What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ancient Path
The Ancient Path is a call for twentieth century man to rediscover authentic Christianity. Fr. Spyridon highlights the gulf that exists between modern thinking and the belief and practices of the Early Church. It is a call to abandon the illusions of modern philosophy to return to the one path that leads to Christ. Rich with quotations from the Church Fathers each chapter deals with a separate issue, covering the saints, love, family, repentance, theosis and many more. In a book that pulls no punches Fr. Spyridon reveals how Orthodoxy is the living continuation of the faith given by Christ to the Apostles.
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2014
343 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 1, 2015
Excellent
A wonderful work by Fr. Spyridon Bailey. It is rare to find a book in this genre that is able to be so direct and yet warm in its approach. Would highly recommend this book for any Orthodox Christian or anyone interested in the Faith.
A wonderful work by Fr. Spyridon Bailey. It is rare to find a book in this genre that is able to be so direct and yet warm in its approach. Would highly recommend this book for any Orthodox Christian or anyone interested in the Faith.
October 6, 2016
The book tried to warn me when, on the very first page, the author talked about how awful the Theory of Evolution was. But I kept reading and tried to keep an open mind - I'm Catholic but think there's wisdom in all faiths, Christian and non-Christian. And, at first, there was genuine wisdom to be found - one of the ideas I found most inspiring was in the beginning, when the author discusses the boulder in front of Jesus's tomb as a symbol of adversity, strife, and of the Church itself, or of the Devil named Legion who can be symbolic (his words, not mine) of disparate forces that drive one away from God - and I usually appreciate Orthodox Theology a great deal for its warmth and depth of understanding.
At some point, though, the author's disgust with psychiatrists, every religion that isn't Orthodoxy, Hollywood, women who want to work outside the home, vegetarians, people who don't drink alcohol, and probably a lot of other stuff I missed (I'm not exaggerating, each one is, according to the author, wrong) just got to be too much for me. I mean, at one point the author said trying to imagine what Jesus's face looked like was pursuing the path of Satan.
Admittedly, I have problems understanding a man who, on one page, stresses that the Church should not change with the times, and at others discusses that the meaning of Pentecost was for the apostles to preach the word of Christ in different religions. Or, on another page, when he admonishes that reading the words of monks can be dangerous, because they don't live like most people do. I can't help feeling that, when it's all done, the underlying reason for much of my perceived dissonance may be only "because this is what Orthodoxy believes" is why things are good, and "this is what heretics believe" is why things are bad.
Half of the very short book is quotes, too. Some may like this, but quotations are sometimes, like in trying to understand the Bible itself, easy to take out of context.
I wouldn't recommend it for any open-minded believers. The signal-to-noise ratio is IMO too low.
At some point, though, the author's disgust with psychiatrists, every religion that isn't Orthodoxy, Hollywood, women who want to work outside the home, vegetarians, people who don't drink alcohol, and probably a lot of other stuff I missed (I'm not exaggerating, each one is, according to the author, wrong) just got to be too much for me. I mean, at one point the author said trying to imagine what Jesus's face looked like was pursuing the path of Satan.
Admittedly, I have problems understanding a man who, on one page, stresses that the Church should not change with the times, and at others discusses that the meaning of Pentecost was for the apostles to preach the word of Christ in different religions. Or, on another page, when he admonishes that reading the words of monks can be dangerous, because they don't live like most people do. I can't help feeling that, when it's all done, the underlying reason for much of my perceived dissonance may be only "because this is what Orthodoxy believes" is why things are good, and "this is what heretics believe" is why things are bad.
Half of the very short book is quotes, too. Some may like this, but quotations are sometimes, like in trying to understand the Bible itself, easy to take out of context.
I wouldn't recommend it for any open-minded believers. The signal-to-noise ratio is IMO too low.
January 4, 2019
Read this book.
As a young Catholic seeking the truths of the faith at a time of error and confusion in the Roman Church, this book has fed the soul. Simple yet profound explanations of the faith that resonate with the very being. Will be reading further into the teachings and beauty of the Orthodox Church.
As a young Catholic seeking the truths of the faith at a time of error and confusion in the Roman Church, this book has fed the soul. Simple yet profound explanations of the faith that resonate with the very being. Will be reading further into the teachings and beauty of the Orthodox Church.
March 31, 2023
It was a good read. Very insightful overview of the Russian orthodox religion. There are a lot of things that I can and do agree with but not all. I believe that there are many paths to God.
November 4, 2024
I'm a little over half way into this book and it really is blessed. I thank God for bringing it to me; Father Spyridon's videos on Youtube are equally as wise, full of love but above all truthful.
This book is full of nuggets of truth. He calls for Christians to be more heartfelt in their prayer and proceeds to explain how this can be done and why. He also calls for Christians to be as merciful as was Christ when he dwelt among us men to our neighbours we live amongst in our temporal lives. Father also writes about the Orthodox church being the centre of objective truth, of not compromising of the teachings of the early fathers of the first Church as did Roman Catholics & later Protestants.
This book is wonderful. Full of God's truth & Love. Well worth a read.
This book is full of nuggets of truth. He calls for Christians to be more heartfelt in their prayer and proceeds to explain how this can be done and why. He also calls for Christians to be as merciful as was Christ when he dwelt among us men to our neighbours we live amongst in our temporal lives. Father also writes about the Orthodox church being the centre of objective truth, of not compromising of the teachings of the early fathers of the first Church as did Roman Catholics & later Protestants.
This book is wonderful. Full of God's truth & Love. Well worth a read.
May 11, 2018
It's a pleasant enough introduction to some Orthodox Christian ideas. But I had to take lots of it with pinches of salt, and make allowances for other bits where I wanted to say Yes, but, in defence of some aspects of Christian history since 1054.
February 8, 2022
Fr. Spyridon gives a call to return to the apostolic ancient Christianity that has been largely lost in the west by innovative teachings over the centuries.
Appropriate quotes from Church fathers are provided in each chapter and these are worth the read alone.
Appropriate quotes from Church fathers are provided in each chapter and these are worth the read alone.
December 13, 2017
Beautiful, honest and true.
I plan to read this over and over. I bought copies for our house because the instruction is necessary today.
I plan to read this over and over. I bought copies for our house because the instruction is necessary today.
September 12, 2023
Holding to Truth and Love in these troubled times. A good book for Catechumens and Orthodox alike. Fr. Bailey explains many aspects of our life, struggles, faith and theology in a simple and easy to read way. He starts out each chapter with a few pages of quotes from the Church Fathers which really grounds what he is saying in a patristic way instead of just writing his own opinions which some "Orthodox" writers are guilty of.
The fact that some non-orthodox on here disapprove of this book is a good sign. As is said "You will be hated by all for My name's sake"(Matt 10-22).
The fact that some non-orthodox on here disapprove of this book is a good sign. As is said "You will be hated by all for My name's sake"(Matt 10-22).
September 27, 2018
A concise book on the eastern Christian Orthodox faith
A really good book, concise and easy to read for those searching to know how the ancient Christian faith was practiced and what the early Christians believed. It is supported by the writings (quotes) from many of the ascetics of the time
A really good book, concise and easy to read for those searching to know how the ancient Christian faith was practiced and what the early Christians believed. It is supported by the writings (quotes) from many of the ascetics of the time
March 12, 2021
Interesting and somewhat helpful book. I especially liked the chapters on Prayer, Knowledge of God, Love, and Repentance.
The chapters on Works and Mercy misrepresent the protestant position and ignore the clear teaching of scripture. There are other problems, but overall the book is of value to the devout.
The biggest problem with this book is that the Orthodox Church is always claiming that it is the only legitimate version of Christianity. Yet when 2020's COVID theater was implemented, they capitulated to the fascist governments worldwide like all the other branches of the Church. My question is are you loyal to Christ or to government? The claim to have unbroken line of authority from the time of the apostles to the present age is proved false by the current behavior of submission to ungodly world government, thus showing themselves to be anti-Christ. It is heart-breaking that the leadership of this branch of the church can't even see this truth.
The legitimate church is the underground church, or any congregation that has not capitulated to the satanic world-system. My admonition is choose good not evil.
The chapters on Works and Mercy misrepresent the protestant position and ignore the clear teaching of scripture. There are other problems, but overall the book is of value to the devout.
The biggest problem with this book is that the Orthodox Church is always claiming that it is the only legitimate version of Christianity. Yet when 2020's COVID theater was implemented, they capitulated to the fascist governments worldwide like all the other branches of the Church. My question is are you loyal to Christ or to government? The claim to have unbroken line of authority from the time of the apostles to the present age is proved false by the current behavior of submission to ungodly world government, thus showing themselves to be anti-Christ. It is heart-breaking that the leadership of this branch of the church can't even see this truth.
