Anna M. Rozes

Clear and Concise

Revisado: 03-30-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Living Faith: An Orthodox Christian Conversation with Evangelicals, by Archpriest Lawrence Farley, is a book I wish I had available years ago when I converted from Baptist to Orthodoxy. Most of the Orthodox Christians I knew after my conversion were cradle Orthodox (Greek, Russian, Romanian) and we sometimes had challenging conversations because they did not understand my background. In the same respect, my family and friends did not understand my conversion and often questioned a great deal of my “new” beliefs, and I was certainly not equipped to answer and fear some of my conversations may have alienated me from both my Orthodox friends and my Evangelical friends and family. Many of the challenging conversations happen because although we use the same words, like salvation and communion, the meanings are quite different. I have been Orthodox now for almost 30 year and I still have trouble explaining the differences, but I would feel completely comfortable offering this book to someone to provide explanation and context. While there are multiple books written about the differences between the two denominations (for lack of a better word), Fr. Lawrence’s book is a quick and “easy” read. He is matter of fact in his explanations of the differences and how the Orthodox viewpoint impacts the walk of Faith and path to Salvation. Where some of the other books on this topic are more academic, Living Faith seems to be almost pastoral in explanation. He also takes time to explain the Evangelical viewpoint along with its history, which I believe is extremely helpful both to a new convert as well as someone exploring or challenging Orthodox beliefs. I really enjoyed this book, not only for the contrasts and comparisons, but also for the reminder of all the riches and fullness of the Orthodox Faith. Thanks be to God. I listened to the audible version and narrator John Maddex was superb (as always).

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Great story of determination and dedication

Revisado: 12-29-23

Such an inspiring story of this team. But especially Joe. I would have loved to spend a day with him listening to his stories.

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Such a lovely book

Revisado: 10-27-23

This book is full of nostalgia, love, hope and music. The stories of the characters were believable and heartbreakingly honest. Truly enjoyable and worth the read.

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A primer for living the orthodox life

Revisado: 03-13-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I read/listened to Bearing God: The Life and Works of St. Ignatius of Antioch twice before writing this review because I needed time to consider all that I had experienced during the first and even second reading. During the first reading, somewhere along the second chapter, I remember calling a friend and telling her I needed to take a break because I felt my entire thoughts about the Orthodox faith being shaken. Not in the way that I didn’t believe the same “facts” --- but the realization that I was not living the Orthodox faith in the way that it was meant to be lived.

Fr. Andrew begins the book with a brief overview of the life of St. Ignatius of Antioch. In this explanation of the life of St. Ignatius, we get to know and understand he was a disciple of John the Apostle and one of the Apostolic Fathers of the Orthodox Church and was ultimately martyred for his faith in the Coliseum at Rome. The subsequent chapters discuss the letters that he wrote to various churches and his contemporary and fellow Bishop, St. Polycarp, while he was on the journey to martyrdom.

The chapters discussing the St. Ignatius’ teachings from his epistles are grouped by subject matter: martyrdom, salvation in Christ, the role of the bishop, the unity of the Church and the Eucharist. These chapters could come off as didactic; however, Fr. Andrew’s approach makes them relatable and practical in living the Orthodox Faith. This book does not add or subtract from the core teachings of the Orthodox Faith in creed or statement of Faith, but it does turn the way we live and practice our faith on its head. We cannot celebrate the Eucharist without the clergy (Bishop) and they cannot celebrate it without us, the lay people of the church. The Orthodox church is truly communal with the Eucharist as its central force. In the Eucharist we partake of the body and blood of Christ and in this partaking, He dwells within us --- and we in Him. We truly do “bear God” and do merely “represent” but as members of the Orthodox Church ARE the Body of Christ in the world.

The Church hierarchy, the Eucharist, and the church being the Body of Christ are not new concepts, but Fr. Andrew uses the teachings of St. Ignatius to spotlight that we simply cannot view the Orthodox faith in an individualized way or simply as a matter of inward belief. Our participation in the Liturgy and the Eucharist makes us one with Christ and each other. And if we are One with Him and each other, then we must live our faith outwardly and differently.

This book is a must read for anyone who really wants to understand how we should live as Orthodox Christians.

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Phenomenal story and storytelling

Revisado: 07-28-21

Truly one of the best books I have ever read. The narrators were phenomenal! Nancy Wake was an amazing woman and Ms. Lawhon did her story great justice.

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Suspenseful and thought provoking

Revisado: 06-12-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Icon is a thought-provoking book. Euphrosyne is a 12-year old girl in futuristic Alabama who must ultimately choose whether to stand for her Faith in Christ or submit to the new order of secularism. After her parents and sister are killed early in the the book, she lives with her grandparents and tries to comply with living without her faith. However, she has witnessed a miracle involving an Icon of St. Nicholas which keeps her faith alive. As time passes, she encounters others who continue to believe and discreetly practice their Orthodox Faith. (Note: For sake of not spoiling the plot of the book, I am being intentionally cryptic).

This book was suspenseful and sometimes distressing because of the subject matter and the discomfort of thinking about Martyrdom for faith in modern America. There were many beautiful moments where the beauty of her faith and her memories of worship with her family sustain her. There is a breathtaking and beautiful scene near the end of the book where Euphrosyne perceives the Church Triumphant (those that have gone before us) participating in the Liturgy.

I listened to the Audible version of the book. The narrator was very good—- singing and chanting hymns and prayers that were part of the story. She was also very good at voicing each of the characters and kept the pace interesting.

I really enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful and kept a good pace. I would be concerned with allowing adolescents to read the book without parental involvement. There are some themes like torture and martyrdom that may be concerning to a less mature teenager. As an Orthodox Christian, this book resonated deeply with me, but I believe that anyone with Faith in Christ will find this book fascinating and an enjoyable read.

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A window into holiness

Revisado: 01-03-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Sweetness of Grace is by far the favorite book I read in 2020. I had the pleasure of listening to it on Audible and I truly enjoyed hearing Matushka Constantina tell her stories aloud --- and it felt as if you were sitting with her surrounded by Holy Icons as she read. She and her husband have been blessed with being able to travel and have many encounters with monastics over the years during their time in Greece, Korea, and North America. She is a masterful storyteller and relays the experiences, teachings, miracles, and other encounters with holiness and weaves them into a beautiful tapestry and colors them with Scripture and the writings of the church Fathers. The stories are grouped into eight chapters, one for each Beatitude.

These vignettes make one long for holiness and a more intimate knowledge and relationship with Christ. While many of us, especially in North America, do not have easy access to monastics (especially in these most recent days), Constantina gives us a window to look and see that Christ is real and a life of devotion to him is possible both in and outside of a monastery. Her stories also made me realize that we often are to busy to seek the blessings that Christ has to offer us – whether it be the blessing from our own parish priest, visiting clergy or a pilgrimage to a nearby monastery. Miracles, blessings and answers to prayers abound if we are open to acknowledge them and receive them. As I listened to this book, I would very often be reminded of Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while he may be found..”

This book is written in a very conversational style, which makes it completely approachable for a nice long listen, but I also wound up purchasing the written copy so that I could keep it on my nightstand to read and ponder a specific story or miracle that she relayed.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It beautifully depicts the teachings of the Orthodox Church and offers inspiration to continue the journey toward (and I paraphrase): “attaining holiness, tasting the sweetness of Grace, and living a life of blessedness.”

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Perseverance, protection, and providence

Revisado: 10-27-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This book was truly delightful and inspirational. I had only heard of Mother Alexandra in passing, and this was my first real experience to learn more about her. As a nurse myself, I quickly identified with her love of medicine and her love of actively caring for people. This story, which focused on only a few years of her life, make me want to know more about her.

This book is Prince Ileana of Romania’s story of how her hospital, The Hospital of the Queen’s Heart, came into being and grew into a facility that cared not only for soldiers, but also the entire community surrounding her homeland. Princess Ileana (now Mother Alexandra) provides a first-person account of the hospital’s inception, financial support, and growth came to fruition despite all the trials and tribulations of wartime, Russian occupation, and Communist rule. Stories about the hospital’s humble beginnings are interwoven with stories about staff and patients alike. It is peppered with stories of lively marriage celebrations and descriptions of traditional Romanian customs and dress that fill the story with color and joy. Her love the profession of nursing and her satisfaction to care for people in their most vulnerable times is evident throughout the book.

Reading this book feels as if you are sitting in a chair next to Mother Alexandra with a cup of tea as she recounts the challenges and triumphs of building a hospital from the ground up. She weaves in and out of the pragmatic history of the hospital itself and the sentimental anecdotes of the people (staff, family, physicians, patients) that she cared for so deeply. Her vision, faith and perseverance are surpassed only by God’s protection and providence. She illustrates God’s providence by relating how she was willing to sell a personal piece of jewelry to purchase a building to start the hospital, an old family friend offered to give her an old army barracks to use for the building. She recounts that even though she was willing to use the money from that piece of jewelry multiple times, God always provided, and she was able to give that jewelry to her daughter after she moved to the United States.

For this audiobook, the reader’s performance is exceptional. Her cadence and inflection truly make it feel as if you are listening to a loved one recount the tales of their youth.

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moving

Revisado: 03-17-17

what a beautiful moving story about how lives are intertwined...and how humanity is the same regardless of nationality or situation.

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Fabulous

Revisado: 06-12-16

What did you like best about this story?

This book was so human. Ove represents all of us at one time or another in our life where we do something seemingly only out of responsibility and it winds up changing/impacting our life as well.

Which scene was your favorite?

Oh my, there were so many! I think my favorite scene is when Ove backs the trailer over the road and tells the man in the white shirt that there was nothing on TV... and then the subsequent scene where the entire town is there to take care of Anita and Rune

Who was the most memorable character of A Man Called Ove and why?

Parveneh. She saw right through Ove and handled him perfectly. She didn't confront him or argue with him. She actually treated him much like I expect Sonja treated him. Very matter-of-factly but with great respect.

Any additional comments?

This book really helps you understand that you simply do not know what another person is going through. Each person has their own trials and tribulations; kindness towards others goes along way and always comes back to help you.

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