Two new books have come to my attention. The first is by Fr. John Garvey, an Orthodox priest in New York, known to you Catholics as a regular columinst in Commonweal.*
The book, "Orthodoxy for the Non-Orthodox" is described as a concise and clear introduction to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Garvey notes Orthodoxy stands outside of the Protestant/Catholic polarization, and is a mystery to many Western Christians, some of whom have started to search Orthodoxy for new light on their own traditions. Here you will find a survey of the differences between the Eastern and Western churches (as well as their shared teachings), a summary of Orthodox belief, a description of the Orthodox liturgy and the feasts of the church, an introduction to Orthodox spirituality, and a survey of some questions facing Orthodoxy in the contemporary world. This is an excellent �first stop� for anyone who wants to know more about one of the world�s largest (and still largely unknown) Christian churches.
ISBN 0-87243-256-4 136 pages $11.95
The second is by Jim Forrest, head of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship
Confession: Doorway of Forgiveness
by Jim Forest; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002; 174 pp, $15; ISBN 1-570-75-386-5
Once a defining feature of Christian life, the practice of confession was abandoned by many people in the last few decades of the twentieth century, but now is coming back to life with the recognition that, without an acknowledgment of sin and the longing for forgiveness and reconciliation, the Gospel makes little sense. In 'Confession: Doorway to Forgiveness,' Jim Forest offers a moving and helpful reappraisal of this neglected sacrament, drawing on history, scripture, the lives of the saints and a wealth of personal stories.
I am sure both are availabe at better bookstores everywhere.
* Well......I guess there are one or two of your here who don't read Commonweal!
A.
