Orthodox Christianity: The Basics

Orthodox Christianity: The Basics is an introduction to Orthodoxy’s origins in the apostolic era, historical development, doctrines, spiritual and liturgical practices, to the 21st Century social challenges. It is the ideal for those exploring Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Church History, Eastern Orthodoxy and Theology.

Resplendent icons, brilliant vestments, fragrant incense, and sonorous chants – the sights and sounds of the Orthodox Church have captured the imagination of people for centuries. Orthodox Christianity: The Basics is a compelling introduction to Orthodoxy’s origins in the apostolic era, historical development, doctrines, spiritual and liturgical practices, and the social challenges of the twenty-first century. Topics covered include:

• Alexandria, Antioch, and the apostolic age
• Christology, Pneumatology, and Life and Death Orthodox Spirituality
• The Liturgical Tradition
• Orthodox Ecclesiology
• Orthodoxy and Culture Wars

With suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, along with a glossary, Orthodox Christianity: The Basics is the ideal starting point for those exploring Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Church History, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Theology.

Introduction 1. Origins: Alexandria, Antioch, the Apostolic Age 2. History 3. Orthodox Theology: Christology, Pneumatology, Life and Death 4. Conceptualizing Orthodox Spirituality 5. Mysteries in Orthodoxy 6. Orthodoxy’s Liturgical Heritage 7. Orthodox Ecclesiology: Communities, Leaders, People 8. Orthodoxy in the Twenty-First Century Conclusion

"Denysenko demonstrates with grace that understanding of any one element of Orthodoxy requires some knowledge of the interconnected whole, and that will be of significant pedagogical value (to non-specialists and specialists alike)."
- Robert Saler, Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN, USA

"Nicholas Denysenko has impressively accomplished the formidable task of briefly charactering Orthodoxy. He has composed an accessible but not bland and balanced but not belaboured depiction of the history, theology, spirituality, liturgy, lived experience, and current challenges of the Orthodox Church. His expositions of the schism between Christian East and West as well as the past and current issues of church autocephaly are particularly cogent, and his attention to the domestic and daily realities of Orthodox Christians breathes life and fullness into this portrait of Orthodoxy. Perhaps most laudable is unapologetic avoidance of oversimplification; he accurately conveys the organic, sometimes self-contradictory complexity of the Orthodox Church."
- Carrie Frederick Frost, Western Washington University, USA

Nicholas Denysenko is Emil and Elfriede Jochum Professor and Chair, Valparaiso University, USA.