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Pastor's Message
Fr. Alexander Goussetis The summer season is coming to a rapid conclusion. Children are buying their school supplies and preparing to begin a new year at school. Class schedules are being sent out, detailing the subjects for the coming academic year. Through the educational process, our children are equipping themselves to become productive members of society. Yet, literacy and enlightenment are not limited to the youth. We adults are all called to continue learning throughout our lives, especially as it relates to our Christian faith. St. Peter reminds us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Most professions require continuing education credits to maintain a working knowledge of their area of expertise. St. Peter is suggesting something similar in our Christian journey. So where do we begin searching for “continuing education credits” in Orthodoxy? There are numerous resources available to assist us. There are websites that address various aspects of the faith. Our parish offers a variety of study groups and retreats in building up the Body of Christ. Each Sunday morning at 8AM on 720AM is a fine radio program entitled Come Receive the Light. But for the purposes of this message, I would like to offer a series of book titles that have proven to be edifying for the faithful. The Orthodox Study Bible. This long-awaited resource brings the words of Scripture and the understanding of those words from the earliest days of the Christian era to contemporary Christians. Helpful articles and footnotes make this edition of the Bible very attractive. Introducing the Orthodox Church by Anthony Coniaris. How popular is this title? This easy to read book is in its 18th printing, outlining the basic teachings of the faith. Each chapter focuses on a particular element of the Church, such as the Nicene Creed, the early Church Fathers, prayer, and sacraments. A wonderful reference book for our homes. The Orthodox Church by Timothy (Kallistos) Ware. For those who are students of history, and prefer a slightly more in-depth view of the faith, Bishop Ware offers this classic selection. The book is divided into two sections: first, an overview of Church history, and second, a compelling look at the beliefs and practices of the faith. The author is an esteemed hierarch, speaker, and author. Orthodox Christian Beliefs by Fr. Stanley Harakas. The author answers 75 questions by parishioners about the teachings of the Church. Thorough treatments on topics including: Creation, Salvation, Suffering and Evil, Icons, Saints, Heaven and Hell, and more. A second popular title, entitled Orthodox Christian Beliefs About the Bible, is by the same author, using the same question and answer format. The Year of Grace of the Lord by a Monk of the Eastern Church. Liturgical worship is central to living the faith. The author takes one through the Sundays and feast days throughout the year, concentrating on the scriptural readings of the Church calendar. A helpful list of reference notes, which includes historical and theological material, is given at the end of each chapter. God and You: Person to Person, by Anthony Coniaris. Our relationship with God is personal as well as communal. Drawing upon the rich resources of Sacred Tradition, the author attempts to show that if faith is not personal it is not real. Practical counsel on establishing a daily personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All titles are available at our parish book mobile, or www.light-n-life.com, or an online bookseller. |
