Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches Books

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis is very much a book worth reading. It sheds interesting new light on sectarian practices in the countryside, and in the process forces us to revise the ways in which we think about the most basic aspects of rural life in imperial Russia. * American Historical Review *An analysis of a previously understudied phenomenon, the book constitutes a significant contribution to the study of Russian peasant, religious, and matrimonial history. * New Books Network *Drawing mainly on tax census and parish records, John Bushnell has produced an impressive study of marriage practices among Old Believer peasants in several districts in Vladimir, Kostroma, and Nizhnii Novgorod provinces between the early eighteenth and the mid-nineteenth centuries. * The Russian Review *Bushnell's study makes for remarkably interesting and engaging reading * Slavic Review *Bushnell is to be greatly commended for broadening the discussion on rural life in Russia. * Journal of Modern History *This archival study makes a very interesting and important discovery: many peasant women in the Volga region did not marry during the 18th and 19th centuries—at least until the emancipation of serfs when this study breaks off. . . . The data on marriage aversion that Bushnell has collected in this study are extremely valuable. . . . And Bushnell's conlcuding observation that this phenomenon was not limited to Old Believer settlements in the Volga region makes further study of peasant marriage avoidance all the more important. -- Georg P. Michels * Recensio *Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is the Opposite of Eureka?1. The Moral Economy of Russian Serf Marriage, 1580s-1750s: Serf Marriage Unregulated2. Nobles Discover Peasant Women's Marriage Aversion3. The Outer Limits of Female Marriage Aversion: Kuplia Parish in the 18th Century4. Kuplia Parish, 1830-1850: Separation, Collapse, Resumption of Marriage5. Spasovites: the Covenant of Despair 6. Baki: Resistance to Marriage on a Forest Frontier7. Steksovo and Sergei Mikhailovich Golitsyn: Marriage Aversion in a Context of ProsperityInconclusionBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAlong the way, readers learn a great deal about the relationship between the Russian church and the state, and about the inner logics of a major religious schisms, whose lessons apply to Russian history and beyond. Religious history is often neglected in the history of late imperial Russia, and this book also helps to rectify that imbalance. * New Books Network *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. Ritual and the Origins of Edinoverie2. Edinoverie Transformed, 1801-18553. A "Step to Orthodoxy" No More, 1865-18864. Crisis, Reform, and Revolution, 1905-19185. Lived Edinoverie, 1825-1917Conclusion: Decline, Disappearance, ReinventionAppendix A: The Rules of Metropolitan Platon, 27 September 1800Appendix B: Replacements for the Rules of Platon, 1917-1918BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAlong the way, readers learn a great deal about the relationship between the Russian church and the state, and about the inner logics of a major religious schisms, whose lessons apply to Russian history and beyond. Religious history is often neglected in the history of late imperial Russia, and this book also helps to rectify that imbalance. * New Books Network *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. Ritual and the Origins of Edinoverie2. Edinoverie Transformed, 1801-18553. A "Step to Orthodoxy" No More, 1865-18864. Crisis, Reform, and Revolution, 1905-19185. Lived Edinoverie, 1825-1917Conclusion: Decline, Disappearance, ReinventionAppendix A: The Rules of Metropolitan Platon, 27 September 1800Appendix B: Replacements for the Rules of Platon, 1917-1918BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Church of the Holy Spirit, written by Russian priest and scholar Nicholas Afanasiev (18931966), is one of the most important works of twentieth-century Orthodox theology. Afanasiev was a member of the Paris School of émigré intellectuals who gathered in Paris after the Russian revolution, where he became a member of the faculty of St. Sergius Orthodox Seminary. The Church of the Holy Spirit, which offers a rediscovery of the eucharistic and communal nature of the church in the first several centuries, was written over a number of years beginning in the 1940s and continuously revised until its posthumous publication in French in 1971. Vitaly Permiakov''s lucid translation and Michael Plekon''s careful editing and substantive introduction make this important work available for the first time to an English-speaking audience.Trade Review"Nicholas Afanasiev is perhaps the most important ecclesiologist of modern times in the Orthodox world. The Church of the Holy Spirit is a very important book, a magnum opus, demonstrating that Afanasiev himself is undoubtedly a major twentieth-century theologian.” —John McGuckin, Nielsen Professor of Early Ecclesiastical History, Union Theological Seminary“In a work that is scholarly yet accessible to the educated layperson, the late Afanasiev (1893–1966, St. Sergius Orthodox Seminary, Paris), Russian-born Orthodox priest and theologian, considers the evolution of the office of bishop in the Christian church. . . . Although completed more than 40 years ago, Afanasiev's book has a contemporary feel. Highly recommended for theology collections.” —Library Journal“The Church of the Holy Spirit is an outstanding Orthodox contribution to the understanding of the Church. . . . [It] offers Christians of different traditions a valuable look at the one Church as it was in the first centuries and as it may come to be again in the future.” —The Living Church“. . . [this] is an important part of the history of twentieth-century ecclesiology. Afanasiev's eucharistic ecclesiology challenged the scholastic theology and eucharistic practices of his own Eastern Orthodox Church, contributed to the theology of the Second Vatican Council, and influenced other theologians, including John Meyendorff and Alexander Schmemann, who studied with Afanasiev at St. Sergius in Paris.” —Worship“[Afanasiev] was one of the most creative, original, and provocative Orthodox writers in recent generations. Permiakov's very readable English translation will bring a much larger audience to Afanasiev's insights and lead to critical engagement with his arguments.” —Theological Studies"This felicitously translated posthumous work, The Church of the Holy Spirit (1971), is Afanasiev's magnum opus and it sets out to express his vision of the Church as the realization of the Eucharist by giving an historical account of earliest Christianity's 'eucharistic assembly' with all its constitutive ministries. The present translation makes a poorly known work easily accessible and it is therefore a gift of the authors both to contemporary scholarship, with its reassessment of Russian émigré culture and religious thought in a broad ecumenical perspective, and to the various churches indebted to Afanasiev's immense theological legacy.” —The Russian Review“[The Church of the Holy Spirit] is a seminal work on the church and the liturgy which offers a rediscovery of the eucharistic and communal nature of the church in the first several centuries.” —Theology Digest“. . . This welcome volume is the first time that Afanasiev’s seminal work has been made fully accessible to the English-language reader. Afanasiev was one of the major theological thinkers of the twentieth century. His training as a church historian, his strong belief in the centrality of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church, and his thorough grounding in patristics enabled him to be among the first theologians to initiate a profound renewal of Eucharistic ecclesiology, not only among Orthodox Christians, but within Catholic and Protestant traditions as well.” —Slavic and East European Journal“Published posthumously in Russian in 1971 and in French in 1975, The Church of the Holy Spirit—together with other pieces in West European languages—established its author among the most significant Orthodox theologians of the mid-twentieth century. . . . In the present book and some other writings, Afanasiev was directly addressing problems that he saw in the current life of the Orthodox church(es). His criticisms are amply surrounded by a positive ecclesiological vision as he draws hints towards reform from apostolic and early patristic sources.” —Modern Theology“This is the first time that the classic work of Fr. Afanasiev, originally completed in 1950, has been published in English. Fr. Afanasiev joins a line of Orthodox theologians who attempt to understand the Church—that ‘subject which is not a subject,’ according to Fr. Schmemann—beyond the standard, canonical, approach. His voice, in this edition’s English, sounds timely even now.” —The Journal of Ecclesiastical History

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Book SynopsisThe journal Put'', or The Way, was one of the major vehicles for philosophical and religious discussion among Russian émigrés in Paris from 1925 until the beginning of World War II. This Russian language journal, edited by Nicholas Berdyaev among others, has been called one of the most erudite in all Russian intellectual history; however, it remained little known in France and the USSR until the early 1990s. This is the first sustained study of the Russian émigré theologians and other intellectuals in Paris who were associated with The Way and of their writings, as published in The Way. Although there have been studies of individual members of that group, this book places the entire generation in a broad historical and intellectual context. Antoine Arjakovsky provides assessments of leading religious figures such as Berdyaev, Bulgakov, Florovsky, Nicholas and Vladimir Lossky, Mother Maria Skobtsova, and Afanasiev, and compares and contrasts their philosopTrade Review“Antoine Arjakovsky . . . has written a masterful history of Russian religious thinkers who left Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution, took up residence in the West (mainly in Paris), and established a journal called Put’ or The Way. . . . In the end, Arjakovsky’s work is more than a history of the interwar Russian emigration and its periodical. It also is a thought-provoking reflection on some of the core values that led to separate Western and Orthodox civilizations, including such issues as papal primacy, the relationship of reason to faith, separation of church and state, and the critical importance of law in limiting government.” —The Catholic Historical Review“An important and little known period in Western intellectual history is explored in this study of the Russian émigré journal, The Way, which was published in Paris during the years 1925–40 and edited by Nikolai Berdyaev. Antoine Arjakovsky’s scholarly history, translated from Russian, demonstrates convincingly that The Way was one of the most brilliant journals ever produced by Russian theologians and thinkers.” —Journal of Ecclesiastical History"The Way, Antoine Arjakovsky's magisterial study of the Russian emigration of the interwar period, published in French over a decade ago and already translated into Russian, is now available to the English-speaking world thanks to a new translation by Jerry Ryan. This is a work of major importance that will become a standard point of reference for everyone with an interest, scholarly or otherwise, in the philosophical, political and religious culture of the Russian intelligentsia in exile." —Times Literary Supplement“This is the story of an important journal, which is now receiving increased attention from scholars, but it is more than that. It presents the work of a creative and diverse group of theologians thrown together by political accident in a foreign land, and shows how their struggle to make sense of this has a continuing and contemporary message for the church.” —Journal of Theological Studies“The Way is a product of Arjakovsky’s dissertation, and the book’s objective is threefold: to give a wide audience access to this little-known journal, to explain the resurgence of interest in the journal in both Russia and France since the early 1990s, and to elaborate a synthesis between historical truth and the accuracy of memory. He succeeds in all three: the book is an extensive and well crafted synthesis of the articles published in the journal, with a skillfully explicated analysis set within the historical context of both the journal’s own time as well as current interest in the journal for the last couple of decades.” —Fides et Historia“To the credit of Antoine Arjakovsky, The Way seems to manage the impossible: a tempered, meticulous parceling out of the diverse theological and philosophical debates surrounding the influential Parisian expat journal Put’ (The Way) and its various (mostly Russian) contributors . . . an invaluable resource for those interested in the discussions, agreements, and conflicts of the intellectual circles of interwar exile, be it from a literary, philosophical, theological, or diasporic perspective.” —Slavic and East European Journal"Arjakovsky’s study reveals a poorly known Christian exile community in its intellectual complexity. His chronicle depicts the richness of a Slavic theology and philosophy usually presented in the West through a series of pious clichés. It also reveals the dynamics of an immigrant community struggling to maintain its (idealized) traditions and cautiously adapt to its new political-religious environment in a fragile intellectual enclave in Montparnasse. Few communities have negotiated this perilous retrieval and adaptation with such metaphysical glory." —America“This is a remarkable but demanding, even daunting, history of the Russian religious-philosophical emigration in interwar France . . . [Berdiaev and Maritain’s] profound personalist defense of human dignity and human rights is a legacy that Arjakovsky rightly deems worth remembering (not least in Putin’s Russia). The Way as a ‘locus of memory’ (Pierra Nora) forms yet another conceptual layer of this rich, rewarding, and complex book.” —Slavic Review“Arjakovsky is adept in situating the intellectual-theological milieu of The Way against the background of contemporary Francophone thought, and he makes the important case that French thinkers such as Jacques Maritain, Jean Daniélou, and Henri de Lubac were inspired in part by the institute and its journal to encourage the patristic study, liturgical reforms, and ecumenical initiatives of the Second Vatican Council.” —The Living Church“ . . . in the majority of themes he touches, from the internal divisions of the church and the exiles, to the theological content of the work of Florovsky and Bulgakov and the philosophies of Berdyaev, Shestov, Frank, and others, Arjakovsky is on firm ground, showing a mastery of the various subjects that arise throughout the contributions to the journal over the decade and a half of existence. . . . Arjakovsky’s book is important and valuable, perhaps even more now than in the past, and worthwhile as a guidebook to this important period in intellectual and religious history.” —H-Catholic, H-Net Reviews

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Book SynopsisIn late antiquity the rising number of ascetics who joined the priesthood faced a pastoral dilemma. Should they follow a traditional, demonstrably administrative, approach to pastoral care, emphasizing doctrinal instruction, the care of the poor, and the celebration of the sacraments? Or should they bring to the parish the ascetic models of spiritual direction, characterized by a more personal spiritual father/spiritual disciple relationship? Five Models of Spiritual Direction in the Early Church explores the struggles of five clerics (Athanasius, Gregory Nazianzen, Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian, and Pope Gregory I) to reconcile their ascetic idealism with the reality of pastoral responsibility. Through a close reading of Greek and Latin texts, George E. Demacopoulos explores each pastor''s criteria for ordination, his supervision of subordinate clergy, and his methods of spiritual direction. He argues that the evolution in spiritual direction that occurred during this perTrade Review“George E. Demacopoulos’s excellent scholarly study of spiritual direction in the early church sheds new light on the role of the spiritual guide. That role has deep roots in monasticism. Five Models of Spiritual Direction in the Early Church shows how, when monks left their monasteries to become priests and bishops in the cities of the late antique world, they were able to translate their spirituality into something appropriate for those who came under their pastoral care. . . . This is an extremely interesting book with a firm grasp of the scholarly literature.” —Commonweal“Five Models of Spiritual Direction in the Early Church puts spiritual direction on solid historical ground by showing its importance in the early centuries of the church as well as exploring the different ways spiritual direction was conceived by bishops and theologians. Using five prominent figures from the early church (Saints Athanasius, Gregory Nazianzen, Augustine, John Cassian, and Gregory the Great), Demacopolous crafts a nuanced study that shows how the widening gulf between monasticism and laity in the fourth, fifth, and sixth centuries translated into different expressions of spiritual direction.” —Cistercian Studies Quarterly“Demacopolous is the first to examine the impact of ascetic bishops on pastoral practice. To address his concerns he presents literary studies of five figures: Athanasius, Gregory Nazianzen, Augustine, Cassian, and Pope Gregory I. . . . Mastery of a wide variety of sources is evident throughout Demacopolous's study . . . this book is solid and will be quite valuable to historical theologians, church historians, students of Christian spirituality and of the priesthood.” —Theological Studies“The strength of this publication clearly lies in the meticulous and respectful examination of the style and policy adopted by key ecclesiastical officers as they considered methods of advocating for Christian polity. It explores spiritual direction in its wider-namely, more social and political-dimension by analyzing fundamental criteria for ordination by bishops, supervision of subordinate clergy, and ways of receiving spiritual guidance by clergy and laity alike. . . . This book is of critical importance and deserves attention. It will long appeal to scholars of late antiquity and medieval theology, to students of the history of monasticism and spirituality, as well as to those actively engaged in pastoral aspects of contemporary Christian ministry.” —Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies “George Demacopoulos . . . has rendered a stimulating investigation on spiritual direction in the early church. A focused study on the spiritual formation strategies of pastors, the work is driven by the underlying question: how was spiritual formation affected when ordained clergy became monks or when monks became ordained clergy? . . . Five Models of Spiritual Direction is a well-researched and well-written monograph on a largely neglected area of patristic studies. It should be listed as suggested reading in graduate-level patristics courses and seminars, especially for students studying early church pastoral mentoring and leadership.” —Criswell Theological Review“Following on the work done by Conrad Leyser, Andrea Sterk and Claudia Rapp on the role of bishops in Late Antiquity and the ways in which, by the end of the sixth century, culture was beginning to shift towards something more characteristic of the Middle Ages, this book studies five authorities whom the author believes to have been influential in that process. This is not a work in spirituality or in spiritual direction in the conventional sense of the term. Above all, he examines the techniques used in achieving pastoral goals.” —The Downside Review“The book explores the growing tensions arising from the legalization of Christianity after Constantine between clerical and ascetic pastoral traditions. As long as we continue to protect our discipline as one that must remain essentially contemplative and trusting, we may perhaps grow in good ways through the challenges presented by Five Models of Spiritual Direction.” —Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care“The subject matter of this book is the pastoral oversight exercised by the bishop, and the increasing influence of the monastic model on Episcopal practice in the fourth to sixth centuries . . . an interesting and thought-provoking attempt to map a significant development within the life of the Church as it grappled with the pressures of mass religion on the one hand, and an individualized spirituality on the other.” —Journal of Theological Studies“The author is to be commended for an excellent contribution to scholarship. Aside from the specific focus on spiritual direction, readers will find that each chapter also provides valuable introductions to the life and writings of the five patristic writers . . . this study will prove useful not only to the specialized researcher, but also to readers broadly interested in Late Antiquity, Patristic studies, and Pastoral Theology.” —Journal of Eastern Christian Studies“Is the pastoral office primarily one of activity, administration, and busyness? Or is it one of contemplation, quietness, and prayer? Which of these ideals should predominate in the life of a parish pastor? What ideal should predominate in the lives of his flock? These are issues and struggles which permeate the work of pastors. Demacopoulos’ book gives the opportunity to view that struggle in another time and place with perspectives and answers different than more current and familiar responses.” —Concordia Theological Quarterly

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Book SynopsisBy the early twentieth century, a genuine renaissance of religious thought and a desire for ecclesial reform were emerging in the Russian Orthodox Church. With the end of tsarist rule and widespread dissatisfaction with government control of all aspects of church life, conditions were ripe for the Moscow Council of 1917-1918 to come into being.The council was a major event in the history of the Orthodox Church. After years of struggle for reform against political and ecclesiastical resistance, the bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity who formed the Moscow Council were able to listen to one other and make sweeping decisions intended to renew the Russian Orthodox Church. Council members sought change in every imaginable areafrom seminaries and monasteries, to parishes and schools, to the place of women in church life and governance. Like Vatican II, the Moscow Council emphasized the mission of the church in and to the world.Destivelle's study not only discusses the counTrade Review"As the centenary of the Russian Revolution approaches, Hyacinthe Destivelle’s study offers a valuable resource for assessing a critical dimension of that momentous event: the Orthodox Church Council of 1917–1918. Deploying a wealth of published sources to recount the origins, activities, and results of this remarkable gathering, Destivelle provides a synthesis that is at once insightful and accessible to a broad readership. His work covers the entire period from the first calls for a council in 1905 through the assembly’s conclusion in 1918, skillfully demonstrating how the conciliar ideal was translated into concrete ecclesiastical decrees. In doing so, Destivelle identifies the central players and the broad range of issues at stake in the Church’s reform, as well as the resonance of the council’s decisions for the rest of the twentieth century. His book represents a fine contribution to the growing scholarship on religion in Russia and provides an excellent point of entry for those seeking to understand the fate of the Orthodox Church in the twentieth century." —Paul W. Werth, University of Nevada, Las Vegas"Hyacinthe Destivelle's study is a much-needed and timely examination of the historic All-Russia Church Council of 1917–1918—a council that marked both the culmination and the beginning of a new epoch in modern Russian Orthodoxy. The English translation of the council's definitions and decrees, as well as the 'Statute of the Local Council of the Orthodox Church of All Russia,' along with Destivelle's exceptional commentary and annotations, will remain a foundational work for scholars and students of modern Christianity and Orthodoxy, as well as for scholars and students of Russian history, for decades to come." —Vera Shevzov, Smith College"Contemporary global Orthodoxy is in the process of confronting unprecedented challenges. . . . The autocephalous Orthodox churches address these challenges in various ways, as pastors and theologians appeal to notions of consensus among the Fathers in the past as models. Occasionally, pastors and theologians will also consider creative models of the church for engaging the modern world. The University of Notre Dame Press's recent translation and publication of Hyacinthe Destivelle's comprehensive analysis of the Moscow Council of 1917–1918 grants English-language readers access to one of the most discussed and perhaps least understood historical examples of such models . . . an instant classic and a necessary desktop resource for all serious students and scholars of Russian Orthodoxy and ecclesiology." —The Wheel“[Destivelle’s] book, which is based on the council documents and was originally published in French, is a brilliant and insightful analysis of the Moscow Council and its many fascinating ideas and challenges. It is not only a fair and balanced treatment of Russian Orthodoxy’s determination to make Christ’s enduring message of love and justice relevant to a people experiencing radical changes in society but also an incredibly rich presentation of original source documents.” —The Catholic Historical Review“This publication of this important work in English is an event of great significance. The book will serve as an indispensable handbook for historians, students of history and religion, and certainly also clerics and theologians wishing to acquaint themselves with the basics of a foundational even in the history of the modern Christian churches.” —The Russian Review“[This] book is characterized primarily by the concise provision of accurate information. However, there is nothing tedious about this careful exposition of a potentially emotive subjective. [There] could be no better introduction to [the Moscow Council] than this cogently organized and exceptionally well indexed book. . .” —Slavonic and East European Review“Destivelle’s volume is a welcome contribution to the ever-burgeoning field of the history of Orthodoxy in Russia. This book will certainly become a staple for anyone desiring to become acquainted with one of the most exciting moments in Russian Orthodox history.” —Theological Studies“Dominican friar Hyacinthe Destivelle of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity narrates the story of the Russian Church’s reassertion of its conciliar identity and the restoration of the Patriarch of Moscow.” —The Living Church

