The Longer Catechism of the Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church

by Philaret of Moscow

“What is Christian hope?” According to the Longer Catechism, Christian hope is "the resting of the heart on God, with the full trust that he ever cares for our salvation, and will give us the happiness he has promised." Succinctly and authoritatively, this and many other questions were asked and answered in St. Philaret of Moscow's Longer Catechism, which he composed in order to assist the faithful in understanding the essentials of the Orthodox Christian faith and way of life. Totaling six hundred and eleven questions and answers, it organizes its subjects on the three pillars of Faith, Hope, and Love, and under each respective heading treats of the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and Beatitudes, and the Ten Commandments. This immensely valuable work has stood the test of time and will continue to be a resource for bishops, priests, deacons, laity, and catechumens, for teaching, learning, and reinforcing the truths of our faith. Also included is St. Philaret’s Shorter Catechism, and also a profound and moving sermon by him on the Cross of Christ. Perfect for young and old, for individual study, small groups, and catechism classes, and for inquirers into the Orthodox faith, it is hoped that the trustworthy and sanctified voice of St. Philaret will continue to echo still, edifying and enlightening all those who take up and read.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

Saint Philaret of Moscow, Metropolitan Philaret. His secular name was Vasily Mikhaylovich Drozdov or Василий Михайлович Дроздов.

Reviews

[Dorotheos · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have a question? You will find the answer here!
The best introduction to Orthodox faith. period.

[Ricky Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after having read more esoteric books on Orthodoxy during my inquiry. The Orthodox Church doesn't have an official catechism like some church bodies do, but this is one that is widely recognized and often recommended to inquirers, and sometimes used in catechism classes depending on the priest. If you're not accustomed to reading recondite theology, I strongly recommend you begin with this book if you're thinking about inquiring into Orthodoxy, or simply just want to understand it more. As is the nature of catechisms, it is simply structured and is a great stepping stone into Orthodoxy, and there is an EXCELLENT Good Friday sermon by St Philaret in the back. I would say that I wish he had a section on theosis, but that is considered solid food of theology, and a catechism's purpose is to give the spiritual milk first. You wouldn't feed an infant a rare steak, for it needs milk first. The same applies to theology (Hebrews 5:12-14).

[S. P. Machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

uma boa introdução a ortodoxia

[Alex Szurkus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Longer Catechism of the Eastern Orthodox Church: The Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow is a well-crafted and thorough exposition of Orthodox Christian doctrine, offering clear, structured answers to questions about the faith. St. Philaret’s work not only provides theological depth but also serves as a window into the cultural and spiritual climate of 19th-century Russia. While some responses seem to presuppose certain theological concepts without providing sufficient justification, the catechism as a whole remains a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the Orthodox Faith or preparing to enter the Church. Its timeless wisdom and practical clarity make it an essential read for Catechumens and those exploring life in Christ’s Body.

[Reed Goforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good, and straightforward. Goes in detail on The Creed, Our Father, Ten Commandments, Sacraments, Beatitudes, and other areas. It was simple and pretty easy to understand. Much of what’s covered is essential and so it doesn’t get too theologically dense. Good read , the whole thing is in a question/answer format.

[Graham Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

First off, I'm not Orthodox. This is not a polemic, nor a systematic theology, but is an excellent overview of Orthodox thought, and appears to be highly regarded in the Orthodox Church. The Q&A style is very helpful to those used to reading catechisms, and makes it very easy to understand.

[Timothy Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found an orthodox catechism

Glad.to.kmow.it is what I believe I think all Christians should red this and be taught this as children. Boy we would have a great world if people took this into their hearts and minds.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Very informative as an orthodox catechumen!

[Jason Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great confession of faith that covers the basics of Christian living.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're protestant inquiring into Orthodoxy, this books has the same setup as Reformed Confessions (Westminster, 1689 LBCF, 3 Forms of Unity, etc) and covers all the grounds. Some ROCOR parishes use this for catechumen classes, I've been told.