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2: Orthodox Christianity Volume II : Doctrine and Teaching of the Orthodox Church
This is the second volume of a detailed and systematic exposition of the history, canonical structure, doctrine, moral and social teaching, liturgical services, and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church. The purpose of this series is to present Orthodox Christianity as an integrated theological and liturgical system, in which all elements are interconnected. Theology finds its expression and is shaped in the liturgical experience and church art—including icons, singing, and architecture. The services, in their turn, influence the ascetic practice and the personal piety of each Christian; they shape the moral and social teaching of the Church as well as its relation to other Christian confessions, non-Christian religions, and the secular world.
The first volume provided an account of the historical arc of the Orthodox Church during the first ten centuries after Christ’s nativity, then examined the canonical structure of the Orthodox Church. This volume examines the sources of Orthodox doctrine in Scripture and Tradition; its teaching on God in Trinity and Unity, in his essence and in his energies; on the world and man; on Jesus Christ, the incarnate God; on the Church, the body of Christ; on the Theotokos, Mary; and on eschatology, the last things.
Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev has authored numerous works on theology and church history, and is an internationally recognized composer of liturgical music. In the words of Patriarch Alexei II of blessed memory, “his many years of service to the mother church, his rich creative activity, and his broad perspective enable him to present the tradition of the Orthodox Church in all its diversity.”
The first volume provided an account of the historical arc of the Orthodox Church during the first ten centuries after Christ’s nativity, then examined the canonical structure of the Orthodox Church. This volume examines the sources of Orthodox doctrine in Scripture and Tradition; its teaching on God in Trinity and Unity, in his essence and in his energies; on the world and man; on Jesus Christ, the incarnate God; on the Church, the body of Christ; on the Theotokos, Mary; and on eschatology, the last things.
Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev has authored numerous works on theology and church history, and is an internationally recognized composer of liturgical music. In the words of Patriarch Alexei II of blessed memory, “his many years of service to the mother church, his rich creative activity, and his broad perspective enable him to present the tradition of the Orthodox Church in all its diversity.”
597 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 5, 2021
I am slowly working my way through this series of books and this one (the second that I have read) was much meatier than the previous. Very good collection of the basics.
July 6, 2014
This is a phenomenal text. Comprehensive and steeped in the Scriptures and the teachings of the Holy Fathers, this volume acts a systematic exposition of the doctrine and teaching of the Orthodox Church. Highly recommended for catechists, catechumens, and inquirers. As well as the faithful.
February 14, 2025
It's a good, comprehensive overview of Orthodox theology. Again, like the first volume, the perspective on theology in modern times is skewed towards the Russian Church and diaspora. But he does make make consistent references to the ideas of the church fathers.
For most people, this will be more useful than the first volume, which focuses more on the history of the Orthodox church.
As someone is non-Orthodox, I found it very informative, and that's really all I could ask for 😊
For most people, this will be more useful than the first volume, which focuses more on the history of the Orthodox church.
As someone is non-Orthodox, I found it very informative, and that's really all I could ask for 😊
September 24, 2021
Exhaustive Explanation of Orthodox Faith based on Church fathers
December 25, 2018
Decent Introduction
Met. Hilarion’s introduction to the faith is alright, although his viewpoint seems at times a bit too liberal, perhaps reflecting his western education. Some sections need reworked, including the nonsensical treatment of evolution, which seems to offer opposing viewpoints from one paragraph to the next, in the manner of a politician. He seems altogether too optimistic about the prominent academic Orthodox writers of the 20th century, and he even at one point quotes the great saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov)’s critique of the RC dogma of the immaculate conception in an out-of-context manner in such a way as to make the great saint and conveyor of patristic life as somehow dissonant with liturgical praises of the Mother of God. An experienced reader of Russian theologians will detect in some of these comments an agenda, which is unworthy of this otherwise bright and traditional hierarch.
There are often things about which he doesn’t seem to say enough. He will hint at universalism while denying it in an official manner in a later chapter. I read both of these first volumes and while there is valuable information, I totally sympathize with the critiques of his thought from more traditional Russian Orthodox teachers such as the hieromartyr and missionary, Fr. Daniel Sysoev.
Met. Hilarion’s introduction to the faith is alright, although his viewpoint seems at times a bit too liberal, perhaps reflecting his western education. Some sections need reworked, including the nonsensical treatment of evolution, which seems to offer opposing viewpoints from one paragraph to the next, in the manner of a politician. He seems altogether too optimistic about the prominent academic Orthodox writers of the 20th century, and he even at one point quotes the great saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov)’s critique of the RC dogma of the immaculate conception in an out-of-context manner in such a way as to make the great saint and conveyor of patristic life as somehow dissonant with liturgical praises of the Mother of God. An experienced reader of Russian theologians will detect in some of these comments an agenda, which is unworthy of this otherwise bright and traditional hierarch.
There are often things about which he doesn’t seem to say enough. He will hint at universalism while denying it in an official manner in a later chapter. I read both of these first volumes and while there is valuable information, I totally sympathize with the critiques of his thought from more traditional Russian Orthodox teachers such as the hieromartyr and missionary, Fr. Daniel Sysoev.
May 3, 2016
Excellent volume for anyone's library.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews