Diamonds on the Bosphorus By Aliki Kafetzopoulou Published by St Herman Press, 2011. ‘Diamonds on the Bosphorus’ is an historical novel incorporating both fictional and non-fictional characters. The story is set in Constantinople, 400 AD, when Empress Eudoxia was persecuting St John Chrysostom. In the story, there are two followers of St John, Juliana and Nicephorus, aged around 16. They live a simple life practicing the teachings of St John. However towards the end of the novel, there is a big-twist in the storyline, which has a huge impact on their lives, displaying their great love for God. Much inspiration [...]

Lynette’s Hope – the witness of Lynette Katherine Hoppe’s life and death. Compiled and edited by Fr Luke A. Veronis Published by Conciliar Press Ministries, 2008 This book is a profoundly personal insight into the life and death of a devout Orthodox missionary of our time.  Lynette Hoppe was born in Indianna, USA, in 1960 into a protestant missionary family. She completed Bible College and a degree in graphic design. Lynette married Nathan, a protestant missionary. Their conversion to Orthodoxy was miraculous. Interested readers will find more details in a related book “Becoming Orthodox” by Peter Gillquist (reviewed in April-May [...]

The Brothers Karamazov By Fyodor Dostoevsky Published by Bantam Classics; Reissue edition - April 1, 1984. The Brothers Karamazov, as the title suggests, is a story that revolves around a family of three brothers and their wayward father. The story begins with an explanation of the family history that formed the events that take place in the novel, and this introductory section ends with the two older brothers, Ivan and Dimitri, living lives outside of the town of their birth, whereas Alyosha, the youngest brother, has become a novice in the town’s local monastery. The central events in the book [...]

Living the Liturgy by Stanley S. Harakas Published by Light & Life, 1974. Full of meaning and undoubtedly relevant to today’s Christian community, the book “Living the Liturgy” contains the answers to one of the most common dilemmas faced in the Orthodox Faith. This book aims to help many Orthodox Christians who struggle to find the meaning of going to Church and participating in the Divine Liturgy. In the introduction we find out about three keys which open the door to understanding the liturgy. In the first chapter, we find out about the first key which is understanding what the [...]