Nov. 25, 2011

At the Corner of East and Now: A Modern Life in Ancient Christian Orthodoxy

by Frederica Mathewes-Green

Although I liked "Facing East" more, this book is still a solid introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy. Whereas "Facing East" takes one through the Christian Year as practiced in the Orthodox church, this book takes a similar route through the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom---the worship service one encounters on a weekly basis.

Mathewes-Green is at her best when describing the elements of the service and why what is done is done. The chapters where she engages the faith with everyday life are a little spottier. One never gets a grasp on what she really thinks about the rest of Christendom. At times she is rather harsh, at other times she relates stories of herself working alongside Christians of different backgrounds and seems to appreciate their expressions of the faith. Yet she does not back away from the belief that the Orthodox Church is the one true church---and equivocates a little about what the faith of other types of Christians will get them. One of the most helpful aspects of the book is the constant attention to what one is likely to encounter on a visit to an Orthodox church, with reassuring words to the visitor about do's, don'ts, and idiosyncrasies. A good, and informative read.

ISBN 1585420441

©2011 Rebecca Copeland