The legitimate church is the underground church, or any congregation that has not capitulated to the satanic world-system. My admonition is choose good not evil.
May 30, 2022
Five stars, just like everything else Father Spyridon writes! My favorite Red-Pilled Eastern Orthodox priest published this in 2014. A yearning for the early days of Christianity when being a Christian was rough & tough and not the easier, softer way! Looking for the authentic soul of Christianity, and not the fluff and feel good for the "holiday" season.
August 10, 2022
really good
This was easy to read. There was only one spelling error towards the very end. I got the kindle edition, and it taught me about the church and some greek words… i appreciated the quotations too
This was easy to read. There was only one spelling error towards the very end. I got the kindle edition, and it taught me about the church and some greek words… i appreciated the quotations too
December 14, 2022
A very simple yet concise understanding of the Orthodox way
As good as any and entices the reader to explore further. This is a wonderful introduction to Orthodoxy that so many in the West are unaware.
As good as any and entices the reader to explore further. This is a wonderful introduction to Orthodoxy that so many in the West are unaware.
December 11, 2024
I’m Catholic, but this was a great read. I really pray the two longs of the Church will reunite in my lifetime. Looking forward to Easter/Pascha 2025!
I really felt encouraged to research more about the Seven Ecumenical Councils after reading this book.
I really felt encouraged to research more about the Seven Ecumenical Councils after reading this book.
October 1, 2025
An easy, enlightening read!
Father Bailey gives great nuggets of wisdom in this book. He really simplifies concepts that I previously had trouble understanding. I would highly recommend it!
Father Bailey gives great nuggets of wisdom in this book. He really simplifies concepts that I previously had trouble understanding. I would highly recommend it!
June 13, 2019
Must Read
The material presented here is very informative and helpful for anyone traveling down the ancient path of faith. Must read.
The material presented here is very informative and helpful for anyone traveling down the ancient path of faith. Must read.
December 18, 2022
Refreshing and Concice
Wonderful overview of the way that leads to life. Great quotes from the Church Fathers and the Saints. Highly recommended.
Wonderful overview of the way that leads to life. Great quotes from the Church Fathers and the Saints. Highly recommended.
February 26, 2025
Simple but powerfully written, straight to the point, and rich with quotes from the early church. This is a book I revisit daily
June 26, 2025
Good overview of the basics a Christian should always consider in life. It gives you many good phrases that evoke thought.
February 15, 2023
An excellent overview of the theology of the historic church, and a particularly good starting point for anyone interested in exploring the Orthodox Christian faith for the first time.
January 1, 2019
Good Read
Very Good Introduction to what Orthodoxy is like. You can feel that the focus and spirit of Orthodoxy is unique, challenging, exciting, and wholesome. Good job to the author for his use of simple words and laymen language to talk about profound truths. A Great Read.
Very Good Introduction to what Orthodoxy is like. You can feel that the focus and spirit of Orthodoxy is unique, challenging, exciting, and wholesome. Good job to the author for his use of simple words and laymen language to talk about profound truths. A Great Read.
November 21, 2016
Faith the early church
A very good read for those wanting to game more knowledge concerning the early fathers and the faith. A must read. Enjoy
A very good read for those wanting to game more knowledge concerning the early fathers and the faith. A must read. Enjoy
April 4, 2017
A friend loaned me this book, I don't know if it would have crossed my path otherwise. A nice collection of homilies by an Orthodox priest in England. What I particularly enjoyed was the collection of quotes at the beginning of each one. They set the stage nicely for the topic at hand.
April 9, 2017
New to Orthodox Christianity
On a quest to uncover the true meaning of the teachings of Christ, I was led to this book which answered so much of what I was questioning that my Methodist church was not able to answer. I read it as an introduction to Orthodox Christianity. Coming from a Protestant background, many of these teachings were new to me, but the text made these ideas understandable and left me with a thirst to live deeply in them.
On a quest to uncover the true meaning of the teachings of Christ, I was led to this book which answered so much of what I was questioning that my Methodist church was not able to answer. I read it as an introduction to Orthodox Christianity. Coming from a Protestant background, many of these teachings were new to me, but the text made these ideas understandable and left me with a thirst to live deeply in them.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews