The reading selection of a newly-illumined Christian charts his spiritual course: either progressing within the Church toward God, or conversely, drifting from the Church and away from God.
First and foremost, every Christian benefits from reading the Holy Fathers — saints from various epochs and lands, whether hierarchs, monastic elders, or martyrs. While certain modern authors may also be included in one’s reading, these should be approached with particular discernment.
Regarding the ancient fathers one can begin with the so-called golden age of patristic writing, that is, the IV — beginning of the V century. The hierarchs will help in better understanding of the Church’s teaching and for comprehension of how an ordinary layperson should live. Moreover, they will also teach how to spiritually grow in contemplation of God, in knowledge of God, in communion with God, in prayer and so forth. The venerable fathers, however, place primary emphasis on inner spiritual work and sometimes partially reveal certain divine mysteries, mysteries of communion with God.
Those recently baptized can begin with St. Cyril of Jerusalem by reading his five Mystagogical Catecheses, which were specifically addressed to the newly baptized. These teachings concern the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments). The liturgical practices reflected in them belong to the 4th century and have since undergone some changes, though not so radically as to become incomprehensible. Meanwhile, the spiritual meaning of the Sacraments is explained brilliantly.
Of course, it is also worthwhile to read any works by St. John Chrysostom. He has almost no writings that are purely dogmatic in nature—most are either exegetical (Biblical commentary) or moral exhortations. In terms of exegesis, there is certainly nothing better than his homilies on the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of John. But it is also worth reading his other homilies, such as Homilies on the Statues, or his letters—for example, Letters to Olympias. The abundance of different texts allows the reader to choose what suits their spiritual state: to rejoice with the joyful Chrysostom or to grieve with the sorrowful one.
All of St. Basil the Great’s texts are excellent. For beginners, his Homilies (26 in total) and Homilies on the Psalms are likely the most suitable—they are simple, accessible, and varied in content. Over time, readers may also find it interesting to explore his Homilies on the Hexaemeron.
St. Gregory the Theologian might be somewhat challenging for initial reading: his rhetoric is elevated, and he often speaks with deliberate obscurity to prevent non-churchgoers from fully grasping his meaning. This approach—shared by St. Basil the Great—was a way of publicly teaching without divulging the mysteries of Church doctrine. To properly understand St. Gregory the Theologian, one must revisit his works regularly. For the long term, we recommend Five Theological Orations (Orations 27–31 in the standard numbering) and his Oration on Pascha (Oration 45).
St. Gregory of Nyssa’s work The Life of Moses reveals the soul’s journey toward the contemplation of God—its ascent to heavenly heights. Along the way, the author vividly and imaginatively presents essential teachings on anthropology and asceticism necessary for salvation.
The Church’s doctrine was comprehensively summarized in ancient times by St. John of Damascus in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith. Only the section on Christology is somewhat expanded, while the rest is remarkably harmonious, balanced, precise, and well-structured. Every word is like a pearl—each in its proper place.
Another essential dogmatic work (and one that is simpler than An Exact Exposition) is the Longer Christian Catechism by St. Philaret of Moscow.
Continuing on the topic of dogmatics, we should also note the Orthodox Confession and a more modern book—A Condensed Exposition of the Doctrines of the Faith by Archbishop Platon (Thebes).
To understand the essence of various doctrinal errors in modern Orthodox literature, the book The Distortion of Orthodox Truth in Russian Theological Thought by St. Seraphim (Sobolev) will be of great benefit. This same saint also has wonderful and very accessible sermons with profound spiritual depth.
Among doctrinal texts, one cannot overlook *On the Incarnation of the Word of God* by St. Athanasius the Great. He also authored the remarkable *Life of St. Anthony the Great*. Having personally known St. Anthony, met with him repeatedly, and even lived near him, St. Athanasius’ account is partly based on his own observations and partly on the testimonies of St. Anthony’s disciples. This book is truly revolutionary—much like *The Confessions of St. Augustine* (which should also be recommended to every Christian without exception). However, while *The Confessions* brought about a spiritual revolution in the West, the *Life of St. Anthony* caused a seismic shift across the entire Christian world of that time, revealing the perfect model of monastic life to all.
Among the ancient monastic writers, we must also mention St. Macarius the Great. His *Fifty Spiritual Homilies*—a classic 19th-century publication—is a profound and monumental work. It is difficult to say how accessible it might be for beginners, but it is certainly worth attempting, at least in part, and should be read slowly and attentively. In these homilies, the holy father unveils the mysteries of God, allowing us to glimpse—if only through his eyes—these divine truths and, in some way, partake in them. This is undoubtedly something extraordinary. I highly recommend this book, perhaps reading it little by little, without haste.
The short works and chapters of St. Mark the Ascetic are truly remarkable. Among ancient authors—particularly monastic writers—such chapters often take the form of concise, paragraph-long maxims. These were frequently compiled into centuries (groups of 100 chapters) for deliberate study and memorization.
A jewel of ascetic literature is the Soul-Profiting Instructions of Abba Dorotheus, written with vivid imagery, brilliance, and accessibility.
For biblical exegesis among ancient commentators, one might recommend Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus. He interpreted numerous books of both the Old and New Testaments—his commentaries are brief yet profound.
When it comes to commentaries on the New Testament, we must first mention Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria, who lived at the turn of the 11th–12th centuries. His works should be read in their entirety, from beginning to end. He synthesized everything that had been written before him. His «Blagovestnik» (a commentary on all 26 books of the New Testament except Revelation) is a perfect masterpiece, as he interprets the text historically, philologically, and dogmatically, while also incorporating elements of polemics against heretics, moral instruction, and contemplative insights. To fully grasp the meaning, some familiarity with ascetic terminology and imagery is necessary at certain points. Therefore, the full depth of his interpretation won’t be accessible upon first reading—it will gradually unfold over the years as one grows in spiritual life.
Among other ancient authors, we should also mention St. Maximus the Confessor and his «Chapters on Love,» though the concise formulations of St. Maximus might prove too challenging for beginners. His profound theological insights are expressed with remarkable density, requiring careful and prayerful reading to properly appreciate their depth.
A special mention must be made of saints’ lives and patericons (short accounts of holy fathers or their sayings). This constitutes an entire genre of literature that was particularly beloved by our ancestors and remains immensely beneficial for all. First and foremost are the actual Lives of Saints compiled by St. Demetrius of Rostov. These can be read in any order, as through them the reader enters into Church history, becomes acquainted with the saints — learning why they were canonized and how they attained holiness — and is inspired to emulate them on the path to the Heavenly Kingdom. While hagiographic literature might initially seem somewhat monotonous, this impression completely disappears with time. Other excellent collections include The New Eklogion by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite and the Synaxarion by Hieromonk Macarius.
The hagiographic tradition further includes: The Ancient Paterikon Arranged by Chapters; The Spiritual Meadow by Blessed John Moschos; The Sayings of the Desert Fathers; The Lausiac History by Bishop Palladius of Helenopolis; The Dialogues of St. Gregory the Dialogist; The Kiev Caves Patericon; as well as The Fatherland compiled by St. Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) and similar works. These texts are simultaneously fascinating, engaging, and profoundly edifying. Particularly noteworthy are the lives of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, among which we should mention the remarkable autobiography of the pious ascetic and confessor Nun Ambrose (Oberucheva), «The Story of a Little Old Lady.» This autobiographical account stands as a powerful testimony of faith during persecution.
It would be beneficial to explore the epistolary genre as well. As prime examples, let us mention two authors from the turn of the 4th-5th centuries: St. Nilus of Sinai and St. Isidore of Pelusium. Their letters often contain powerful and concise interpretations of Scripture, ascetic teachings, and polemics against heresies — all remarkably insightful. These ancient letters share much in spirit with the 19th century correspondence of St. Ambrose of Optina.
Equally valuable are patristic sermons for church feasts. Before major celebrations, one might read the Fathers’ homilies and commentaries on the occasion. For accessible sermons, consider the homilies of St. Gregory Palamas — though known as a hesychast and profound theologian, his sermons were delivered for ordinary people and remain quite approachable.
Regarding Russian spiritual writers, I would recommend nearly all the major figures. St. Demetrius of Rostov, in addition to his Lives of Saints, left us wonderful sermons — some quite extensive, others more simple. The works of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, St. Theophan the Recluse, and St. Ignatius Brianchaninov also deserve special attention for their depth and practical wisdom. St. John of Kronstadt’s spiritual diary «My Life in Christ» offers particularly accessible and inspiring reading for modern Christians. These Russian saints have a remarkable gift for expressing profound theological truths in language that speaks directly to the heart.
Among the spiritual treasures of Russian Orthodoxy, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk’s «Spiritual Treasure Gathered from the World» stands as a remarkable work of divine contemplation. In our times, few truly understand the nature and purpose of spiritual contemplation, though in antiquity it was considered a hallmark of advanced Christian spirituality. This work reveals how everyday phenomena can become windows into eternal truths when viewed with purified spiritual vision.
The 19th century presents us with St. Theophan the Recluse, arguably the most comprehensive Russian spiritual writer whose works encompass an extraordinary range of genres and themes. For beginners, his «What is Spiritual Life and How to Attune to It» serves as a brilliant introduction — a collection of letters whose content is evident from the title. Equally valuable are his «Letters to Various Persons on Matters of Faith and Life,» which includes particularly insightful correspondence about Protestant errors (letters 8 and 24-29). Among his numerous works, «On Prayer» and «The Incarnate Economy of Salvation» stand out, while «Four Words on Prayer» offers perhaps the most concise and perfect introduction to Christian prayer. His magnum opus «The Path to Salvation» systematically outlines the Christian’s spiritual journey from birth to death, addressing the challenges of spiritual growth at each life stage, the struggle with passions, and the gradual revelation of divine contemplation. Significantly, St. Theophan not only translated the Philokalia into Russian but also produced exhaustive commentaries on nearly all of St. Paul’s epistles, making him an unparalleled guide to both ascetic practice and theological understanding. His works remain indispensable for anyone seeking to understand Orthodox spirituality in its depth and practicality.