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Book SynopsisEastern Orthodox and Anglicans is a study of inter-Orthodox relations, the role of the Anglican Church, and the problems of Orthodox nationalism in modern age. Trade Review“This interesting and important new book offers the first dedicated scholarly investigation into major movements of ecumenical contact among Anglicans and Orthodox between the First World War and the Second World War. Bryn Geffert draws on substantial archival work in English and Russian to write what he calls ‘the story of efforts toward rapprochement by two churches and their ultimate failure to achieve formal unity of intercommunion.’ . . . Above all, this is a cautionary tale about the difficulties inherent in connections among churches with very positive intentions but no ability to speak with one voice.” —The Living Church“Geffert examines political entanglement and territorial aims as well as complex theological issues with clarity and precision. The conclusion contains insightful reflections on the ecumenical longue durée and relations among the principle Christian traditions during the Cold War and beyond.” —The Russian Review“This is a nostalgic book. It describes the time when Western Christians were encountering the Orthodox Church often for the first time, meeting refugees from Russia after the Communist Revolution and extending invitations for conferences and church celebrations to each other. This book describes these early encounters in the period between the wars . . . the encounter of Eastern and Western Christianity described in this book has been rich and creative, usually warm and friendly, and has contributed much to the life of the churches.” —Theology“This detailed study of Anglican-Orthodox relations in the early years of the ecumenical movement not only traces their development but also analyses the motives which impelled each side to seek closer relations. This illuminating study of the complex dynamics of inter- and intra-church relations is of contemporary relevance as well as of historical interest. Members of the International Commission for the Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue who have not yet read it should certainly do so. . . .” —The Journal of Ecclesiastical History“The history of the contacts between Orthodoxy and Anglicanism for the last century-and-a-half is competently recounted in Geffert’s interdisciplinary account. The work is a model of bibliographical organization. . . . The narrative is engaging and clear, with an occasional Russian word in parentheses to convey the flavor of a pungent remark.” —Journal of Ecumenical Studies“Geffert is to be congratulated for the massive amount of research that has gone into this history of the ecumenical efforts toward rapprochement between Anglicans and Orthodox in the period of the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the years between World War I and World War II . . . the great strength of this book lies in its investigation of countless secondary sources. . . .” —Anglican Theological Review“The author is to be congratulated for the massive amount of research that has gone into this history of the ecumenical efforts towards rapprochement between Anglicans and Orthodox in the period of the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the years between the two great world wars.” —Anglican and Episcopal History“Geffert’s work superbly illustrates a moment when institutional alignment seemed possible, but failed. Despite the outcome, his book deserves close attention for the sources it probes and the era it depicts.” —Church History“[Geffert’s] meticulous study, based on archival and published sources, provides a thorough treatment of factors inclining interwar Orthodox and Anglicans to dialogue. Nevertheless, the myriad reasons given for the impossibility of Orthodox-Anglican church unity necessarily overwhelmed ambitions of closer east-west church ties.” —The Slavic Review“Geffert’s book will become required reading for anyone seeking to understand the complicated web of relationships with the Orthodox that developed between the wars. It is also a timely reminder to historians of the ecumenical movement that ‘nontheological factors’ in church divisions are not completely dead, not least where church appointments depend in some measure on the civil power.” —The Journal of Modern History

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Book SynopsisIvan Sergeevich Gagarin analyzes questions of nationality and religious identity in nineteenth-century Russian history as reflected in the life of Jesuit priest Ivan Gagarin. A descendent of one of Russia's most ancient and politically powerful families, Father Ivan Gagarin, S.J. (18141882) dedicated his life to creating a union between the Orthodox and Catholic churches that would preserve the dogmatic and traditional beliefs of both.Traditional understandings of Russian identity have emanated from the perspective of the dominant Orthodox religion; this captivating study uses the unionist work of Gagarin to illumine Russia''s national identity from the perspective of Roman Catholicism. Seeing his unionist proposals as necessary for the preservation of Russian stability, Gagarin found himself in frequent opposition to the Orthodox Church. While Gagarin believed that Church union would preserve Russia from the threats of communism and revolution, the Russian Orthodox Trade Review“Beshoner presents a well-researched and evenhanded examination of the evolution of Gagarin’s thought within the context of the political and theological debates of the time. He shows that the fascinating story of Gagarin, the 'Don Quixote of Catholicism,' exemplifies the futility of all-encompassing projects for the nation’s salvation. His book is richly documented, and he makes generous use of archival material from France, Italy, the Vatican, and Russia. The book is an important resource for scholars interested in the Westernizers/Slavophile controversy, in problems of Russian national identity, in mutual misconceptions between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican, and in ecumenical politics in general.” —Slavic Review"...the only book-length treatise on Gagarin in English. This book is highly recommended for library collections in Slavic studies and ecumenism." —Catholic Library World“…handsomely produced….” —Modern Greek Studies Yearbook“The strength of this book is found in the fact that it finally offers scholars the continuous account of the entire life and times of Gagarin together with a discussion of this work, all in one volume. Students of the Russian Jesuit will also be grateful for the complete listing of Gagarin’s treatises, both major and minor.” —Orientalia Christiana Periodica“...a fascinating story that will be of particular interest to readers who follow current efforts to reestablish the communion that will enable the Church to, in the words of John Paul II, ‘breathe again with both lungs.’” —First Things“Beshoner’s meticulous analysis makes a valuable contribution to the scholarship on religious and church history in the middle decades of the nineteenth century. Above all, it provides a full, well-researched account of a prominent Russian Catholic publicist, stripping away rhetoric and polemics to give a coherent account of his views and how he came to them. ...[A] pioneering monograph.” —American Historical Review“[R]ichly detailed discussion ... full of materials likely to be new to scholars interested in pre-Reform Russia, in which Gagarin was formed, and the post-Reform Russia that he tried to influence. Beshoner has thoroughly investigated archival sources in Russia and the West and mastered the very large literature.” —Russian Review“Jeffrey Bruce Beshoner surprises readers with an intriguing book that includes nationalism, diplomacy and religion. It provides a multifaceted look into the history of Russia compared with the rest of Europe during the nineteenth century. Beshoner’s work transcends the history of nineteenth-century Russian Orthodoxy. It delves into nationalism, diplomacy, politics, and religion and would be an enlightening supplement to any Russian, nineteenth-century, or religious history course. Beshoner’s wording is intelligent, yet not too academic for younger readers. He clearly defines and shows Gagarin’s motives, writings, and experiences. Ivan Sergeevich Gagarin: The Search for Orthodox and Catholic Union would prove beneficial in graduate-level courses, as well as in some upper level undergraduate courses.” —History: Reviews of New Books“Beshoner’s presentation of Gagarin is valuable and extensive. It gives us another historical example of a division within Christian experience that still troubles many.” —Journal of the American Academy of Religion“...fascinating and thoroughly researched.... The volume is a valuable resource for understanding some misguided approaches of Catholicism toward Orthodoxy.” —Theological Studies

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Book SynopsisIncarnate Love is a major contribution to both Orthodox ethics and to Christian self-understanding. Completely revised with a new preface and two additional chapters, this work aims to articulate a social ethic that can make sense of the Orthodox experience in the United States, as well as challenge the Orthodox tradition to formulate a new strategy for church and societal interaction.Trade Review“This is a fine and provocative work, one whose theological and historical insights become more telling with each re-reading. . .” —Westminster Theological Journal“[Guroian’s] book breaks new ground by confronting in a radical but constructive manner the teaching of Eastern Christianity with the ethical thought of the Western church.” —Theological Book Review“This is a good book . . . it deserves careful and attentive reading as a well-informed, competent, and well-articulated piece of theological writing.” —Greek Orthodox Theological Review“. . . here is a striking breakthrough into the field of ethics by a scholar of the Armenian Orthodox Church in America. In this collection of well-crafted, provocative essays, Guroian interacts creatively with such contemporary ethicists as R. J. Neuhaus, J. C. Murray, S. Hauerwas, J. H. Yoder, and S. Harakas.” —Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society“. . . insightful and provocative . . . these essays provide rich food for thought. This is a welcome volume—devoted to thinking about ethics within a theological context, but concerned with large social questions . . . one of the very few accessible works in Orthodox ethics.” —Religious Studies Review"[A] superb collection of essays.... Vigen Guroian's remarkable offering of Orthodox Christian perspectives in ethics has stood the test of time and this new edition hopefully will allow more readers to encounter the singular, liturgical and spiritual approach to ethics of the Eastern Church." —St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly“It is a great delight to encounter a fresh voice in the field of Christian ethics, especially when that voice speaks for a very rich strand within the Christian tradition and one which is seldom heard in contemporary discussion of ethical questions. . . . The dialogue among Christian ethicists is greatly enriched by the active participation of such a well-informed, perceptive, and challenging voice from the Orthodox tradition.” —Heythrop Journal

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Book SynopsisThe central task of Being With God is an analysis of the relation between apophaticism, trinitarian theology, and divine-human communion through a critical comparison of the trinitarian theologies of the Eastern Orthodox theologians Vladimir Lossky (190358) and John Zizioulas (1931 ), arguably two of the most influential Orthodox theologians of the past century. These two theologians identify as the heart and center of all theological discourse the realism of divine-human communion, which is often understood in terms of the familiar Orthodox concept of theosis, or divinization. The Incarnation, according to Lossky and Zizioulas, is the event of a real divine-human communion that is made accessible to all; God has become human so that all may participate fully in the divine life.Aristotle Papanikolaou shows how an ontology of divine-human communion is at the center of both Lossky''s and Zizioulas''s theological projects. He also shows how, for both theologTrade Review“The book compares the Trinitarian theologies of Vladimir Lossky and John Zizioulas with a view to illustrating how each author conceives of the communion between God and humanity. Both authors affirm the reality of the divine-human communion, yet there are profound differences in the way Lossky and Zizioulas envisage and explain such communion.” —Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies“In this book, Aristotle Papanikolaou compares the Trinitarian theologies of Vladimir Lossky and John Zizioulas, two of the foremost Orthodox minds of the twentieth century. He argues that while both men take the reality of divine-human communion as the starting point for their reflection about God, they wind up constructing dissimilar, even mutually incompatible, theologies.” —Anglican Theological Review“The result is a helpful comparative analysis that shows how common affirmations within the theological task can lead to very different outcomes: Lossky with his prominent apophaticism and Zizioulas with his Eucharistic ecclesiology. . . . Being with God shows that substantial diversity exists within contemporary Orthodox theology . . . Papanikolaou shows himself to be a careful reader of Lossky and Zizioulas.” —International Journal of Systematic Theology“This is an analysis of the relation between apophaticism, Trinitarian theology, and divine-human communion through a critical comparison of the Trinitarian theologies of Vladimir Lossky and John Zizioulas, arguably two of the most influential Orthodox theologians of the past century. Papanikolaou shows how an ontology of divine-human communion is at the center of both Lossky's and Zizioula's theological projects and how they use this core belief as a self-identifying marker against 'Western' theologies.” —Theology Digest“How is divine-human encounter possible given that the triune God transcends human logic, thought, and speech-so that man can speak of him only in apophatic (negative) terms? How is this possible unless the triune God is immanent within creation and man can speak of him in cataphatic (positive) terms? . . . Papanikolaou's work is important because it critically compares two ontological answers to these questions by Vladimir Lossky (1903-1958) and John Zizioulas (1931-), two of the most influential Eastern Orthodox theologians of the twentieth century. As such, it provides a window into significant developments and debates in contemporary Orthodox thought.” —Westminster Theological Journal “This book is a tour de force of conversational theology. The author offers a beautiful exercise in a 'hermeneutics of charity,' because, for him, critical engagement with the two theologians under discussion does not amount to deconstruction but to a fruitful and truthful encounter, which takes the 'struggle' of conversation seriously.” —The Journal of Religion“This carefully researched, cogently argued book undertakes a comparative exploration of two twentieth century orthodox theologians: Vladimir Lossky and John Zizioulas. While their emphases and conclusions differ, both authors endeavor to counteract the 'western' rationalism sneaking into contemporary orthodoxy by appealing to the doctrine of theosis. . . . By far the most beautifully written sections of Being with God are those concerned with Zizioulas's Eucharistic theology which, for Papanikolaou, counters with Losskian dangers of individualism, impersonalism, and substantialism.” —Modern Theology

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Book SynopsisIn Hidden Holiness, Michael Plekon challenges us to examine the concept of holiness. He argues that both Orthodox and Catholic churches understand saints to be individuals whose lives and deeds are unusual, extraordinary, or miraculous. Such a requirement for sainthood undermines, in his view, one of the basic messages of Christianity: that all people are called to holiness. Instead of focusing on the ecclesiastical process of recognizing saints, Plekon explores a more ordinary and less noticeable hidden holiness, one founded on the calling of all to be prophets and priests and witnesses to the Gospel. As Rowan Williams has insisted, people of faith need to find God's work in their culture and daily lives. With that in mind, Plekon identifies a fascinatingly diverse group of faithful who exemplify an everyday sanctity, as well as the tools they have used to enact their faith. Plekon calls upon contemporary writersamong them, Rowan Williams, Kathleen Norris, SaraTrade Review“What is ‘holiness,’ really? Hidden Holiness is a scholarly examination of what is holy in modern society, and calls for people to make their own judgments on what really matters in today’s world. Could what is truly holy be hidden from the public eye, unbeknownst to many? Seeking to promote discussion of this topic, author Michael Plekon presents an intriguing examination of modern day holiness, making Hidden Holiness a highly valued read.” —Midwest Book Review“Hidden Holiness, drawing . . . on Orthodox spirituality, but with an ecumenical sweep, discusses the holiness that can be attained by doing ordinary things. In seven meaty chapters, including an ecumenical cast of characters, Plekon searches for the strategies and resources that bring people close to God, for, as he rightly understands, holiness is a fundamental characteristic of God, and everyone else is holy to the degree that he or she is drawn closer to God. . . . This book is especially recommended to those who are interested in solid work on spirituality but who have little knowledge of the Christian East in general or Russian thought in particular.” —Commonweal“At the core of this book is a strong argument that holiness can be revealed by the faithful living of ordinary people in the world. In so doing, it offers a powerful and practical model of Christian life, making this a thought-provoking work on hagiography, ethics, and spirituality.” —Religious Studies Review“. . . in the new book [Plekon] reaches out to saintly icons in his own and other churches. His theme is straightforward: that holiness can be sought, found and lived in the simplicity and complexity of everyday life among ‘ordinary people’ who seek the foundation of their existence in the search for God.” —The American Benedictine Review“Michael Plekon suggests in Hidden Holiness that our cult of celebrity has elevated some figures to sainthood, by process or public acclaim, while most holiness is lived out as ‘hidden holiness.’ . . . Recommended for personal or group study, Hidden Holiness would be particularly effective for a retreat setting and for anyone interested in contemplative reading.” —Congregational Libraries Today“Without doubt it is usual for preachers to recall that the Christian life is one of everyday engagement—holiness is not reserved to a happy few ‘extra-terrestrials’ but each of us is called to sanctity by baptism. This is why it is not at all bad to sometimes examine the lives of Christians who are not and never will be canonized as saints but who offer us a reflection of God’s image . . . simply because they were human beings . . . Contrary to what we might think, these also reveal to us a side of God’s infinite love that we could really put to use. This is what . . . Plekon has set out to uncover, following the path he took earlier in Living Icons . . . [the individuals he presents] are not perfect and their very public failings are likely obstacles to their official recognition by the church. Nevertheless they turned to God who gave them the strength to fully live their lives on earth, caring for their brothers and sisters, in imitation of Christ. It is precisely in this that their witness raises profound question for us all, especially for all Christians.” —Irènikon“This very readable book amounts to a verbal symphony on the theme of holiness: a holiness hidden and non-spectacular, contemporary and accessible, yet still beguiling and mysterious. . . . Hidden Holiness is an important contribution to the current literature on Christian holiness. In particular, it merits the attention of anyone interested in the growth of the calendar of saints in various branches of the church.” —The Living Church“Hidden Holiness is particularly strong in showing that saints wrestle with faith, struggle with personal demons, and go about the business of their daily lives much as everyone else does. This book is a real joy to read, a challenging feast of the soul that not only nourishes but also inspires.” —Cistercian Studies Quarterly“If asked to name a person who has exemplified holiness, do you think of one of the classical saints, or do you think of a friend or family member? Michael Plekon suggests in Hidden Holiness that our cult of celebrity has elevated some figures to sainthood, by process or public acclaim, while most holiness is lived out as ‘hidden holiness.’ His book will be best appreciated by those who have saints and icons as part of their faith heritage. But there is plenty here for any reader.” —Church & Synagogue Library Association“Appreciation of holiness embedded in ordinary life permeates this book. Encouraging a reassessment of saintliness and educating people toward reimagining holiness are concerns here. Michael Plekon . . . focuses on women and men—Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant—who model hidden holiness.” —Horizons

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Book SynopsisTheosis, or the principle of divine-human communion, sparks the theological imagination of Orthodox Christians and has been historically important to questions of political theology. In The Mystical as Political: Democracy and Non-Radical Orthodoxy, Aristotle Papanikolaou argues that a political theology grounded in the principle of divine-human communion must be one that unequivocally endorses a political community that is democratic in a way that structures itself around the modern liberal principles of freedom of religion, the protection of human rights, and church-state separation. Papanikolaou hopes to forge a non-radical Orthodox political theology that extends beyond a reflexive opposition to the West and a nostalgic return to a Byzantine-like unified political-religious culture. His exploration is prompted by two trends: the fall of communism in traditionally Orthodox countries has revealed an unpreparedness on the part of Orthodox Christianity to address the qTrade Review“Papanikolaou’s The Mystical as Political is a welcome addition to current debates in political theology. His emphasis on the importance of theosis or divine-human communion marks a distinct contribution that should appeal to students and researchers interested in the relationship between theology and politics and the role that Orthodox thought can and should play in current and future discussions.” —Religion and Theology“Historically informed, critically agile, and most likely bar-setting for future treatments of what a twenty-first century Orthodox political theology may look like.” —Sobornost“It is, indeed, essential reading and puts forward a challenging and uncompromising affirmation of human dignity, personhood, and politics colored by the light of the Orthodox concept of divine-human communion, while admirably endeavoring not to confuse the ecclesial with the political nor neglect the ascetic and relational reality of human community and love.” —Journal of Markets and Morality“The Mystical as Political is an important contribution to conversations on Orthodoxy, theology, and politics, written in response to the underdeveloped voice of Orthodoxy in law and politics. . . . This timely, constructive book will generate much reflection, discussion, and debate in Orthodox circles. For those interested in the intrinsic connections between mystical theology and politics, this book is essential reading.” —Anglican Theological Review“The Mystical as Political may be the theological equivalent of a venus flytrap. It has the potential to draw multiple interests and points of view into a conversation about the kinds of politics theosis demands. So rather than an indestructible apologia for liberal democracy, Papanikolaou has given us something more engaging, and thus, according to his own stated intentions, more successful.” —Modern Theology“Papanikolaou has written an excellent and timely book. . . . [His] narrative is fascinating and his argumentation sharp and carefully balanced. Well versed in both Eastern and Western theology, he is therefore able to bring together insights from both traditions into fruitful dialogue.” —Theology“This recent work by Aristotle Papanikolaou . . . is a profound achievement in political theology. Papanikolaou’s work fills a great void in Orthodox Christian studies as well as political theology. . . . What I find particularly helpful in this work is his positive appreciation of liberal democracy and human rights from an Orthodox Christian perspective, which many Orthodox prelates and theologians simply find incompatible with their faith tradition.” —Journal of Church and State“Aristotle Papanikolaou’s The Mystical as Political is a welcome contribution to discussions concerning Christian political theology in particular and the role of religion in the contemporary context more generally. His ‘non-radical Orthodoxy’ supports critical engagement with modern liberal democracies on the basis of the church’s mission to persuade human beings to enter freely into communion with God.” —Journal of Religion“Drawing on a wide range of historical source and contemporary political theology, [Papanikolaou] offers a fresh and constructive overview of the relationship between Orthodox Christianity and the political realm. Papanikolaou’s book makes a welcome contribution to the debate on the significance of symphonia in contemporary politics.” —Religion, State and Society“. . . Aristotle Papanikolaou engages Orthodox tradition, a persistent Eastern suspicion of Western values, and contemporary Western theological assertions that liberal democracy is anathema to a eucharistic understanding of church. . . This book is a model for how a scholar can be critical, careful, and even generous in his disagreements.” —Horizons

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Book SynopsisMany regions of the world whose histories include war and violent conflict have or once had strong ties to Orthodox Christianity. Yet policy makers, religious leaders, and scholars often neglect Orthodoxy's resources when they reflect on the challenges of war.Through essays written by prominent Orthodox scholars in the fields of biblical studies, church history, Byzantine studies, theology, patristics, political science, ethics, and biology, Orthodox Christian Perspectives on War presents and examines the Orthodox tradition's nuanced and unique insights on the meaning and challenges of war with an eye toward their contemporary relevance. This volume is structured in three parts: Confronting the Present Day Reality, Reengaging Orthodoxy's Tradition, and Constructive Directions in Orthodox Theology and Ethics. Each exemplifies the value of interdisciplinary reflection on war and the potential for the Eastern Orthodox tradition to enhance ecumenical and interfaith discussTrade Review“This book brings together a number of Orthodox perspectives that are timely, informative yet original, and constructive. Most theological treatments of the ethics of war are Catholic and Protestant, and Orthodox Christians offer a fascinating perspective that might stimulate imaginative thinking and chisel away at some impasses. The volume provides a wonderful springboard for a serious conversation to happen.” —Tobias Winright, Hubert Mäder Endowed Chair of Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University“Through essays by prominent Orthodox scholars across many fields, this collection presents and examines the Orthodox tradition’s nuanced and unique insights on the meaning and challenges of war with an eye toward their contemporary relevance.” —Publishers Weekly“Orthodox Christian Perspectives on War makes an important contribution to the scholarly conversation on how Orthodoxy views the ethics of war and peace. Since it includes essays from a variety of scholars with expertise in various subdisciplines of religious studies and theology, this study stands alone as an integrated collection of diverse scholarly treatments of the subject matter.” —Philip LeMasters, McMurry University and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary"Orthodox Christian thought on the phenomenon of war remains largely unknown in the West, an imbalance that this path-breaking volume successfully amends. These twelve essays grapple with biblical, patristic, historical and theological sources, presenting critical insights through a diverse range of perspectives and methodologies. This volume will no doubt become the standard point of departure for subsequent scholarly discussions of this topic among Eastern Orthodox Christians, as well as for all those seeking meaningful and novel options in the endeavor to understand the complex and disturbing reality of war." —Rev. Maximos Constas, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology"Protestants and Catholics are heirs to two traditions regarding war and peace—'Just War Theory' and 'Christian Pacifism.' While Eastern Orthodoxy has no systematic stance on war or military service, this collection demonstrates that it can cast new light on the debate, providing evidence of distinct approaches to the question and a critique of those who maintain that orthodox teaching can be subsumed under those developed by Western Christianity. Beyond a general consensus that no war is just but is at best a lesser evil, this book displays some surprising vantages." —Library Journal

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Book SynopsisExamines the appropriation of Thomas Aquinas's understanding of providence by a fifteenth-century Greek Orthodox theologian, Gennadios Scholarios. Matthew Briel investigates the intersection of Aquinas's theology, the legacy of Greek patristic and theological traditions, and the use of Aristotle's philosophy by Latin and Greek Christian thinkers.Trade Review“A Greek Thomist has significant implications not only for the study of the Byzantine reception of Aquinas but also for the scholarly understanding of Thomas himself (not least with regard to Thomas’s own Greek patristic inheritance). Matthew Briel handles his sources well—with balance, linguistic expertise, and theological precision.” —Marcus Plested, author of Orthodox Readings of Aquinas"This beautifully written and persuasively argued book is a splendid achievement for a young scholar’s first monograph-length contribution to a complex field of studies." —Journal of Orthodox Christian Studies

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“There simply is nothing like The Eucharistic Sacrifice available in English.” —John Behr, author of John the Theologian and His Paschal Gospel"Mark Roosien’s work here is a model in theological translation.... His introduction places the text not only in the context of the author’s life, but also in the context of Bulgakov’s unfolding eucharistic theology, of which this text is the final expression. With this translation, we have another key piece available to the English-speaking world of the work of one the most creative theological authors of the previous century, and one whose vision is only now entering into the main currents of ecumenical and systematic reflection." —Modern TheologyTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Eucharist as Sacrifice 2. The Special Character of Old Testament Sacrifices 3. What is “Remembrance” (anámnēsis)? 4. Heavenly and Earthly Sacrifice 5. The Eucharist and its Institution 6. Eucharistic Transmutation 7. The Divine-human Sacrifice I 8. The Divine-human Sacrifice II 9. The Atoning Sacrifice (The Eucharistic Memorial) 10. The Eucharist and the Mother of God Conclusion

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“There simply is nothing like The Eucharistic Sacrifice available in English.” —John Behr, author of John the Theologian and His Paschal Gospel"Mark Roosien’s work here is a model in theological translation.... His introduction places the text not only in the context of the author’s life, but also in the context of Bulgakov’s unfolding eucharistic theology, of which this text is the final expression. With this translation, we have another key piece available to the English-speaking world of the work of one the most creative theological authors of the previous century, and one whose vision is only now entering into the main currents of ecumenical and systematic reflection." —Modern TheologyTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Eucharist as Sacrifice 2. The Special Character of Old Testament Sacrifices 3. What is “Remembrance” (anámnēsis)? 4. Heavenly and Earthly Sacrifice 5. The Eucharist and its Institution 6. Eucharistic Transmutation 7. The Divine-human Sacrifice I 8. The Divine-human Sacrifice II 9. The Atoning Sacrifice (The Eucharistic Memorial) 10. The Eucharist and the Mother of God Conclusion

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Book SynopsisCatholics without Rome examines the dawn of the modern, ecumenical age, when Old Catholics, unable to abide Rome's new doctrine of papal infallibility, sought unity with other catholics in the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches.In 1870, the First Vatican Council formally embraced and defined the dogma of papal infallibility. A small and vocal minority, comprised in large part of theologians from Germany and Switzerland, judged it uncatholic and unconscionable, and they abandoned the Roman Catholic Church, calling themselves Old Catholics. This study examines the Old Catholic Church's efforts to create a new ecclesiastical structure, separate from Rome, while simultaneously seeking unity with other Christian confessions. Many who joined the Old Catholic movement had long argued for interconfessional dialogue, contemplating the possibility of uniting with Anglicans and the Eastern Orthodox. The reunion negotiations initiated by Old Catholics marked the beginniTrade Review“This volume is a valuable, even a necessary, piece of the modern story of Christianity. I think such a marvelous work echoes some of the similar discerning outlook of Diarmaid MacCulloch’s splendid Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years.” —Michael Plekon, author of The World as Sacrament“The reader comes away with a clear and nuanced picture of the Old Catholic movement, a real appreciation for the depth of the ecumenical thinking it inspired, and a good grasp of interconfessional relations in the nineteenth century.” —Paul Valliere, author of Conciliarism"This volume is readable and engaging, and it contains sufficient explanations to be accessible to the non-expert...a welcome contribution to the study of Christian history." — Reading Religion"Geffert and Boerneke reveal themselves to be trusted mentors who themselves treat their sources with respect, critical acumen, and perspicacious contextual awareness." — Journal of Ecumenical StudiesTable of ContentsAbout This Work Note on Transliteration and Dates Epigraph Preface Introduction 1. Nineteenth-Century Ecumenism 2. Rome 3. The Vatican Council 4. Reactions and Rupture 5. Making Sense of Old Catholics 6. Establishing the Old Catholic Ecclesia 7. Intensifying Interest 8. Preparing for Bonn 9. The First Bonn Reunion Conference, 1874 10. The Second Bonn Reunion Conference, 1875 11. Ways Part 12. Explaining Failure 13. Aftermath as Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIn A Philosophy of the Unsayable, Franke argues that the encounter with what exceeds speech has become the crucial philosophical issue of our time.Trade Review"William Franke is an articulate spokesman for what cannot be said not only with regards to modern European poetry but also with respect to contemporary theology. A Philosophy of the Unsayable is essential reading for everyone working in religion and literature and in modern theology." —Kevin Hart, Edwin B. Kyle Professor of Christian Studies, University of Virginia"By now, it would seem that there could be no more to say about not-saying. Apophatic language and negative theology have been accused of meaninglessness, nihilism, and even ill-concealed ontologies. In this lovely and surprising book, William Franke not only deftly undoes these criticisms but shows that apophasis underlies and strangely grounds all language and thought, even of those very discourses that most vigorously reject it. A Philosophy of the Unsayable demonstrates with elegance that there is indeed more to say, and more that is both meaningful and important." — Karmen MacKendrick, Le Moyne College"William Franke is an eminent scholar in comparative literature, who is schooled in philosophy and religion. He is recognized as one of the most creative contemporary thinkers working at the double intersection of philosophy and literature and philosophy and theology. A Philosophy of the Unsayable shows an intellectual grasp of a dizzying array of discourses and sheds real light on all thinkers who are discussed." —Cyril O'Regan, Huisking Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame"Strongly reflecting academic debates of the last thirty years, Franke's book is not quite a research monograph and not quite a course book but a thoughtful, provoking and often helpful exploration of an intellectually and spiritually demanding discourse." —Theology"William Franke has emerged as our foremost purveyor of what cannot be said. . . . We should be grateful for this extended articulation, since it also informs us why the unsayable must be said. . . . Given its breadth—the range of thinkers and thought that is covered—and its challenge—to keep open ‘conscious human reflection that refuses to be cut off from the mystery of its ground’—this is a remarkable text, and deserves close attention at every level." —Literature & Theology

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Book SynopsisGrdzelidze's study evaluates the present state of ecclesiology in the Orthodox Church, focusing on the history of autocephaly and its relationship with the rise of religious nationalism.To date, the Orthodox Church has not sufficiently addressed the pressing problem of religious nationalism. Tamara Grdzelidze's Ecclesial Boundaries and National Identity in the Orthodox Church fills this lacuna, offering a solution to the ecclesiological problems posed by the rise of group-related sentiment in Orthodox communities.Grdzelidze's monograph begins with an examination of the history of autocephaly and synodality in the Orthodox Church. As she explains, the political autonomy of local churches in the Eastern Roman Empire, which was later transformed into autocephaly, instinctively carried the kernel of group-related sentiments, whether national or ethnic. Over time, such sentiments have given rise to religious nationalism, which has further resulted in the inabiTrade Review“This book does not speak simply to an Orthodox audience or to ecclesiological issues. Engagement with this concept of autocephaly is crucial to understanding the role of religion in the politics of Russia and Eastern Europe.” —Aristotle Papanikolaou, co-editor of Fundamentalism or Tradition“This book is a precious exercise in building a bridge between different areas of global Christianity and even different areas within the Orthodox Churches.” —Massimo Faggioli, author of The Church in a Change of Era"The present crisis in Eastern Europe has highlighted the deep problems around the relation of Orthodox Christianity to state power and national mythology. In this wonderfully learned and wide-ranging book, Tamara Grdzelidze brings together historical, sociological, and theological reflections to argue that the connections between Orthodoxy and national identity are far more diverse and fluid than many imagine, and that it is time for some serious rethinking of conventional attitudes—and even canonical structures—in the Orthodox world. A vital book for understanding the current challenges in the Eastern Christian world." —Rowan Williams, 104th Archbishop of CanterburyTable of ContentsContents Introduction 1. Emerging Ecclesial Boundaries in the Eastern Roman Empire 2. National Borders and Secular Boundaries 3. Autocephaly and a Secular Age: painful adaptation to Pluralism 4. Autocephaly and Studying Nationalism/studies on N 5. Contextualization of Autocephaly: Russian Orthodox Church Orthodox Church of Georgia Orthodox Church of Ukraine 6. Eucharistic Vision as Hermeneutics for Orthodox Synodality Conclusions

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Book SynopsisBook offers the first systematic treatment and evaluation of the Swiss Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar's complex relation to modern speculative religious philosophy.Trade Review"This sophisticated introduction to Hans Urs von Balthasar's work shows readers who might be puzzled by some of his seemingly strange claims on infinite distance in the Trinity or the Urkenosis where these claims come from and why they get incorporated into his theology. Jennifer Newsome Martin situates Balthasar's work so that some of the more superficial criticisms are revealed as superficial. She shows the origins of some of the revisionist theories in theology proper and why Balthasar opposed rather than affirmed them." —D. Stephen Long, Cary M. Maguire University Professor in Ethics at Southern Methodist University"In this book, Jennifer Newsome Martin explores a dimension of Balthasar’s work that has received little attention thus far, namely, his engagement with Schelling and the great Russian theologians of the modern era. In doing so, she casts a new light, not only on the content of Balthasar’s theology, but perhaps even more so on his 'theological style,' and offers a compelling response to the Swiss thinker’s critics, who accuse him of speculating too freely about the mysteries of the faith from a 'God’s-eye' perspective." —D. C. Schindler, Pontifical John Paul II Institute“With Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Critical Appropriation of Russian Religious Thought, Jennifer Newsome Martin has produced an accomplished, literate, and original contribution that is much needed in Balthasar scholarship. To my knowledge, this is the only text on Balthasar and three important Russian Orthodox thinkers—Soloviev, Berdyaev, and Bulgakov—who engaged ancient Christianity with modern philosophical currents. Additionally, Martin brings to light aspects of Balthasar’s theological method that go beyond Balthasar’s own importance to broader issues in theology.” —Anthony C. Sciglitano, Seton Hall University"By considering how Balthasar incorporates and rejects the fruits of a uniquely daring and speculative period within Russian theology . . . Martin is able to provide one of the more lucid introductions to the speculative yet ultimately disciplined character of Balthasar's own theology . . . [Her] careful analysis of where Balthasar follows the lead of his Russian interlocutors . . . and where he demurs from their more radical conclusions in the name of Catholic doctrine and/or Christocentric theology serves a more subterranean yet compelling purpose: to demonstrate that Balthasar, whose capacious appreciation for intellectual sources outside of Roman Catholicism and indeed outside the orbit of Christian theology altogether, nonetheless was creatively orthodox in his interweaving of these disparate strands into a sustained theological vision of the fulfillment of all human endeavors—artistic, philosophical, and religious—in the resurrected life of Christ. . . . The result of this is a marvelously scholarly and non-polemical survey of some key themes in Balthasar's theology, particularly in relation to eschatology, biblical hermeneutics, and the role of myth in theology." —Per Caritatem“This subtle and sophisticated book is primarily a study of the theological method of Hans Urs von Balthasar, conducted in an unusual way. It proceeds by investigating the use to which van Balthasar puts three Russian religious philosophers, Nicholas Berdyaev, Vladimir Soloviev, and Sergei Bulgakov in their use of elements from the metaphysical world-view of the German Idealist or, better, ‘Real-Idealist’ philosopher F. W. J. Schelling. . . . [Her book] contributes significantly to an historical understanding of the creative interplay between Eastern Orthodox thought and the renewal of Western Catholic theology in the mid-twentieth century.” —Journal of Jesuit Studies“Jennifer Newsome Martin’s timely, ambitious and novel approach is fundamentally useful in understanding the nature of Balthasar’s speculative and expansive theological approach, as well as offering insights into the influence of both Romantic and modern Russian religious though upon his writings. Martin’s study makes us realize how prosaic that question [of whether Balthasar was conservative or liberal in approach] is, because she opens up entirely fresh avenues within Balthasar’s thought and even provokes new speculations too.” —Theology"Jennifer Newsome Martin’s Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Critical Appropriation of Russian Religious Thought is an incredible achievement. It serves both as an elegant scholarly study of controverted yet ill-explored areas of Balthasar’s work and as a crucial evaluation of the very foundations of Balthasar’s theological speculations. . . . It is also a remarkable work of scholarship, simultaneously unveiling Balthasar’s relationships to the Russian school and Schelling and unveiling Balthasar’s theological method. By integrating the two, Martin avoids the temptation to create method out of instinct or wishful thinking." —Nova et Vetera“Jennifer Newsome Martin’s book is certainly unique, most interesting, and informative in several areas that are rarely covered by the literature on von Balthasar.” —Cithara

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Book SynopsisExamines the aesthetic principles and spiritual operations at work in Hagia Sophia. Drawing on art and architectural history, liturgy, musicology, and acoustics, explores the Byzantine paradigm of animation.Trade Review“The interdisciplinary methods of exploration and the development of digital technology in the cultural heritage preservation of the Hagia Sophia’s aural and visual environment in Pentcheva’s book are intriguing, well-researched, and rich to a depth previously unexplored. Hagia Sophia: Sound, Space, and Spirit in Byzantium is worth adding to any collection exploring new innovations in archeoacoustical, art historical, and architectural research in Byzantine or medieval periods.”—Marianne R. Williams ARLIS/NA Reviews“Evocatively rendered in careful prose, new photography, and recorded sound, this synthetic account breathes new life into a remarkable, elusive monument. Highly recommended.”—M. Rautman Choice“Reminds us not only how much the study of aurality in Byzantine studies has yet to offer but also what the hidden aspects of Hagia Sophia might still yield.”—Mati Meyer caa.reviews“Pentcheva’s book is a bold and at times thrilling attempt to decipher the building as living architecture.”—Amy Papalexandrou Speculum“This handsome volume reflects the author’s deep and sustained engagement of more than a decade with the sensory world of Byzantine worshippers as they experienced objects, ritual performance, and Hagia Sophia’s architectural setting.”—Nina Macaraig Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians“In this forceful study we come to understand how sound and image come alive in architecture. Hagia Sophia does important work in paving the way towards a multisensorial analysis of architecture that does not prioritize or privilege one sense over another nor flatten distinctions between the senses.”—Emanuela Vai Art History“This erudite, highly original book explores the ways in which the sixth-century church of Hagia Sophia engaged all the senses in a rich and dynamic exchange of air, sound, fragrance, movement, and light between heaven and earth to create an all-enveloping spiritual experience for the worshipper. Using sources ranging from modern acoustic science to sixth-century poetry, Pentcheva establishes a fluid, multisensory, kinetic interpretive model that will transform our understanding of Byzantine sacred space.”—Deborah Howard,coauthor of Sound and Space in Renaissance Venice“Pentcheva’s Hagia Sophia dares us to think creatively about the materials we study and all those things that we cannot definitively prove or validate within conventional art historical frameworks. It is a book that glimmers and murmurs to us about the past, densely filling in our mental images of these spaces and rituals with smells and sounds.”—Roland Betancourt Art Bulletin“Hagia Sophia: Sound, Space, and Spirit in Byzantium is, simply put, an extraordinary achievement, an unprecedented exploration of the liturgical experience afforded by the Great Church of Constantinople in its nine-century career (532-1453 CE) as a Christian holy place.”—Brian A. Butcher Reading ReligionTable of ContentsContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 Sophia and Choros: The Making of Sacred Space in Byzantium2 Inspiriting in the Byzantine Consecration (Kathierōsis) Rite3 Icons of Breath4 Aural Architecture5 Material Flux: Marble, Water, and Chant 6 The Horizontal Mirror and the Poetics of the Imaginary7 Empathy and the Making of Art in ByzantiumConclusionNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisRecovering the roots of Christian orthodoxyTrade ReviewThe authors’ aim is exposing false divisions. It analyses the development of Christianity through major ears of history; it then re-states the essence of the Christian faith – explicitly following the precedent of C. S. Lewis in his classic Mere Christianity. Followers of Christ across the spectrum are challenged to affirm the core truth of the gospel, and to use under-valued resources from the faithful of two thousand years. The analysis proposes that current divisions are as far-reaching as the East/West split, or as the Reformation. I think we will have to wait for history to judge that, but the accounts of the Reformation and of the Modern Age are both good reading. ‘Mere’ or ‘Deep’ Christianity, or the Gospel, is then defined. It is both believing and behaving. It is both the narrative of Christ and the experience of the spirit. It is both the doctrine of the creed and the actions of worship and ethical living. There are repeated challenges to both liberal and conservative assumptions. Finally there are impassioned calls for much more attentions to teaching the faith in a culture where it is largely unfamiliar to people, and for much more attention to the central place and value of communion. -- Rosemary Medhurst * The Reader *

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Book SynopsisA much-needed book on understanding the Orthodox tradition, and living and growing as an Orthodox ChristianTrade ReviewMartin’s book is the delighted exclamation of someone who has learnt – is learning – to swim in the ocean that is Orthodoxy, an ocean of experience, our own, and that of all the saints: "Come on in; it is lovely here!" -- Andrew Louth, from the Foreword[Churchwardens: A Survival Guide] Packed full of useful facts and presented in a very readable way * thegoodbookstall *A very clear, pastoral guide to survival for both churchwarden and minister. * Ministry Today *[Serving the Parish: How to be an Effective PCC Member] [The authors] have done a magnificent job in detailing all the functions, responsibilities and inner workings of Anglican PCCs, as well as providing wonderful insights into the intricacies of the cumbersome CofE hierarchies. * Christian Marketplace *[The Parish Survival Guide] Cleverly put together from personal experience and issues that need to be addressed by clergy in their parishes; simple to read and fun to take note of as well as serious issues about complaints etc. * thegoodbookstall *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Privileged Minorities successfully problematizes the politics of minority rights, interrogating whether numerical minority status equates to sociopolitical disadvantage...[A] crucial text for the expert and non-expert alike..." * Religious Studies Review *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Privileged Minorities successfully problematizes the politics of minority rights, interrogating whether numerical minority status equates to sociopolitical disadvantage...[A] crucial text for the expert and non-expert alike..." * Religious Studies Review *

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Book SynopsisEmbedded with lively portrayals of historical actors and vivid descriptions of political details, A Spiritual Revolution is the first large-scale effort to fully identify exactly how Western progressive thought influenced the Russian Church.Trade ReviewIvanov breaks new ground in his exploration of the link between Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Theological and political concepts are explained with clarity, and the evolution of abstract ideas is embedded in a lively portrayal of political and social history. It will become the go-to book on Russian Orthodoxy in the eighteenth century." - Alexander M. Martin, author of Enlightened Metropolis: Constructing Imperial Moscow, 1762-1855"Tells a compelling and historiographically important story by way of intellectual and institutional archaeology. Ivanov brings historical nuance to a neglected and generally misunderstood piece of history." - Patrick Lally Michelson, author of Beyond the Monastery Walls: The Ascetic Revolution in Russian Orthodox Thought, 1814-1914

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Book SynopsisEmbedded with lively portrayals of historical actors and vivid descriptions of political details, A Spiritual Revolution is the first large-scale effort to fully identify exactly how Western progressive thought influenced the Russian Church.Trade Review“Ivanov breaks new ground in his exploration of the link between Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Theological and political concepts are explained with clarity, and the evolution of abstract ideas is embedded in a lively portrayal of political and social history. It will become the go-to book on Russian Orthodoxy in the eighteenth century.”—Alexander M. Martin, author of Enlightened Metropolis: Constructing Imperial Moscow, 1762–1855 “Tells a compelling and historiographically important story by way of intellectual and institutional archaeology. Ivanov brings historical nuance to a neglected and generally misunderstood piece of history.”—Patrick Lally Michelson, author of Beyond the Monastery Walls: The Ascetic Revolution in Russian Orthodox Thought, 1814–1914 “Well-researched and provocative. . . . Engaging and thought provoking.”—Canadian-American Slavic Studies

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Book SynopsisDraws upon extensive archival research to examine the effects of the pastoral movement on Russian society and the Orthodox Church. Daniel Scarborough argues that the social work of parish clergymen shifted the focus of Orthodox practice in Russia toward cooperative social activism as a devotional activity.Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1 The New Kind of Pastor 2 War, Revolution, and Famine 3 Revolt in the Seminaries 4 The Church as a School 5 The Parish Crisis 6 The Pastor as a Political Actor 7 Revolution in the Church Conclusion Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe late Russian Empire experienced rapid economic change, social dislocation, and multiple humanitarian crises, enduring two wars, two famines, and three revolutions. Daniel Scarborough considers the roles played by pastors in the closing decades of the failing tsarist empire and the explosive 1917 revolutions.Trade Review“Russia’s Social Gospel thoughtfully and expertly adds an important piece to the puzzle of this complex, historically contingent thing we call Russian Orthodoxy.”—Patrick Lally Michelson, Indiana University “A combination of solid archival research and compelling historical interpretations.”—Irina Paert, University of Tartu “The author’s scholarship is detailed and his prose lucid. . . . This is an exceptional chronicle.”—Publishers Weekly “A fascinating glimpse into an often overlooked discourse in Russian church history. . . . Scarborough has taken great pains to put the archival resources at his disposal into a coherent narrative that challenges both the conception of the late imperial Russian Orthodox Church as a monolithic entity and the inability of grassroots initiatives of the time to work toward true democratization. . . . A well-researched and broad approach that highlights fascinating aspects of Russian religious history.”—H-RussiaTable of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1 The New Kind of Pastor 2 War, Revolution, and Famine 3 Revolt in the Seminaries 4 The Church as a School 5 The Parish Crisis 6 The Pastor as a Political Actor 7 Revolution in the Church Conclusion Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTwo leading academic scholars offer the first comprehensive source reader on the Eastern Orthodox church for the English-speaking world. Designed specifically for students and accessible to readers with little or no previous knowledge of theology or religious history, this essential, one-of-a-kind work frames, explores, and interprets Eastern Orthodoxy through the use of primary sources and documents. Lively introductions and short narratives that touch on anthropology, art, law, literature, music, politics, women's studies, and a host of other areas are woven together to provide a coherent and fascinating history of the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition.Trade Review"Bryn Geffert and Theofanis G. Stavrou's Eastern Orthodox Christianity: The Essential Texts is a most welcome resource for individuals seeking access to standard texts of the Orthodox tradition, as well as scholars [who] teach Orthodox Christian history and theology."-Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen, Reading Religion -- Brenda Llevellyn Ihssen Reading Religion "[A] superb collection."-Kristine Q. Baker, Washington Book Review -- Kristine Q. Baker Washington Book Review

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Book SynopsisA fascinating, vivid, and on-the-ground account of Russian Orthodoxy's resurgenceTrade Review”I loved this book because it echoes so much of my own experience and also explains and articulates in a very readable way how the church both sees itself, and is seen by others today.”—Rev Nichola Vidamour, Methodist Recorder“Burgess records the extensive building programme of new churches, monasteries, and seminaries in a brief quarter of a century, but his emphasis, rightly, is more on the dedicated people who work in them. He records in-depth conversations and brings his characters, male and female, alive in a variety of settings . . . this book clothes the religious revival with rich substance.”—Michael Bourdeaux, Church Times“Holy Rus’: The Rebirth of Orthodoxy in the New Russia is an excellent work of scholarship based on the author’s extensive travels within Russia, close interaction with leading figures in the Russian Orthodox Church, a sound grasp of Russian history during the Soviet period, and a deep cross-confessional theological understanding.”— James W. Warhola, The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review“Well-written and solid book” —Sergei Chapnin, Journal of Orthodox Christian Studies“A book full of surprises. It seems God refuses to let Orthodoxy die in Russia. We owe Burgess much for making this story known.”—Stanley Hauerwas, author of The Work of Theology“Both sympathetic and sober, this insightful study of Orthodox Christianity in today’s Russia is essential for anyone wanting to understand Russia’s quest for spiritual sanity and integrity in the midst of the deformations of the past and present.”—The Very Reverend Leonid Kishkovsky, Orthodox Church in America“Burgess is a careful observer and his illuminating descriptions of places and people give this book a personal immediacy. Thoughtful, fresh, and judicious, Holy Rus’ will be of interest to anyone invested in the fate of religion in developed, industrialized countries.”— Nigel Biggar, University of Oxford"This is an excellent, readable, deeply informed, and sympathetic but distanced account by a trusted scholar. For a decade, John Burgess has steeped himself in Russian Orthodox practice and has now written a timely and indispensable book for those wanting to understand modern Russia."— Iain R. Torrance, Princeton Theological Seminary“Holy Rus’ is a vivid, detailed account of the institutions and personalities that shape Russian Orthodoxy today. Everyone who wants to understand Russia’s past or to anticipate its future should read this book.”—Robin W. Lovin, Southern Methodist University

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Book SynopsisAre Eastern Orthodoxy and evangelicalism at all compatible? To some Western evangelicals, the practices of Eastern Orthodoxy seem mysterious and perhaps even unbiblical. From an Orthodox perspective, evangelicals lack the spiritual roots provided by centuries-old church traditions. Are the differences between these two branches of Christianity as sharp as they seem? Or is there room for agreement?This book allows five leading authorities to present their different views in a respectful manner, have them critiqued by their fellow authors, and then respond to those critiques. Writing from an Orthodox perspective with a strong appreciation for evangelicalism, Bradley Nassif makes a case for compatibility. Michael Horton and Vladimir Berzonsky take the opposite stance from their respective evangelical and Orthodox backgrounds. And George Hancock-Stefan (evangelical) and Edward Rommen (Orthodox) each offer a qualified perhaps. Table of ContentsCONTENTS Foreword: J. I. Packer 9 Introduction: James J. Stamoolis 13 1. ARE EASTERN ORTHODOXY AND 25 EVANGELICALISM COMPATIBLE? YES: BRADLEY NASSIF The Evangelical Theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church Responses Michael Horton 89 Vladimir Berzonsky 97 George Hancock-Stefan 100 Edward Rommen 105 Conclusion 107 2. ARE EASTERN ORTHODOXY AND 115 EVANGELICALISM COMPATIBLE? NO: MICHAEL HORTON An Evangelical Perspective Responses Bradley Nassif 145 Vladimir Berzonsky 149 George Hancock-Stefan 152 Edward Rommen 155 Conclusion 158 3. ARE EASTERN ORTHODOXY AND 167 EVANGELICALISM COMPATIBLE? NO: VLADIMIR BERZONSKY An Orthodox Perspective Responses Bradley Nassif 183 Michael Horton 185 George Hancock-Stefan 194 Edward Rommen 196 Conclusion 198 4. ARE EASTERN ORTHODOXY AND 203 EVANGELICALISM COMPATIBLE? MAYBE: GEORGE HANCOCK-STEFAN An Evangelical Perspective Responses Bradley Nassif 219 Michael Horton 221 Vladimir Berzonsky 224 Edward Rommen 228 Conclusion 231 5. ARE EASTERN ORTHODOXY AND 233 EVANGELICALISM COMPATIBLE? MAYBE: EDWARD ROMMEN An Orthodox Perspective Responses Bradley Nassif 251 Michael Horton 254 Vladimir Berzonsky 266 George Hancock-Stefan 271 Conclusion 274 Epilogue: James J. Stamoolis 279 About the Contributors 285 Scripture Index 287 Subject Index 289

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Book SynopsisThis classic textbook contains sober, patristic explanations of every event in the four Christian Gospels in a harmonized chronology. Based on the teachings and tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, this book is the first of its kind.

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Book SynopsisAn invaluable tool for anyone seeking to learn the traditional liturgical language of the Slavic Orthodox churches.

