Crowned is full of theological gems and practical guidance for couples planning their wedding. I’d even recommend this as a first read before an official engagement. It is clearly written with the Orthodox Christian couple in mind, but truly any couple wanting to keep their wedding’s focus on Christ could benefit from Crowned.
The format allows it to be a quick afternoon read, but because it also functions as a planning workbook with many brainstorming and discussion prompts, a couple in the planning stages of a wedding will benefit from slowly working through exercises and discussion prompts together.
Crowned is a perfect resource for any bride and groom.

I've recommended this book to many people who are struggling with difficult circumstances in their lives. The universal feedback is that this book is a life changer. Highly recommended.

Thanks Amazon for your audible books. I go to sleep sometimes with the Psalter being read. Much appreciated, all the work you do for your customers.

This prayer book is great for anyone beginning a prayer rule. The ease of use is important as to not overwhelm those new to Orthodox Christianity. Highly recommended!

This prayer book is great for anyone beginning a prayer rule. The ease of use is important as to not overwhelm those new to Orthodox Christianity. Highly recommended!

It has been said that after people find Jesus and a church, Jesus leads them to The Church. When discovering Orthodoxy, there is generally a list of must read books for making acquaintance. If I could only recommend one single book for an inquirer or catechumen, this would without a doubt be that book. For those who are already Orthodox, especially cradle Orthodox, this book is still essential reading.

This book may be the definitive source on what it means to develop and have Orthodox Phronema. While developing Phronema is a lifelong process, and this is not a how-to for dummies type of guide (no such thing), it is a pretty good map on how to proceed. This book does a great job explaining the differences between East and West thinking. Patristics, Holy Tradition, and true Theology. There is a rather odd low score review on here that seems confused over the word "Phronema" supposing it to be a recently invented word, or word invented just for this book. Nothing could be further from the truth. Orthodox Phronema is long held and core to the faith.

I've followed Matthew Namee's efforts to unbury American Orthodox history for some time, and I was very excited to see he had finally written a book. This was long overdue in my opinion. But Namee didn't just create another history book to be added to the handful of others we already have on American Orthodox history, but instead offered something that is unique and uniquely him. Lost Histories is a collection of the weird and quirky from American Orthodoxy, giving almost the opposite content of a typical history book or hagiography of a Saints life, and instead giving us the strange and anecdotal, the sad and the funny, that really bring Orthodox history to life. I was glad I had read a general overview book of American Orthodoxy before this one in order to have a reference for the stories in this book, but I also found myself enjoying this book a lot more. If a typical history book is the black and white sketch of the history of American Orthodoxy, this book is the colors that make it feel alive, that makes you grasp the stories as someone who had actually experienced it. This book feels much more human than a typical history book, and I think that's particularly Orthodox to make things human, to make them incarnational.

If you enjoy history and Orthodoxy, you will most certainly enjoy this book.

I've been using the Kindle edition of this book since 2015, which is amazingly 8 years ago. I have finally ordered a hardbound version because it is just too easy to get distracted by other things when trying to use a tablet or smartphone as a prayer book!

This has a great collection of prayers for almost every time of day, and every season of life. I have been Orthodox for 13 years and one of the more frustrating aspects is that there is just no consistency in language from one book to another, and often from one church to another. Unlike something like the book of common prayer or all Catholic liturgical materials, orthodoxy in America is a mishmash of translations that don't usually match each other. I don't think there is a solution to this, Pat after years of trying to pray from prayer books that are filled with archaic language that no living human being has spoken in hundreds of years, I find the contemporary translations in this book to be very easy to read but also not oversimplified. For some reason the majority of orthodoxy in America insists on clinging to archaic language that has come down from Protestant traditions that themselves got away from such language decades ago, but I digress...

If you are looking for a good prayer book in orthodoxy I would highly suggest this one. If you are looking into orthodoxy, I would also highly recommend you get this prayer book and read the prayers and pray them even if you don't quite yet understand them. Much Orthodox theology is contained in his hymnology and its prayers as opposed to textbooks and written confessions or catechisms.

