Clear, vibrant. Warms your heart with the obvious devotion of the Yanney family. Orthodoxy in the American heartland.

Robin Phillips has delivered a valuable contribution to the expression of a maturing American Orthodoxy. His deep research grounds his patiently unfolded thesis well. The reader is enriched by a solid understanding of the ancient Orthodox awareness of the sacramental character of Creation and the material world around us. Highly recommended!

Interesting book. Ideas mostly same as N.T. Wright’s Paul: A Biography, which is much more in depth and better read. Main issue with the book is that there are assertions as fact in some of the summaries of Paul’s letters that are points of view/opinions at best. This was frankly disappointing.

Father De Young does it again! Well written, researched and footnoted. He gives us a fresh perspective on Saint Paul, free from the baggage that's accumulated in the west since the Reformation. I was thrilled to compare this translation of his epistles side-by-side with my KJV.

I’m almost finished with this book and I highly recommend it! The stories of these Saints are illuminating and surprising in the best way.

This was a great read. Early Welsh Saints from first to seventh century. I enjoyed being introduced to some saints that I have never heard of before and their stories.

Some saints are only a short paragraph while others may be a couple of pages. The author explains there is little information still available regarding these saints due to numerous reasons of being destroyed by nature or man over time. Thankfully with this book the lives of these saints are being told.

Great book to add to your home library or parish library.

This was a gift for a high school graduate.

Update:

I was wrong. There are no missing Psalms. It's just that they are spread out over the other days. There is no Sunday evening Vespers. Perhaps you're used to this already if you are Othodox. Even with very minor errors, this book is a beautiful thing that I will always treasure. It pairs very well with the audiobook. The description mentions singing along, but there's no guidance on that. But the monotone chanting in the audio book is great to create a constant rhythm. Putting the review back to five stars as this audio / reading combo is a thing of beauty. Thanks to the creators of this work, and to God. ____

Previous review:

SUNDAY VESPERS IS MISSING FROM THE LARGE PRINT BOOK.

SOME VERSES ARE REPEATED IN THE AUDIO, BUT NOT IN THE BOOK.

I purchased the large print book and the audio book. I expected the chants to be in song. I was disappointed. But I quickly found the value in the simple chanting along with the book. I have no opinions on translation, etc, I just wanted a way to simplify reading the Psalms on a regular basis. I think I'm going to appreciate this more as time goes on. I've now learned about the monastic Kathisma schedule, and I plan to keep going with it. I'm glad I bought the book and the Audible book. A perfect pairing to put scripture into my heart.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the Philokalia for those unfamiliar with it. It is written in accessible language. it is not intended for scholars, but for the inquiring educated Orthodox laymen. It is also helpful for the non-Orthodox person interested in learning more about the Philokalia.

What an amazing book that focuses on putting you trust in God through St Michael. I wish there were more books that have a Saint as their hero. Very well written and easy read, highly recommended for children who are bullied and have fears of the boogie man!

I love them they work very well

Gorgeous, excellent sized triptych. Bought as a gift for a catechumen, perfect size and excellent quality. Incredibly happy with this.

👍🏻

Just in love with it. I use all day everyday. Thank you god bless

Well made, beautiful Bible, perfect for a gift!

I purchased study bibles for two high school seniors who attended our church. I was impressed by the first several pages that gives good information.

I loved this book! At 300 pages, it may sound like alot but it is very readable and approachable with many great introductions to saints throughout the New Testament, early church, and up to the modern era (St. Olga of Alaska). I continue to return to this book to re-read chapters, and it would make a great gift to a fellow Orthodox Christian or anyone who is interested in learning more about sacrificial leadership.

Great read for reprogramming one’s Evangelical understanding of St Paul. De Young describes in plain language the proper context for understanding Paul, both historically and personally. Not heavily academic so that any layman can pick this up and read it. One complaint is that I wish there were more citations backing the claims on historical context. Would have liked to see those citations for my own further reading.

A must have for your prayer corner. Thank you AOCA and Ancient Faith!!!

I received a review copy of The Art of Myrrhbearing and was asked to give my honest review of it. I am so grateful to have read this book right now - it has been both informational and formational, reviving my weary soul at the end of a busy season of life.

I knew about the Myrrhbearers already and had a surface level intellectual knowledge that all service done in the name of Christ is a kind of myrrh-bearing action to which we are called. This book shares the stories of the individually named myrrh bearers within the gospel and then traces their path within the Gospels. Each story ends with reflection questions that are perfect for individual consideration or discussion with an intimate group of friends with whom one can be vulnerable and open.

I especially appreciated a small section at the beginning of Part Two, where the author reminds us to see ourselves first as those who have received healing myrrh from Christ Himself and wish to bear it to others - we cannot pour forth what we have not received. This is always where our own myrrh-bearing must begin, as people who have been healed and are being healed and will be healed by our encounters with Christ.

Part Three resonated with me the most deeply at this moment; the author does a beautiful job of recounting tales of some of our beloved saints - through the lens of their own experiences of being healed and sharing this healing myrrh with others. In her recounting of their stories, they became new to me and gave me deeper ways to reflect on and be challenged by their examples. I especially appreciate the range of saints that she included in this section!

As the blurb on the back cover reads, “by following the lead of compassionate saints…we can learn to embrace a simple and profound way of life in ever-deepening communion with Christ and with others.” This ever deepening communion that she references as a fruit of practical, incarnate love of Christ and others, was very much something that revived my soul as I read the examples of saints in Part Three. Such nourishment! Such encouragement! Such joy!

While firmly grounded in Orthodox Christian theology and practice, I could also see reading this with a group of friends from across some denominational lines; the call to encounter Christ through serving others is a basic Christian principle we all share.