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Book SynopsisThe Church Singer's Companion (or Sputnik Psalomshchika) is an obikhod or standard book of music. It is an indispensable reference for any kliros in the Russian Church. it contains melodies in square notation for the chanted portions of Vespers, Matins, and Divine Liturgy, as well as additional material from throughout the Church year.

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Book SynopsisOver the last century unprecedented numbers of Christians from traditionally Orthodox societies migrated around the world. Once seen as an âorientalâ or âeasternâ phenomenon, Orthodox Christianity is now much more widely dispersed, and in many parts of the modern world one need not go far to find an Orthodox community at worship. This collection offers a compelling overview of the Orthodox world, covering the main regional traditions of Orthodox Christianity and the ways in which they have become global. The contributors are drawn from the Orthodox community worldwide and explore a rich selection of key figures and themes. The book provides an innovative and illuminating approach to the subject, ideal for students and scholars alike.Trade Review"A unique foray - at times with broader, at other times with finer strokes - into fascinating dimensions of the intriguing kaleidoscope that is Eastern Christianity. The Orthodox world at your fingertips!" - Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, author of Light Through Darkness: The Orthodox Tradition"Admirably wide-ranging in its coverage, The Orthodox Christian World provides an eminently useful source of knowledge on the different traditions of Eastern Christianity. Particularly welcome in this respect is the inclusion of sections on the non-Chalcedonian Churches." - Sebastian Brock, Professorial Fellow of Wolfson College, University of Oxford, UK"The relationship between Eastern and Western Christianity is of great historical importance. Despite its contemporary significance, there is still a remarkable lack of knowledge and understanding of the diverse ecclesial and theological traditions of the Eastern Christian churches. The Orthodox World offers a wide ranging and authoritative account of this rich Christian landscape in all its complex plurality. The Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Syriac traditions are juxtaposed inviting the reader to engage in a dialogical conversation, with and between, these great Christian cultures." - Anthony O'Mahony, Reader in the History of Christianity, Heythrop College, University of London, UKTable of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Orthodox Christianity Around the World Part 2: Important Figures in Orthodox Christianity Part 3: Major Themes in Orthodox Christianity

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Book SynopsisOffers a collection of essays that examine the distinguishing features of the Eastern traditions - iconography, hymnology, ritual, and pilgrimage - through an ethnographic analysis. This title focuses on the revitalization of Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches that were repressed under Marxist-Leninist regimes.Trade Review"An original contribution to the anthropology of religion." -- Juraj Buzalkla Anthropological QuarterlyTable of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgments Chris Hann Introduction: The Other Christianity? Chris Hann and Hermann Goltz PART ONE. IMAGE AND VOICE: THE SENSUOUS EXPRESSION OF THE SUBLIME 1. Eastern Christians and Religious Objects: Personal and Material Biographies Entangled Gabriel Hanganu 2. A Dual Quarrel of Images on the Middle Volga: Icon Veneration in the Face of Protestant and Pagan Critique Sonja Luehrmann 3. Icons and/or Statues? The Greek Catholic Divine Liturgy in Hungary and Romania, between Renewal and Purification Stephanie Mahieu 4. The Acoustics and Geopolitics of Orthodox Practices in the Estonian-Russian Border Region Jeffers Engelhardt PART TWO. KNOWLEDGE AND RITUAL: MONASTERIES AND THE RENEWAL OF TRADITION 5. The Spirit and the Letter: Monastic Education in a Romanian Orthodox Convent Alice Forbess 6. Exorcising Demons in Post-Soviet Ukraine: A Monastic Community and Its Imagistic Practice Vlad Naumescu 7. Monasteries, Politics, and Social Memory: The Revival of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch in Syria during the Twentieth Century Anna Poujeau PART THREE. SYNCRETISM AND AUTHENTICITY: (SHARED) SHRINES AND PILGRIMAGE 8. Orthodox-Muslim Interactions at "Mixed Shrines" in Macedonia Glenn Bowman 9. Empire Dust: The Web of Relations in Saint George's Festival on Princes Island in Istanbul Maria Couroucli 10. Pilgrimages as Kenotic Communities beyond the Walls of the Church Inna Naletova 11. Avtobusniki: Russian Orthodox Pilgrims' Longing for Authenticity Jeanne Kormina PART FOUR. PERSON AND NATION: CHURCH, CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, AND SPECTRES OF THE SECULAR 12. Indigenous Persons and Imported Individuals: Changing Paradigms of Personal Identity in Contemporary Greece Renee Hirschon 13. Individual and Collective Identities in Russian Orthodoxy Alexander Agadjanian and Kathy Rousselet 14. The Russian Orthodox Church, the Provision of Social Welfare, and Changing Ethics of Benevolence Melissa L. Caldwell Epilogue: Ex Oriente Lux, Once Again Douglas Rogers Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisOffers a collection of essays that examine the distinguishing features of the Eastern traditions - iconography, hymnology, ritual, and pilgrimage - through an ethnographic analysis. This title focuses on the revitalization of Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches that were repressed under Marxist-Leninist regimes.Trade Review"An original contribution to the anthropology of religion." -- Juraj Buzalkla Anthropological QuarterlyTable of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgments Chris Hann Introduction: The Other Christianity? Chris Hann and Hermann Goltz PART ONE. IMAGE AND VOICE: THE SENSUOUS EXPRESSION OF THE SUBLIME 1. Eastern Christians and Religious Objects: Personal and Material Biographies Entangled Gabriel Hanganu 2. A Dual Quarrel of Images on the Middle Volga: Icon Veneration in the Face of Protestant and Pagan Critique Sonja Luehrmann 3. Icons and/or Statues? The Greek Catholic Divine Liturgy in Hungary and Romania, between Renewal and Purification Stephanie Mahieu 4. The Acoustics and Geopolitics of Orthodox Practices in the Estonian-Russian Border Region Jeffers Engelhardt PART TWO. KNOWLEDGE AND RITUAL: MONASTERIES AND THE RENEWAL OF TRADITION 5. The Spirit and the Letter: Monastic Education in a Romanian Orthodox Convent Alice Forbess 6. Exorcising Demons in Post-Soviet Ukraine: A Monastic Community and Its Imagistic Practice Vlad Naumescu 7. Monasteries, Politics, and Social Memory: The Revival of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch in Syria during the Twentieth Century Anna Poujeau PART THREE. SYNCRETISM AND AUTHENTICITY: (SHARED) SHRINES AND PILGRIMAGE 8. Orthodox-Muslim Interactions at "Mixed Shrines" in Macedonia Glenn Bowman 9. Empire Dust: The Web of Relations in Saint George's Festival on Princes Island in Istanbul Maria Couroucli 10. Pilgrimages as Kenotic Communities beyond the Walls of the Church Inna Naletova 11. Avtobusniki: Russian Orthodox Pilgrims' Longing for Authenticity Jeanne Kormina PART FOUR. PERSON AND NATION: CHURCH, CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, AND SPECTRES OF THE SECULAR 12. Indigenous Persons and Imported Individuals: Changing Paradigms of Personal Identity in Contemporary Greece Renee Hirschon 13. Individual and Collective Identities in Russian Orthodoxy Alexander Agadjanian and Kathy Rousselet 14. The Russian Orthodox Church, the Provision of Social Welfare, and Changing Ethics of Benevolence Melissa L. Caldwell Epilogue: Ex Oriente Lux, Once Again Douglas Rogers Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisExamines the role of Russian Orthodox Church in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.Trade Review"A provocative and clearly argued work." Somatosphere "This is a fascinating book on an important topic." -- Erin Koch Slavic ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Part I: Backgrounds 1. HIV, Drug Use, and the Politics of Indifference 2. The Church's Rehabilitation Program 3. The Russian Orthodox Church, HIV, and Injecting Drug Use 4. Moral and Ethical Assemblages 5. Synergeia and Simfoniia: Orthodox Morality, Human Rights, and the State 6. Working on the Self Part II: Practices 7. Enchurchment 8. Cultivating a Normal Life 9. Normal Sociality: Obshchenie and Controlling Emotions 10. Disciplining Responsibility: Labor and Gender Some Closing Words Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisAt publication date, a free ebook version of this title will be available throughLuminos, University of California Press's Open Access publishing program. Visitwww.luminosoa.orgto learn more. The Stranger at the Feast is a pathbreaking ethnographic study of one of the world's oldest and least-understood religious traditions. Based on long-term ethnographic research on the Zege peninsula in northern Ethiopia, the author tells the story of how people have understood large-scale religious change by following local transformations in hospitality, ritual prohibition, and feeding practices.Ethiopia has undergone radical upheaval in the transition from the imperial era of Haile Selassie to the modern secular state, but the secularization of the state has been met with the widespread revival of popular religious practice. For Orthodox Christians in Zege, everything that matters about religion comes back to how one eats and fasts with others. Boylston shows how practices of feeding and avoidance have remained central even as their meaning and purpose has dramatically changed: from a means of marking class distinctions within Orthodox society, to a marker of the difference between Orthodox Christians and other religions within the contemporary Ethiopian state.Trade Review"Truly remarkable." * Religious Studies Review *Table of ContentsMap Note on Amharic Pronunciation and Transliteration Acknowledgments Introduction 1. A History of Mediation 2. Fasting, Bodies, and the Calendar 3. Proliferations of Mediators 4. Blood, Silver, and Coffee: The Material Histories of Sanctity and Slavery 5. The Buda Crisis 6. Concrete, Bones, and Feasts 7. Echoes of the Host 8. The Media Landscape 9. The Knowledge of the World Conclusion Reference List Index

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Book SynopsisThis is a powerful comparative history of philosophical thought in the two halves of Christendom, providing a philosophical backdrop to the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches. It will be of wide interest to readers in philosophy, theology and medieval history.Trade Review'… learned and carefully argued …' Lloyd P. Gerson, University of Toronto'Bradshaw's text admirably exposes a key philosophical divergence that rests at the heart of the East West schism. … the text is a successful blend and extension of dissertation and supplemental research. … his argument has great merit. Bradshaw succeeds in creating an important text that illuminates the shared foundations of eastern and western philosophy and theology, and should be taken seriously for its validation of a tradition that values the ontological as much as the epistemological.' British Journal for the History of Philosophy'This book is …worthy of deep respect.' The Westminster Theological JournalTable of ContentsPreface; 1. The Aristotelian beginnings; 2. The prime mover; 3. Between Aristotle and Plotinus; 4. Plotinus and the theory of two acts; 5. The Plotinian heritage in the West; 6. Gods, demons and theurgy; 7. The formation of the eastern tradition; 8. The flowering of the eastern tradition; 9. Palamas and Aquinas; 10. Epilogue; Bibliography; Index.

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