I've been using the Kindle edition of this book since 2015, which is amazingly 8 years ago. I have finally ordered a hardbound version because it is just too easy to get distracted by other things when trying to use a tablet or smartphone as a prayer book!

This has a great collection of prayers for almost every time of day, and every season of life. I have been Orthodox for 13 years and one of the more frustrating aspects is that there is just no consistency in language from one book to another, and often from one church to another. Unlike something like the book of common prayer or all Catholic liturgical materials, orthodoxy in America is a mishmash of translations that don't usually match each other. I don't think there is a solution to this, Pat after years of trying to pray from prayer books that are filled with archaic language that no living human being has spoken in hundreds of years, I find the contemporary translations in this book to be very easy to read but also not oversimplified. For some reason the majority of orthodoxy in America insists on clinging to archaic language that has come down from Protestant traditions that themselves got away from such language decades ago, but I digress...

If you are looking for a good prayer book in orthodoxy I would highly suggest this one. If you are looking into orthodoxy, I would also highly recommend you get this prayer book and read the prayers and pray them even if you don't quite yet understand them. Much Orthodox theology is contained in his hymnology and its prayers as opposed to textbooks and written confessions or catechisms.

Lost Histories, from orthodoxhistory.org's Matthew Namee, is new from Ancient Faith Publishing. My favorite kind of non-fiction book for my current sleep-deprived state of life, Lost Histories offers 40 short narrative-style chapters about early American Orthodoxy, so it’s very easy to take up and put down.

The stories cover lives of saints, faithful, questionably faithful, and the outright heretical, from many ethnicities and jurisdictions (and pre-jurisdictions), offering both fascinating views of the stumbling attempts to introduce Orthodoxy to North America as well as snippets of stories that add flavor and remind us that historical figures do just as much good and bad as current ones. Many stories have more questions than answers, which reflects a truth even today—when stories and gossip fly around, we still don’t always know which thread is the truth.

With so many topics covered, it’s hard to pick a favorite—the different ways other denominations viewed Orthodoxy at the time? The defense of the Alaskans? The priest who defended a young woman from an murderously abusive ex? —but the story of Father Nicola Yanney and his family stood out the most to me, and made me add to my To Be Read list. The descriptions of his wife’s faith and joy at her children’s baptism, her death and Nicola’s ordination, the sacrifices he and his family made, and the deep mutual love and adoration he and his communities had for each other touched me deeply. 

I’d recommend Lost Histories to anyone who wants to feel an understanding of the individual Orthodox in North America, as opposed to a comprehensive timeline or deep dive into any one jurisdiction. I got this as a reviewer's copy, but I was about to buy it anyways after reading the sample pages 😅 Hoping for a sequel covering more of the 20th and 21st centuries!

Shabour has written a very deep, insightful and rich book on Orthodox theology. He doesn't just give scriptural support for what Orthodox Christians believe, he also cites church fathers, and he also compares with protestant theology and catholic theology.
As a evangelical protestant, I was amazed by how well he presented other theologies and interacted with them.
Despite the depth and richness of this book, it is very readable and doesn't force much jargon on the reader.
I am very grateful for Shabour's book that has so well summarized Orthodoxy and compared it with other Christian traditions. Very well done!

I just finished reading this compact book! It is such an excellent combination of theologically sound advice and practical advice. Wow! Such an easy read too which is always welcome:). The authors were to the point, used understandable language, incorporated scripture and prayers throughout, and emphasized over and over the importance of Christ being present. Unlike so many wedding planning binders on the market, this guide will help couples streamline their wedding planning without overwhelming them. Well done!

A well researched, biblical backed as well a historical accurate book on the orthodox religion vs all others well described and broken down. For anyone interested in the question: which one is the right one? This book will throughly answer that question.

In our nihilistic, post-Christian culture, I've observed an influx of non-Orthodox inquirers into our parishes. This highly readable and thoughtful overview of the Sacramental life of the Orthodox Church furnishes a much-needed "on ramp" for those seeking to know better the life of the one true, catholic and Apostolic church. "Journey to Reality" employs a fresh approach insofar as rather than merely focusing on the "observable" characteristics of the Church, it instead furnishes a framework for a paradigm shift. The author contrasts the modern, rationalistic mode of thought that dominates both secular society and (to varying degrees) Western church life, with the fullness of the Sacramental way of participating in the life of the world and the age to come. Praise God that Ancient Faith Publications continues to bring to a hurting and hungry world the works of new authors who are gifted in sharing old wisdom.

I like how Fr. Farley's comments are easily understood.

It isn’t often that one comes across a simple book that radically challenges one’s perception of reality, but Journey to Reality does just that. Dr. Porcu in this short volume lays out in a simple and clear manner the radically different perspective of a sacramental worldview compared to today’s dominant secular worldview. Not only does the author lay out the differences between these two ways of viewing reality, Dr. Porcu also guides the reader into how one is to begin re-framing their view of reality to one that will provide a clearer view of reality. This is certainly a phenomenal read for anyone who is interested in the sacramental theology of the Orthodox Church, especially as it compares to other religions and Christian denominations. I highly recommend this book for those who are curious about the Orthodox Church, those who are Orthodox and want to deepen their understanding, and for those who are simply dissatisfied with the limited physical worldview offered by secularism.

I have been a fan of Parenting toward the Kingdom by Dr Phillip Mamalakis for a long while. This book changed a lot of my perspectives in parenting. I find it to be very consistent with the Orthodox way of life. Parenting Toward the Kingdom is not a quick solutions book; it is a mindset in parenting. I am excited about the companion guide because I think it would be very helpful to grow with other parents as you read this book. The companion guide is organized in 10 sessions. After prayer, each session balances reflective/discussion questions with content on a parenting principle. There is also opportunity to practice what that principle might look like. Sessions end with some goal setting. Parenting toward the Kingdom changed my mindset about parenting in a way no other parenting book has. I find I need to revisit the book periodically to avoid falling into familiar (easier!?!) parenting patterns. Accountability with other parents seeking a similar mindset along with the thoughtful reflections in the companion guide will be extremely helpful in making lasting and meaningful growth as a parent.

Very explanatory

This prayer book was written for teens and young adults, however this 50 something convert to the Orthodox faith has found no better book of Orthodox prayer. This book actually has the morning and evening prayers of St. Philaret that are part of the prayer rule given to me. This volume is small enough to carry every day, yet is packed with prayers, useful information about the faith, and is a solid resource. Don't overlook this volume because it is aimed at Orthodox youth as it is more than adequate for most people. I have 6 other prayer books that I have either purchased or received as a gift, yet this one is my go to.

This review is based on the "deluxe edition" and is a 2nd edition. The paperback is currently on the 3rd edition but I have no knowledge of the differences between the two.

As far as the book itself I found the synthetic cover to be adequate if a bit unusual in feel. The binding seems okay on par for other AF publications. I don't really have any complaints, but if I were in charge I would make couple changes to the "Deluxe edition". First, a bit larger typeface would be nice, however as this volume is aimed at youth I understand why a normal size font was chosen. Second, for a deluxe edition I would prefer a nicer cover, perhaps a bonded leather or something with a somewhat more pleasant tactile experience. Again I understand the reason why the publisher made this choice of cover as a book for youth probably ought to be able to take some abuse that we more seasoned readers aren't as likely to need.

Overall this is a fantastic prayer book, and though its intended reader is much younger than myself I don't feel insulted by the choice of prayers, or the additional content. Perhaps that's because as a late comer to Orthodoxy I don't know everything and so appreciate any help. Young or old, I highly recommend this prayer book and hope it remains in print for many more decades to come. I'm sure I will purchase more copies in the future for gifting.

Great detail and brief at the same time. Great book for catachumens and life long Orthodox.