Arrived in great condition.

One small problem that I had was after 2 days of having it on my car keys was the connecting loop from the chain to the icon had opened and allowed it to fall off. I had to use pliers to reconnect the two ends of metal to close the loop.

Great and beautiful design.

I love this book

Always enjoy Father Stephen’s keen insights into our human condition! Bravo!

Beautiful! Quality is excellent and the variety was perfect.

Not at all what I was expecting. I'm not sure I will read much beyond the fifty pages I've plodded through so far. Very disappointing.

This book is very helpful as the font is large enough to read comfortably and the wording is true to the words used in the Presanctified Liturgy service. A must have during the Easter Lenten season.

This is the second Lent I have read this little book. I love it and have found it so helpful and relevant for our times. I tell all my Orthodox friends about it. I even gave it to a recent convert for his spiritual edification.

Excellent quality and fine artistry!

This is about the fourth year we've ordered Pascha cards from Ancient Faith, and this year's "King and Lord" is as beautiful and meaningful as ever! All our friends and family who have received this card have appreciated it. Please keep up the good work; it is such a blessing! Blessed Pascha to you all, Ed and Barbara Pelleau

I heard Fr. Stephen Freeman speak at an Ancient Faith conference for content creators in 2019. His talk was on Orthodoxy and Shame. He spoke with such love and relatability. From then on, I have followed him on social media and when I heard his book was coming out, ran to get my name on the list. You should also run to get this book. Here’s why.

As Orthodox Christians, and, of course, as fallen humans, we have many points of shame throughout our lives. In this book, Face To Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, Fr. Freeman calls those points to light, breaks them down into understandable psychology, and heals them with our faith. I don’t usually pull in someone else’s quote on the book I’m reviewing but I think Randa K. Anderson described this work perfectly when she said,”… The articulation of the fully healing nature of God’s love when we are bound by shame is profound.” You really can feel God’s love through Fr. Freeman, in person or in word.

The book itself is categorized through its chapters to relate to different aspects of life. One chapter of note for a lot of us converts, is The Shame of Conversion. It’s pointed out that we, as we Americans do, get to choose to convert to this faith. Conversion is a huge part of my family’s story of faith. My in-laws wanted to convert from Catholicism and the priest in their local church didn’t take them seriously. Why would Americans want to convert to this faith? Nevertheless, they persisted. (I feel like this sentence is one that always makes for the best stories in books.) Eventually, they were converted.

I am so thankful that they persisted because now I am Orthodox and my kids are the first generation of cradle Orthodox in our family line. How cool is that?!? Unfortunately, the rest of my side of the family and friends don’t understand and we get a lot of questions to field. “Well, in your religion . . .” or “I don’t remember the bible saying that.” While these questions and comments aren’t to make us feel bad or “put us to shame”, there’s a not-good feeling there and having to explain ourselves and defend our faith seems to be more of a constant than in a Protestant life.

Anyways, whatever way you’re feeling about whatever in your life, read this book. It’s just what we all needed. A kind word that reminds us of the healing of the Lord and His promise of the blessings to come. Amen.

Thank you Fr. Stephen Freeman for giving today’s Orthodox Christians the gentle reminder that our God is so loving, that our faith is the right faith, and the tools we can use to live and love more fully, as God would desire. I thank the Lord that He gave us you.

Very practical and useful book. Would highly recommend it.

I am a spiritual director. The truth and wisdom in this book gives me a deeper understanding of how to listen to others.

It is an incredible and in-depth look at the subject matter through the Orthodox lens. It's very helpful in understanding our own personal history and struggles.

We immediately sold out of ten at our church bookstore and ordered 20 more.

I highly recommend this very important book.

Beautiful cards. They are perfect for Pascha.

The compact AF prayer book is beautifully presented. Our church bookshop sells it all the time. It is especially helpful for those new to Orthodoxy or journeying towards Orthodoxy. It is much more popular than the newly released Large Print version.
Thank you for your ministry,
Meredith

This is the second time that I have ordered the Orthodox Study Bible that our church donates to the local Detention Centre for incarcerated Orthodox individuals.

A book that will change lives, the way we relate to God and each other. Fr. Stephen Freeman is the real deal, a true spiritual father.

5 stars! Fr. Freeman is a wonderful writer!!

Beautiful Book!