catholic friends. It wasn't just a matter of trading Popes for Patriarchs, or Rome for Constantinople & Moscow, but a more fundamental difference, a richness in thought, and an altered view of sin and salvation. "Give me a book to read!" they would ask, "Something to explain it all." I could recommend a couple of titles, but everything ultimately came up short; my friends were left baffled and confused. "Just come and see," I would beg, inviting them, full of earnesthope, to Vespers or Divine Liturgy.

What I didn't fully understand then, but could vaguely sense, is thoroughly described here in Dr. Constantinou's book, "Thinking Orthodox." There is a differentmindset, an Orthodox phronema, that stands in stark contrast to the Western mode of thought. Dr. Constantinou goes into great detail, melding the historical and the practical, to help us understand and appreciate this mindset. She alsochallenges us to further develop our Orthodox phronema throughout our lives by immersing ourselves in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, by developing a strong prayer life, and observing the cycle of fasts and feasts.

This topic could easily get bogged down in theology and complicated terms, but Dr. Constantinou has produced a work that is both profound and easy to understand. This would be an excellent choice for a parish-based book discussion group, or for older teens/college-aged folk to work through together. It's an invaluable tool for converts and cradle Orthodox alike, as we all strive together to grow closer to God and to conform our minds and lives to Christ.

I was not sure Gabriel Wilson was going to be able to pull it off again — to write a story that keeps one hooked through the whole thing, to bring tears to one’s heart and eyes, and bolsters greater resolve to serve Christ our King — but he has. This story is a bit slower and more mature than The Cross and the Stag, being concerned with devotion through virginity, betrothal, and instruments of torture, but it still treat everything very respectfully and is appropriate for older children to adults. What is so especially encouraging is the subtleness of emotion and joy seen in the illustrations, the movement one can see in the characters as they turn to repentance, and the simple, direct, and beautiful text of the thoughts, speeches, and descriptions in the story. One can feel, see, and hear the events as they unfold. Greatest of all, is that one perceives a connection to the Saint depicted and to the God we all serve, and by the courage and peace seen therein, we are strengthened to worship the One Lord until the end of our days and no matter what may befall us. Glory to God and St Catherine, pray for us!

Beautiful. Meant so much to my 9 yr old son.

I would recommend this book to everyone. It opened my eyes to things I had not given much thought too. So much so that I have met with my priest and discussed starting a ministry in our parish this year.

These were beautiful and appreciated by all!

These were beautiful an appreciated by all.

The story of Saint Katherine is so inspiring. Our family loves this book and the artwork in it!

Beautiful and quality cards!

A perfect gift for (or from) any Katherine! I’ll be buying more to give as gifts :)

I think it's reasonable to say that anyone who converts to Orthodoxy should mostly stick to reading Scripture, the Lives of the Saints, and some of the basic, foundational texts of the Church before working through the newer, untested stuff but this book is one of the exceptions. This is a much needed resource for those of us coming from Western Christianity and Secularism in helping us not get in the way of letting the Church reshape our minds and redirect our actions. From the way we try to theologize on social media to how we read books and engage with other parishioners there are so many traps we are wont to fall into but as St. Anthony recounts, we can avoid those traps only with humility and this book is all about helping us more quickly establish an Orthodox Phronema through humility.

I think it's reasonable to say that anyone who converts to Orthodoxy should mostly stick to reading Scripture, the Lives of the Saints, and some of the basic, foundational texts of the Church before working through the newer, untested stuff but this book is one of the exceptions. This is a much needed resource for those of us coming from Western Christianity and Secularism in helping us not get in the way of letting the Church reshape our minds and redirect our actions. From the way we try to theologize on social media to how we read books and engage with other parishioners there are so many traps we are wont to fall into but as St. Anthony recounts, we can avoid those traps only with humility and this book is all about helping us more quickly establish an Orthodox Phronema through humility.

Very informative

Beautiful and Inspiring Icon Selections

I find the more appropriate than what you would find in a store. And you can't beat the price. Thank you for providing them for us.

Very beautiful

Understandable and reasonable.

Reads like a travel log. Fascinating to see how the places have (or not) changed over the many years.