A contemporary of St. Theophan was St. Ignatius (Bryanchaninov). Among his many works, Ascetic Essays, particularly the first volume, can be recommended for beginners. If some of the articles seem too difficult at first, they can be skipped. St. Ignatius is compelling in his steadfastness in the struggle against passions, emphasizing its necessity for a Christian. Thematic excerpts from his Ascetic Sermons can also be taken to better understand the meaning of Church feasts. In The Word on Death, he provides a very detailed exposition of the Church’s teaching on the afterlife, drawing in part on materials from the lives of saints. A modern counterpart to this book is The Soul After Death by Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), which includes a detailed analysis of so-called near-death experiences.
Among the pre-revolutionary fathers, one cannot fail to recommend St. John of Kronstadt, especially My Life in Christ. This is a collection of sketches and diary-like reflections, making it difficult to read systematically, but if approached occasionally, the benefit will be undeniable.
Among the 20th-century fathers, we should mention the writings of St. Paisios of Mount Athos and St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia, as well as memoirs about these elders.
For brief and compelling reflections on issues relevant to Christians, St. Nikolai (Velimirović) of Serbia offers his Missionary Letters.
Let us speak separately about prayer. To many, it seems like something very simple: just take it up and pray. However, proper prayer requires attentiveness (the «soul of prayer,» as defined by St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)), reverence, and the fear of God. Anyone who has made even a slight effort to pray understands that attention often wavers during the recitation of prayers. Therefore, it would be beneficial for every Christian to read the aforementioned Four Discourses on Prayer by St. Theophan the Recluse.
Further, within The Ascetic Experiences of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), there are discourses on prayer in general and separately on the Jesus Prayer. We should also mention the excellent compilation by Abbot Chariton of Valaam, Unseen Warfare—a collection of thematically arranged quotes from various Church Fathers, primarily St. Theophan the Recluse and St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov). In a broader context, a similar compilation of quotes was assembled by St. Theophan the Recluse in his book The Holy Fathers on Prayer and Sobriety.
As for liturgical worship, let us begin with the classic work The Wisdom of Our Salvation by St. Simeon of Thessalonica and The Explanation of the Divine Liturgy by St. Nicholas Cabasilas.
Among educational literature, one might mention The New Tablet—an excellent old textbook used in theological schools.
A fairly well-written description of the Twelve Great Feasts can be found in The Twelve Great Feasts (A Historical and Liturgical Study) by G.S. Bitbunov.
For deeper reflection, the autobiographical works of Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov) are highly valuable. Some of them focus on worship (Heaven on Earth, Reflections on the Twelve Great Feasts, The Kingdom of the Holy Trinity), others on prayer (The Lord’s Prayer), and still others on defending the Orthodox faith (On Faith, Unbelief, and Doubt). His memoirs (God’s People, At the Turn of Two Eras) and hagiographies (The Universal Luminary: St. Seraphim of Sarov, Father John of Kronstadt) are also quite insightful.
Among contemporary authors, we must also mention Priest Georgy Maximov, who excels equally in both apologetics and patrology. Some of his notable books and articles include:
- Are the Torments of Hell Eternal?
- No Salvation Outside the Church
- The Truth About «Orthodox» Evolutionism
- A Gift to a Protestant Friend
- Orthodoxy and Islam
- Orthodoxy and Neopaganism: Where is the Truth?
Another modern writer who combines steadfast adherence to Orthodox teaching with personal experience of deep spiritual life and prayer is Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin). His works include:
- Various collections of essays and interviews on diverse topics (In Search of Truth, The Sea of Life, The Art of Dying, or The Art of Living, etc.)
- Memoirs (On the Path from Time to Eternity)
- Polemical writings (On Origen and Modern Origenism, On Contemporary Neo-Gnosticism, Once More on the Heretical Errors of MDA Professor A.I. Osipov, and others).
His writings reflect both theological precision and profound personal spiritual insight.
If you have a background in neo-Protestantism, it would be helpful to explore materials on sects and schisms, such as Prot. D. Vladykov’s book The Orthodox Church and the Sectarians, as well as general overviews of literature on this topic.
For an initial introduction to the fundamentals of the faith, several works by Priest Daniil Sysoev will be useful:
- The Law of God
- Five Catechetical Talks Before Baptism
- A Course of Lectures on Dogmatic Theology
These texts provide a clear and accessible grounding in Orthodox doctrine.
Priest Evgeny Veselov. Recommended Reading for New Orthodox Christians (A Guidebook) [Online]. Azbuka very. Published April 29, 2025.
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