www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Primary Reading on Byzantine Theology/Liturgy/Prayer

I received an email at the website from someone who is not Byzantine but is interested in learning about the Byzantine Life.

I have a few standard items I usually recommend, but I'd like to open this question up to our Forum participants to post their recommendations.

[My number one recommendation is to worship like a Byzantine since we are best catechized through prayer.]

Please post your suggestions in this thread.

Thanks!

True.

The best way is to "Come and see."

Come and see, to be sure, but you must learn to see with the eyes of the "Byzantine" beholder. The problem is that so very often those who come see with Latin eyes. They see a mirage: what they imagine they had irretrievably lost. Hence, the lame justification of oh-so-comforting 'traditional latinizations' and other pernicious delusions.

As one who first learned about the Eastern Church through books I can appreciate the enquirer's question. (I was also not near any Eastern parishes.) But actually being present for worship is crucial; however, if one can only attend occasionally, I can recommend a few things. First, I think Met. K. Ware's "The Orthodox Way" is as good a book to read as any at a more introductory level; second, some good Eastern music, perhaps by Capella Romana; third, a book on icons (perhaps "The Meaning of Icons" in its glorious presentation).

The Melkite eparchy still publishes an English prayer book, right?

Indeed, LatinTrad.

It can be gotten from melkite.org--click on publications.

https://melkite.org/products-page/prayer-books

It's just $35, but bound in leather, with gold edges and 5 ribbons.

There is also a beautiful edition of the Horologion (Book of Hours) for $60 in leather or $50 hardback.

I understand what you're getting at, ON. The Eastern Churches are NOT the last traces of Pre-V2 American Latin piety. A person will be badly disappointed if he comes expecting this.

Take us on our own terms, and you will find us a blessing beyond what you were expecting this side of heaven.

Amen!