Mathewes-Green opens up “The Gospel of Mary” to see her early life, offering a window into her centrality to the Christian Faith in new and sometimes startling ways. