Bread & Water, Wine & Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God

by Meletios Webber

Worry, despair, insecurity, fear of death . . . these are our daily companions, and even though we attempt to ignore them or try to crowd them out, they are there, waiting for us in our quieter moments. It is precisely where we hurt most that the experience of the Orthodox Church has much to offer. The remedy is not a pep talk, or any simple admonitions to fight the good fight, cheer up, or think positively. Rather, the Orthodox method is to change the way we look at the human person (starting with ourselves). According to two thousand years of experience, Orthodoxy shows us how to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind"-a process that is aided by participation in the traditional ascetic practices and Mysteries of the Church. In this unique and accessible book, Archimandrite Meletios Webber first explores the role of mystery in the Christian life, then walks the reader through the seven major Mysteries of the Orthodox Church, showing the way to a richer, fuller life in Christ.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Faith, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2007

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to read again and again and to hope that it will percolate down into your very marrow.

[Angela Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great foundational book for me while a catechumen. Met Webber has a way of explaining that is both informative and engaging. I'd recommend to anyone with questions about Orthodoxy.

[Lori Eby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a practicing Eastern Orthodox Christian and am not likely to become one; I don’t agree with everything and didn’t love every minute of this book. HOWEVER… some concepts here have potentially changed my life, my goals, and my ways of thinking about my heart, my mind, my emotions, and spiritual practice in general. I’m a firm believer in learning from other traditions, and I’m thankful for what this book gave me.

[Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a prescient quote from page 22: "In fallen humanity [that would be ALL of us!] the mind and the heart have been alienated from each other. The mind has started to function on its own, separated from the heart. It actually has the audacity to set up shop on its own and start behaving as if it has a life on its own. This is where the problems start. The mind is very good and valuable as a tool, but it does not have strength of character to be independent." The author, who has an earned PhD in psychology, goes on to explain the Eastern understanding of the heart (Greek term: nous.) Other than the Bible, this is the most valuable Christian book I have read this year.

[Matthew Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good offering to those who are interested in the Orthodox Church. The author does a very good job at presenting a very good foundation of Orthodox Teaching in a manner that is accessible for any inquirer or Orthodox believer. I found the Author was particularly successful in address how modern psychology and Orthodoxy might differ and align on specific issues. The chapter on the thoughts and Logosmi was particularly good. This is often an area where many people have difficulty in understanding how the Orthodox Church views both the mind, heart and the inner tension of living a life that strives towards sanctification. I would recommend this Audiobook to anyone who is interested in Orthodoxy but may not be familiar with the technical aspects of Theology or the Liturgical practices of the Orthodox Church. I found this Audiobook to be done very well. The recording and presentation by the narrator was very good.

[Dr. Stephanie Douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been Orthodox my entire life, but I'm always learning something new. This isn't written so high level that you don't understand, and it explains the different Mysteries in the Orthodox Church clearly and thus more comprehensive to better understand the Church.

[Jodi Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful in terms of trying to understand Christianity from outside a Western perspective. As helpful as it was, however, there are some practical questions of spirituality that I wish the author had answered.

Well worth reading nevertheless. Thank you, Fr. Webber.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be even better the 2nd time around. I did struggle a bit in the first chapter, but listening to a lecture by Archimandrite Meletios on the Mind and Heart helped quite a bit. Like other reviewers, I found Part 1 to be much more insightful and helpful than Part 2 (although there were new things to learn there as well). I think I would benefit from a re-reading of Part 1 on an occasional basis.

[Iz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archimandrite Meletios has written a book that takes you on a beautiful journey of Eastern Orthodoxy. Fr. Meletios takes the mystical beauty of Orthodoxy and simplifies it so the everyday lay person can dive into the divine. I believe this book would be a beautiful way to introduce inquirers of the faith to Orthodoxy, as its not overly “textbook”. The one thing I will say as I listened to this book, I would suggest a hard copy of the book, as it will be easier to go back and reference parts of the book. Otherwise it was lovely to be able to listen to it at my leisure.

The book is broken into two parts “ Life as a Mystery” and “The Mysteries of the Church”. The fist part of this book is truly captivating and well worth getting the book just for that. This book is simple yet complex all in one and while I feel this was very easy to listen to I find that maybe people who want a more scholarly and eloquently written book might become bored with the simplicity of it. But I would urge them to give this book a chance and let Fr. Meletios words of the mysteries enrapture you. The second part of the book looking at the mysteries/sacraments was lovely, so many quotes that I would constantly find myself listening to seconds over and over again to really grasp what was being said. It is one of the reasons I took so long to finish the book!

I will be purchasing copies and giving them as gifts to friends and to newcomers at our parish.

* I was gifted the book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are much own.

[Nancy Parcels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archimandrite Meletios Webber has written a very intriguing book about the Orthodox Faith. Being born into the faith I still seemed to have several “aha” moments. I did feel at times this book was a bit heavy and I had some deep pondering moments. I also journaled during the reading of this book so I could go write down questions or comments while reading. I did love how the book was laid out. It had a wonderful flow that worked well for an audiobook. There were chapters on the Holy Mysteries of Holy Eucharist, Chrismation, Baptism, Confesion, however, the book was more about Divine Liturgy. It said how we must be present fully during this time to worship God and build a relationship with Him. This book is a good introduction for anyone wanting to learn about the Orthodox Faith because of the way it combined theology and the Holy Mysteries. This is a book that I would pass on to anyone who asks about Orthodox Faith.

[Paul Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised. Fr Meletios starts out explaining our soul and mind from a psychological prospective but also Orthodox and spiritual. This book clearly lays out the Christian way of thinking about ourselves, out struggles, how to go about living! He manages to explain the meaning of “nuos” is such a way that I actually can understand. I never understood it fully from the greek writers. He is a psychologist but also a monk, grounded in the sober tradition of the Orthodox Church. He writes in a clear and humble way. He doesn’t imbue his own lofty learning or opinions which some “Orthodox” writers do now a days.

[Aaron Robitaille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up there with Met. Kallistos Ware's "Orthodox Church" and "Orthodox Way" in terms of introduction to Christianity and the Orthodox Church.

It perhaps even has a slight edge over those books since, although being a shorter book, there is a good amount of space in the beginning given to describing the problems of the human condition - constant bombardment of thoughts, the need for being in the present moment, the life of the heart, etc. This makes a powerful segue into showing what the life of the Church has to do with those emotional and mental problems we face every day.

[Jackie Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for all Christians, not just Orthodox. very informative.


I recommend this book for all who love Jesus and want to know more about the sacraments and the liturgy. It was nice to find out that all people have "fractured minds", and not just me, and what we can do about it. Jesus Prayer really helps!

[Alex Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's good stuff in here. Just not an enjoyable read for me

[David Gwartney · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Bread & Water, Wine & Oil, the author Meletios Webber gives an overview of Orthodox belief and practice. The first half of the book delves into the "mystery" of Orthodox belief, explaining that this word "mystery ... lies at the heart of the Eastern Orthodox experience of God." Chapter 1 is one of the best explanations I have read regarding the battle within the human mind and the "fragmentation" we all experience between our mind and heart. "Apart from anything else, the mind uses noise constantly to reassure itself of its own existence. The language of the heart, on the other hand, is silence." This sets the tone for the rest of first part of the book, the joining of the heart to God's Spirit. "Mystery is the space where we meet God."

While not nearly as challenging as the first part of the book, part two gives a nice overview of the practices of the Orthodox Church. Overall, this was a good introduction to Orthodox theology. I wish I would have found a book like this a couple of years ago! The first chapter is worth a read all by itself.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

In BREAD & WATER, WINE & OIL Father Meletios Webber offers an explanation of aspects of Orthodox faith that benefits from his individual experiences. An English convert to Orthodoxy, Fr Meletios also has training as a psychologist. Initially Fr Meletios both applies psychological concepts to the Orthodox faith, which we modern people might swiftly understand, and sets the secular science of psychology in harmony with the teaching of the Church Fathers. He draws a distinction between the "mind", our ways of thinking which can only distract us from religious faith, and the "heart" (his translation of Greek nous), a human being's deeper insight. Orthodox practice, Fr. Meletios explains, is directed towards nourishing the heart, creating nothing less than a relationship with God, and its rich symbolism of bread and water, wine and oil serve that end. Part I clarifies issues of prayer, fasting (why and how do we fast?), the use of icons, and the church building. In Part II, each of the Orthodox sacraments receives its own chapter. Fr. Meletios walks through the steps of the church's ceremonies surrounding these, explaining the equally vital but distinct roles of both clergy and people in each. For converts coming from denominations without a sacramental tradition, this will prove very helpful to understanding what all is going on in church.

As a catechumen in the Orthodox Church with training in Classical Greek and an academic bent, I've read dozens of books on Orthodox practice written in specialist terminology and abundantly footnoted. But few books have impressed me as much as Fr. Meletios' work here, which casts greater light on Orthodoxy for the Western convert with the most simple of tones. If you want a gentle and friendly--but still rigorous and spiritually challenging--introduction to the Orthodox faith, but find Frederica Matthewes-Green's books too cutesy (and nothing against Matushka, she focuses on her own important demographic), Fr. Meletios Webber's book is well worth reading.

[ShareStories · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bread & Water, Wine & Oil--An Orthodox Christian Experience of God by Archimandrite Meletios Webber is an excellent introduction to Eastern Christian spirituality. Archimandrite Webber writes in a way that is inspiring, clear and respectful.

Part I: Life as Mystery lays the groundwork for understanding the Orthodox approach to God and our relationship to God. It does an excellent job of explaining the difference between the "mind" (feelings and logic) and the "heart" (where God dwells), who God is and how we can really know Him (as opposed to what we *think* we know about Him), as well as specifics of fasting, prayer and icons.

Part II gets into the Divine Mysteries (sacraments) themselves, examining the specifics of how they are done and why.

This is a book that will be read again and again, dog-eared and highlighted beyond recognition.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of the most valuable of Christian literature I have read. It has enhanced my belief and worship of the Trinity. In fact, I have twelve index cards of notes for future reflection.

I wanted to understand a Greek Orthodox perspective to the challenges of a faith journey to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. I discovered, I think, the essence of the Orthodox Church's way is to learn "to quiet our thoughts so that there is even the possibility of learning to use our hearts... [which] is a full and profound experience of being, and a deep awareness of God".

Archimandrite Meletios Webber, a respected convert to The Orthodox Church explains that staying in" the present moment is the only moment that is, in any sense, real. Moreover, in spiritual terms, the present moment is the only possible occasion in which we can meet God (or anyone else))." p.20.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this book is one of the most simple and powerful books I have ever had the privilege to read. It has really blown my mind. To me, it "de-robes" all of the pre-suppositions about "religion," showing how pure, pure religion can be. Orthodoxy. It's not about rules, it is about freedom. This book created the first understanding for me the relationship among the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. It speaks of God's efforts to create relationship with us. It is relevant, insightful, as if written from another, totally clear realm of understanding.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

very simple, helpful book both as an introduction to orthodoxy and as encouragement in the spiritual life. I found the first part very helpful, he gives a great explanation of the dichotomy between mind and heart and their intended union. I'm glad to have read it, it named for me many things I have experienced and lent a perspective I will remember often.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a book group that met every week for discussion so I am sure my five star rating reflects this as it has given me a lot to think about. The book itself is very good and challenges the way we think about our relationship with God and with one another by giving practical insights on how we can more deeply experience the life and sacraments of the Orthodox Church.

[Courtney]

A great read and very helpful in explaining to me the path of my spiritual journey. I found that not all the chapters in the second part held my entire interest, but overall, an extremely informative book. I also greatly appreciated the reminder in the postscript that it is about the journey to the heart that should be our goal, not the actual attainment of the heart.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of the book was very helpful in identifying the problem the modern person faces in prayer--distraction, the mind being divorced from the heart, lack of askesis. I found the latter half less helpful but the psychological insight in the former is worth a lot.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some very interesting observations about thought and the spiritual life. I plan to contact the author with a few questions that have puzzled me. The first part of the book has been more interesting. The second is somewhat like from a catechism but with some thoughtful passages.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, but the first half I think was better than the second - he seemed to run out of steam and his writing kind of dried out there.

Still very worth a read especially for the first half.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fascinating and inspiring read - I cannot recommend it highly enough!

[Angie Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 3 on Distraction and Prayer is an absolute gem.