Seraphim R. Pardee The Musings of an Orthodox Christian and Software Engineer

Resources

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Hello and welcome to my resources page! Here I’ve collected some various resources and placed them all together in hopes of helping you on your journey to theosis. Provided also is a introduction to Orthodoxy reading list that might help the newcomers looking for what the Church believes and what the Church is (including the history!) If there is anything you think should be on here, shoot me a message!

Fr. Thomas Hopko’s † 55 Maxims

  1. Be always with Christ and trust God in everything.
  2. Pray as you can, not as you think you must.
  3. Have a keepable rule of prayer done by discipline.
  4. Say the Lord’s Prayer several times each day.
  5. Repeat a short prayer when your mind is not occupied.
  6. Make some prostrations when you pray.
  7. Eat good foods in moderation and fast on fasting days.
  8. Practice silence, inner and outer.
  9. Sit in silence 20 to 30 minutes each day.
  10. Do acts of mercy in secret.
  11. Go to liturgical services regularly.
  12. Go to confession and holy communion regularly.
  13. Do not engage intrusive thoughts and feelings.
  14. Reveal all your thoughts and feelings to a trusted person regularly.
  15. Read the scriptures regularly.
  16. Read good books, a little at a time.
  17. Cultivate communion with the saints.
  18. Be an ordinary person, one of the human race.
  19. Be polite with everyone, first of all family members.
  20. Maintain cleanliness and order in your home.
  21. Have a healthy, wholesome hobby.
  22. Exercise regularly.
  23. Live a day, even a part of a day, at a time.
  24. Be totally honest, first of all with yourself.
  25. Be faithful in little things.
  26. Do your work, then forget it.
  27. Do the most difficult and painful things first.
  28. Face reality.
  29. Be grateful.
  30. Be cheerful.
  31. Be simple, hidden, quiet and small.
  32. Never bring attention to yourself.
  33. Listen when people talk to you.
  34. Be awake and attentive, fully present where you are.
  35. Think and talk about things no more than necessary.
  36. Speak simply, clearly, firmly, directly.
  37. Flee imagination, fantasy, analysis, figuring things out.
  38. Flee carnal, sexual things at their first appearance.
  39. Don’t complain, grumble, murmur or whine.
  40. Don’t seek or expect pity or praise.
  41. Don’t compare yourself with anyone.
  42. Don’t judge anyone for anything.
  43. Don’t try to convince anyone of anything.
  44. Don’t defend or justify yourself.
  45. Be defined and bound by God, not people.
  46. Accept criticism gracefully and test it carefully.
  47. Give advice only when asked or when it is your duty.
  48. Do nothing for people that they can and should do for themselves.
  49. Have a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice.
  50. Be merciful with yourself and others.
  51. Have no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath.
  52. Focus exclusively on God and light, and never on darkness, temptation and sin.
  53. Endure the trial of yourself and your faults serenely, under God’s mercy.
  54. When you fall, get up immediately and start over.
  55. Get help when you need it, without fear or shame.

Books

Seraphim P.’s Intro to Orthodoxy Reading List [WIP]

(This list goes from basic to intermediate.)

  • The Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware (you may need to use his secular name, Timothy Ware)
  • The Orthodox Faith (Vol. 1-4) by Fr. Thomas Hopko †
  • The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
  • The Law of God by Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy (this is legally free online)
  • For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy by Fr. Alexander Schmemann †
  • On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit by Saint Seraphim of Sarov
  • The Way of a Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way by Anonymous † (I suggest the R. M. French translation, just ignore the introduction as it’s a bit secular.)

Topical Books

(Introductory but are more essential to read at specific times in the Church Year, read in no specific order.)

  • Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Fr. Alexander Schmemann †

Liturgical Books

(Books that contain Greek/English translations of the liturgy.)

  • The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom by Fr. George Papadeas † (Bilingual Greek/English)
  • Μεγαλη Εβδομας Πασχα / Holy Week – Easter by Fr. George Papadeas † (Bilingual Greek/English)
  • Ο Ακαθιστος Υμνος / The Akathist Hymn by Fr. George Papadeas † (Bilingual Greek/English)
  • The Holy Epiphany Service by Fr. George Papadeas † (English)
  • The GOARCH Digital Chant Stand (formerly AGES Digital Chant Stand) is very useful for showing full bilingual services with all the rubrics filled in for you.

Blogs

Podcasts

YouTube Channels

  • Orthodox Church – various Orthodox-related videos, typically services, hymns, or events (note: it is not an official channel for any church)
  • Y2AM – The Greek Archdiocese of America’s Youth and Young Adult Ministries channel. While pointed to youth and young adults (obv.), the videos are great for everyone of all ages.
  • Bible Illustrated – A wonderful small YouTube channel that reads the Bible and talks about chants, theology, and bad puns by Reader Bojan Teodosijevic.

† – May their memory be eternal.

Seraphim R. Pardee The Musings of an Orthodox Christian and Software Engineer