This is a great reference book. Each Psalm is individually analyzed which is perfect for those teaching the Psalms or preaching on a Psalm. It isn't a book one would read page by page, but rather a book one would go to for insight into A particular Psalm.

A wonderful way to start each day by reading the observations of this Orthodox priest. Thoughtful, wise and helpful are his comments. To head your day in the right direction, check out Abbot Tryphon's writings.

An excellent presentation of the Orthodox understanding of the gospel message. As a non-denominational Christian and former Catholic I had great difficulty understanding the Orthodox beliefs until I read this book. The Orthodox teaching has helped me to better understand the new spiritual life we received from Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Previously, I had focused more on the atonement and forensic aspects of salvation, not understanding the work that has been done inside those born again.

Fabulous book. Have read it at least 4 times and still continuing to process and grow. Will
probably read it again soon. My adult children (early 20's) are now into their 2nd and 3rd readings.

Wisdom is foolishness without God. You can not have any sense of reality, truth, or right and wrong without God in the equation.

I have skimmed through to get a sneak peak and I am looking forward to reading this during Holy Week . . .

This book is great. The actual text is right in the book so you are not constantly flipping back and forth. The explanations of the various Greek words etc. Is helpful as well. Finally, the author puts the text in cultural context for that time, making everything more rich and come alive.

Very clear and easy to understand.

I'm a Presbyterian, but love the Orthodox teachings. This little book gives me a nice daily devotion.

There's a lot to love in this little volume, and particularly in the gorgeous illustrations by Ms. Gilbert. Drawn and painted with what looks like painstaking care, the illustrator has truly captured the beauty, simplicity, and sacredness of the Divine Liturgy. Even as an adult, I found myself deeply drawn into the rich images that accompany the prayerful text.

The text itself is broken down into small, child-friendly snippets, featuring highlights from the Divine Liturgy and the prayers one prays before and after the service. I really liked the color-coded sections, which for the first time helped me make sense of the order of the Divine Liturgy. I also enjoyed the section identifying the priests' garments, the clergy, and the items on the altar. All in all, an indispensable, beautiful, and very readable guide for children of diverse ages. Highly recommend if you have kids or know someone with kids.

Thank you!

I have to admit to a bit of a bias -- Father James, known to me as "Arnie" is my uncle by marriage. This book was fascinating to me because of all the family stories in it -- feels strangely delightful to read a book about YOUR OWN family and actually intimately know the people being talked about and the stories.

The book helped to answer for me some of the struggles I had in understanding why Arnie and my aunt Bonnie (aka, Kh. Martha) turned away from the Evangelical Christian mindset I knew them to be in from my childhood, to Orthodox Christianity. This seemed totally perplexing to me -- if not downright idolatrous, for all of the kissing and bowing to icons. I was staying with them in Berkeley in the summer of 1975, working with the Christian World Liberation Front (CWLF) street theatre when CWLF essentially broke up with approximately half of members wanting to stay with their Evangelical, quasi-hippie/socialist roots and the other half wanting to pursue Christian Orthodoxy. It was a very turbulent time at CWLF and since I had been a sort of member (mascot? Ha) of CWLF since about the age of 8, it was distressing and confusing for me at the age of 14 to see CWLF come to an end over this issue. Now in large part because of this book, I have a much better understanding of why Bonnie and Arnie and other friends went this route and while I can't imagine ever choosing it for myself, I respect and admire them for their faith and conviction and for Arnie's unsurpassed ability to explain these very complex topics in relatively understandable ways.

Edit on July 17, 2024: I am sad to report that uncle Arnie Bernstein (Father A. James Bernstein) passed away at the age of 78 on June 17, 2024. He is very much missed but I'm sure he's enjoying reunions in heave with other friends and relatives who passed on before.

This is an awesome reflection on the practice great monastic classic to contemporary

Received my lamp and hanger yesterday and was very pleased with it's size, weight and finish...PERFECT for my prayer/icon corner !

Just received this icon and its' mate (set ) and all I can say is JUST BEAUTIFUL !!!

I am a new Catachumen in the Orthodox church. This book opened to me so many joyful possibilities. I love Father Freeman's writing. It has really helped my understanding of Orthodoxy (or rather understanding how limited we are in the face of mystery:) Beautiful book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

this book I have much to say! This is very interesting because a Presbytera writes her experiences she has had when she visits the monastery not only that! it was a miracle in my life! one I always go to saint Anthonys monastery in Arizona and my twin had told me about this book and that it had great stories in it too many miracles! well I had bumped into a wonderful Geronda at the monastery who was visiting from Mount athos and I didn't know at the time who he was but yet many people flocked to see him and it was the day before we and my group were to leave the monastery and head home and I prayed God please let me be able to know what is so special about this monk this Geronda who came to America from Mount Athos to visit his Geronda Ephraim. Well that day I bought this book and left and we had headed back home! well I couldn't stop reading this book this book is very addicting needless to say! Finally I stumbled in SHOCK!!! I seen there in this one chapter!!! <3 GERONDA ISIDOROS 70 YEAR OLD MONK A BLIND MONK!!!! God had answered my prayers there it was I had finally got to read this Gerondas Story all here in this book I had no idea! God answers prayers in mysterios ways!! ABSOLUTLEY MUST READ!!!! I wish I could thank this lady for this book GOD BLESS YOU

This book is an excellent resource for the Orthodox priest or layperson who is not an alcoholic but who needs to work with and understand those who are. It is also a very good source for meditation for alcoholics who are Orthodox Christians; and for anyone who wants to know more about alcoholism, the nature of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Steps, and even about Orthodox Christianity. Every part of the book rings true. For those who are working the Twelve Steps in an AA group, at just about every page you will say, "Yes! Been there, done that!" But you will also see a deeper spiritual walk in Orthodoxy, augmenting the Big Book; and equally important, a stimulus for learning more about Orthodox Christianity, the ancient Christian ways of prayer, and a personal walk through the Twelve Steps that comes close in so many ways to the monastic tradition of Orthodoxy. The author of this book speaks directly from experience, both as a recovering alcoholic and also as abbot of an Orthodox monastery. Refreshing and helpful!

While I'm not Orthodox, this book resonates with me as a middle-aged writer-mom who has struggled through her own spiritual journeys and rebellions. The writing is smart, incisive, and worthy of sending me into snorting fits in the middle of the night. Probably most importantly, the book has helped me understand the thoughts and practices of my Orthodox friends. It's a quick and engaging read that I heartily recommend!

Insightful and uplifting.

The Ancient Faith Prayer Book is compiled and edited by Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou, author of several other Ancient Faith titles including Meditations for Advent, Meditations for Great Lent, Meditations for Holy Week, and my favorite Thirty Steps to Heaven. The book begins with instructions from St. Theophan the Recluse on how to use this prayer book. At the end of the book is a calendar of Feasts and Fasts, as well as dates for Pascha for the next decade. In between these useful "bookends" is the spiritual meat of the text - the Prayers.

The prayers are a blend of ancient prayers and contemporary editions. You will recognize the Trisagion Prayers, Morning Prayers, Evening Prayers, Prayers of Thanksgiving, Prayers Before and After Communion, and the Odes. There are also prayers Before and After Work and Before Using the Internet. There are a lot of prayers related to conception, pregnancy, labor, and miscarriages, which is understandable as married couples want (rightfully so) children. The most interesting section to me was St. Chrysostom's Prayers for Every Hour of the Day. I'm not sure I will be able to, but praying these prayers is a goal I would like to set for myself. This is a very useful prayer book for Orthodox, especially, but for others as well. I personally plan to use this prayer book going forward and recommend you pick up a copy and do likewise. Five stars.