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Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life
Here is a genuinely different and practical book for the inquirer and potential convert to Orthodox Christianity. It is different in a number of ways, all of which commend this volume to wide use by pastors whose task it is to introduce the members of their inquirers classes to an Orthodox way of life which will touch their lives in a full and complete way (Fr. Stanley Harakas). Chapters include: What We Believe About the One Apostolic Church, the Nicene Creed, Jesus, the Holy Trinity, the Divine Liturgy, Salvation, the Church Fathers, the Church Year, Symbols, the Sacraments, the Saints and the Theotokos, Life After Death, the Bible, Icons, Prayers for the Dead, and Prayer. This book has been translated into seven languages. 18th printing. (P: 282; 15 x 22 cm) ISBN: 9780933654082
282 pages, paperback
Published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 12, 2026
Very good.
February 28, 2024
We used this and “Know the Faith” by Fr. Michael Shanbour for our catechumen class. I found the aforementioned book to be more in depth in its explanation of the basics of orthodox theology and beliefs, and it seemed to cover things in a more complex(?) understanding/way. This book was still very good for a general introduction and statement of beliefs of the Orthodox Church for the general inquirer or person wanting to know more about the Church without having to be too overwhelmed with dense theology. Overall not a bad book 👍🏻
August 5, 2021
Such a beautiful, in depth look at what it means to be an Orthodox Christian. Very informative. Perfect for those who are interested in the Orthodox Church.
May 25, 2026
Few introductory books on Eastern Orthodoxy balance accessibility, theological depth, historical awareness, and spiritual warmth. Many are either too academic, assuming too much prior knowledge, or too devotional, leaving serious questions unanswered. In Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life, Anthony M. Coniaris avoids both extremes with remarkable success. The result is one of the most accessible and pastorally effective introductions to Orthodox Christianity available today.
At its heart, this book does more than explain Orthodox doctrine; it invites readers into a distinct way of seeing the world. Coniaris presents Orthodoxy not as a philosophical system or mere denominational label, but as a lived faith grounded in worship, sacramental life, prayer, continuity, and communion with God. This vision is one of the book’s greatest strengths.
One of the book’s greatest achievements is its clarity. Orthodox theology can easily become dense, especially when discussing concepts such as Holy Tradition, theosis, icons, or the relationship between Scripture and the Church. Coniaris explains these ideas in direct and readable prose without flattening their complexity. Readers unfamiliar with Orthodoxy are not talked down to, but neither are they overwhelmed by technical language or excessive theological jargon.
The structure of the book is also highly effective. Coniaris moves naturally between history, doctrine, worship, and practical spirituality. Rather than isolating theology into abstract categories, he demonstrates how Orthodox belief emerges through liturgical and communal life. This reflects an authentically Orthodox approach. In Orthodoxy, theology is never merely intellectual; it is sung, prayed, enacted, and experienced. The book captures this connection exceptionally well.
The sections on worship and sacramental life are especially strong. Coniaris presents the Divine Liturgy not simply as a ritual, but as participation in heavenly worship. His treatment of icons is equally effective, especially for readers from Protestant traditions, where iconography is often misunderstood. He shows that icons are neither idols nor mere religious decoration, but theological expressions grounded in the Incarnation: because Christ became flesh, matter can mediate holiness.
Another strength is the book’s pastoral tone. Coniaris writes as a priest concerned not merely with informing readers, but with guiding them spiritually. Even when discussing controversial differences between Orthodoxy and Western Christianity, he avoids the triumphalism or bitterness that can plague apologetic works. His tone remains respectful and invitational rather than combative.
That said, the book has limits. Readers looking for a more academic or historically critical treatment may find parts of it overly simplified. Complex issues such as the Great Schism, doctrinal disputes, and internal tensions within Orthodoxy are treated more pastorally than analytically. Coniaris is writing to introduce and form readers, not to engage in scholarly debate.
Additionally, because the book is written from within the Greek Orthodox tradition, some cultural emphases occasionally appear that may not fully represent the breadth of global Orthodoxy. However, this does little to diminish the overall value of the work.
Perhaps the book’s most important strength is that it presents Orthodoxy as a living faith. The reader encounters not just a set of beliefs, but a way of life shaped by prayer, beauty, fasting, liturgy, repentance, and resurrection. Coniaris understands that Orthodoxy cannot be conveyed through argument alone; it must be lived as a path toward communion with God.
For readers coming from Protestant, Catholic, or secular backgrounds, this book serves as an excellent doorway into Orthodox Christianity. It is especially valuable for those who want more than doctrinal comparison charts and are genuinely interested in understanding how Orthodox Christians worship, think, and live.
In the end, Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life remain one of the finest introductory texts available on Eastern Orthodoxy. It succeeds because it presents Orthodoxy not as an artifact of the ancient world, but as a living, sacramental, and deep human faith that continues to speak powerfully to modern spiritual hunger.
At its heart, this book does more than explain Orthodox doctrine; it invites readers into a distinct way of seeing the world. Coniaris presents Orthodoxy not as a philosophical system or mere denominational label, but as a lived faith grounded in worship, sacramental life, prayer, continuity, and communion with God. This vision is one of the book’s greatest strengths.
One of the book’s greatest achievements is its clarity. Orthodox theology can easily become dense, especially when discussing concepts such as Holy Tradition, theosis, icons, or the relationship between Scripture and the Church. Coniaris explains these ideas in direct and readable prose without flattening their complexity. Readers unfamiliar with Orthodoxy are not talked down to, but neither are they overwhelmed by technical language or excessive theological jargon.
The structure of the book is also highly effective. Coniaris moves naturally between history, doctrine, worship, and practical spirituality. Rather than isolating theology into abstract categories, he demonstrates how Orthodox belief emerges through liturgical and communal life. This reflects an authentically Orthodox approach. In Orthodoxy, theology is never merely intellectual; it is sung, prayed, enacted, and experienced. The book captures this connection exceptionally well.
The sections on worship and sacramental life are especially strong. Coniaris presents the Divine Liturgy not simply as a ritual, but as participation in heavenly worship. His treatment of icons is equally effective, especially for readers from Protestant traditions, where iconography is often misunderstood. He shows that icons are neither idols nor mere religious decoration, but theological expressions grounded in the Incarnation: because Christ became flesh, matter can mediate holiness.
Another strength is the book’s pastoral tone. Coniaris writes as a priest concerned not merely with informing readers, but with guiding them spiritually. Even when discussing controversial differences between Orthodoxy and Western Christianity, he avoids the triumphalism or bitterness that can plague apologetic works. His tone remains respectful and invitational rather than combative.
That said, the book has limits. Readers looking for a more academic or historically critical treatment may find parts of it overly simplified. Complex issues such as the Great Schism, doctrinal disputes, and internal tensions within Orthodoxy are treated more pastorally than analytically. Coniaris is writing to introduce and form readers, not to engage in scholarly debate.
Additionally, because the book is written from within the Greek Orthodox tradition, some cultural emphases occasionally appear that may not fully represent the breadth of global Orthodoxy. However, this does little to diminish the overall value of the work.
Perhaps the book’s most important strength is that it presents Orthodoxy as a living faith. The reader encounters not just a set of beliefs, but a way of life shaped by prayer, beauty, fasting, liturgy, repentance, and resurrection. Coniaris understands that Orthodoxy cannot be conveyed through argument alone; it must be lived as a path toward communion with God.
For readers coming from Protestant, Catholic, or secular backgrounds, this book serves as an excellent doorway into Orthodox Christianity. It is especially valuable for those who want more than doctrinal comparison charts and are genuinely interested in understanding how Orthodox Christians worship, think, and live.
In the end, Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life remain one of the finest introductory texts available on Eastern Orthodoxy. It succeeds because it presents Orthodoxy not as an artifact of the ancient world, but as a living, sacramental, and deep human faith that continues to speak powerfully to modern spiritual hunger.
February 10, 2026
This was an incredible synthesis of anecdote, doctrine, theology, and application. Don’t really know how to go about reviewing a text on the theology of a church other than to say it had completely unraveled my uneducated, western, protestant understanding of the Eastern Orthodox traditions. Truthfully fell in love with it and as of Sunday February 8th, started my catechism into my local parish.
Coming from a background of nondenominational faith, I looked at orth and cath as dogmatic and proud, riddled with heresies like idol worship and a lack of foundation that’s only found in the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Coniaris didn’t even need to dig into much of the wealth of tradition preserved through the Orthodox Church to dismantle my conceptions in a far more graceful way than any discourse with orthobros on Reddit or Instagram have. Shocker, right?
Using in equal measure his own words and excerpts from homilies, meditations, and scriptures, Coniaris tackles the big concepts that separate Orthodoxy from the rest of the Christian denominations - iconography, veneration of saints and the Theotokos, and reliance on sources outside of the Bible - generalized as “tradition” - as an equally valid expansion of Christian theology.
Being a “no God but God” and “no truth but The Bible” guy, these chapters were challenging, but supported in a way that I had to surrender my convictions to them. A bit nonsensical for me to dismiss early church teachers because they’re not quoted in the Bible, but they’re the very same men that collected and canonized the same Bible that is produced today.
Who am I to say the veneration of Mary is idolatry, when the apostle Luke had done it? I can’t in good faith say the apostle was practicing heresy and I, a disciple trained under Lutheran schism 2000 years later, can discern the truth better than he, who walked among the original apostles and established the very first churches.
At the risk of oversimplifying and glazing over the hundred other practices or beliefs represented in this tome, I’ll forego their specific mention and just say that this was one of those texts that will be foundational to me going forward. Ever-present in the orthodox faith is the confirmation of ancient beliefs like the transubstantiation of the Eucharist, the hypostatic union of Christ, and the active presence of the saints, which is mystically charming and feels so much warmer than the faith I’ve had.
Lastly, I want to highlight how well-read the author is, and how forward he is in recommending further study and authors. The bibliography cites 98 external sources, and that’s excluding a generous chunk of orthodox literature that the author considers to be internal. I’m betting 200 different books, essays, or teachings were used to compile this volume, not accounting for anecdotes and memoirs. At the end of some chapters, the author will frankly state “I think these titles, by these writers, are either essential reading material or will better express these ideas than I have done so here.”
All of this was done gracefully. There were no subtle or unfair jabs at other denominations, while remaining resolute that because of this particular blend of history, scripture and practice, the Orthodox Church firmly believes xyz instead.
Most importantly, this fed and fed and fed my spirit, and yet, I am hungry for more. The conclusion of this book evidences a rich theology, where after such laborious instruction, there is still an overwhelming compulsion to “go deeper.”
☦️
Coming from a background of nondenominational faith, I looked at orth and cath as dogmatic and proud, riddled with heresies like idol worship and a lack of foundation that’s only found in the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Coniaris didn’t even need to dig into much of the wealth of tradition preserved through the Orthodox Church to dismantle my conceptions in a far more graceful way than any discourse with orthobros on Reddit or Instagram have. Shocker, right?
Using in equal measure his own words and excerpts from homilies, meditations, and scriptures, Coniaris tackles the big concepts that separate Orthodoxy from the rest of the Christian denominations - iconography, veneration of saints and the Theotokos, and reliance on sources outside of the Bible - generalized as “tradition” - as an equally valid expansion of Christian theology.
Being a “no God but God” and “no truth but The Bible” guy, these chapters were challenging, but supported in a way that I had to surrender my convictions to them. A bit nonsensical for me to dismiss early church teachers because they’re not quoted in the Bible, but they’re the very same men that collected and canonized the same Bible that is produced today.
Who am I to say the veneration of Mary is idolatry, when the apostle Luke had done it? I can’t in good faith say the apostle was practicing heresy and I, a disciple trained under Lutheran schism 2000 years later, can discern the truth better than he, who walked among the original apostles and established the very first churches.
At the risk of oversimplifying and glazing over the hundred other practices or beliefs represented in this tome, I’ll forego their specific mention and just say that this was one of those texts that will be foundational to me going forward. Ever-present in the orthodox faith is the confirmation of ancient beliefs like the transubstantiation of the Eucharist, the hypostatic union of Christ, and the active presence of the saints, which is mystically charming and feels so much warmer than the faith I’ve had.
Lastly, I want to highlight how well-read the author is, and how forward he is in recommending further study and authors. The bibliography cites 98 external sources, and that’s excluding a generous chunk of orthodox literature that the author considers to be internal. I’m betting 200 different books, essays, or teachings were used to compile this volume, not accounting for anecdotes and memoirs. At the end of some chapters, the author will frankly state “I think these titles, by these writers, are either essential reading material or will better express these ideas than I have done so here.”
All of this was done gracefully. There were no subtle or unfair jabs at other denominations, while remaining resolute that because of this particular blend of history, scripture and practice, the Orthodox Church firmly believes xyz instead.
Most importantly, this fed and fed and fed my spirit, and yet, I am hungry for more. The conclusion of this book evidences a rich theology, where after such laborious instruction, there is still an overwhelming compulsion to “go deeper.”
☦️
August 21, 2025
Reading Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life by Anthony M. Coniaris felt like stepping into a sacred conversation, one that gently unfolds the beauty, depth, and living tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy with clarity and reverence. I didn’t just read this book, I experienced it.
Coniaris writes with the warmth of a pastor and the insight of a scholar, making complex theological concepts feel approachable without ever diluting their richness. From the sacraments to the liturgical life, from icons to the meaning of salvation, every chapter felt like a window into a world that is both ancient and vibrantly alive today.
What I appreciated most was how the book balances doctrine with devotion. It’s not just about what the Orthodox Church believes, it’s about how those beliefs shape a way of life, a rhythm of prayer, and a vision of the world that is deeply sacramental and profoundly communal. I learned so much, not only about the Church’s teachings but also about its heart.
Whether you’re Orthodox, curious about Orthodoxy, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of Christian spirituality, this book is a treasure. It’s the kind of read that stays with you, inviting reflection long after the final page.
I’m so grateful I picked this up. It was illuminating, inspiring, and, above all, beautiful.
Coniaris writes with the warmth of a pastor and the insight of a scholar, making complex theological concepts feel approachable without ever diluting their richness. From the sacraments to the liturgical life, from icons to the meaning of salvation, every chapter felt like a window into a world that is both ancient and vibrantly alive today.
What I appreciated most was how the book balances doctrine with devotion. It’s not just about what the Orthodox Church believes, it’s about how those beliefs shape a way of life, a rhythm of prayer, and a vision of the world that is deeply sacramental and profoundly communal. I learned so much, not only about the Church’s teachings but also about its heart.
Whether you’re Orthodox, curious about Orthodoxy, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of Christian spirituality, this book is a treasure. It’s the kind of read that stays with you, inviting reflection long after the final page.
I’m so grateful I picked this up. It was illuminating, inspiring, and, above all, beautiful.
May 10, 2026
Good overview of the beliefs of the Orthodox church, pretty concise and easy to read. I liked that there were many Biblical references used when explaining many of the beliefs, and the summaries at the end of each chapter were great- honestly wish more books would be written in this format. I would have liked Biblical reasoning and explanation for certain beliefs (such as icon veneration, how they decided which ecumenical councils were legitimate, etc.), but perhaps it was neglected because there is none...
August 20, 2025
For an introduction, I feel as though I was given more than an intro which is fantastic. When reading the Bible, my soul feels the warmth and stirring of the Holy Spirit. Somehow reading certain sections of this book does the very same thing. I personally feel led to Eastern Orthodoxy, and this book has blessed me with knowledge but also immense understanding of what's before me, what's next to me, and what's behind me. I am surrounded by humility and love in all sincerity.
September 22, 2024
This is the best intro to Orthodox book I’ve read. It’s a must read for everyone from the inquirers to the faithful. The highlights were the analogies, interpretations and simplifying things without withdrawing their meaning and the end of chapter summaries made this a joy to read. Praise be to God ☦️
April 26, 2022
Wonderful introduction to Orthodox Christianity!
April 5, 2024
Father gave it to me for my conversion from Catholic to Greek Orthodox. It explained everything so clearly. It was a joy to read and highly recommend it!
February 22, 2025
A good introduction to the Orthodox Faith. It keeps things simple and covers a multitude of topics in a digestible manner. It is also good to keep around to return to and reference the basics.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews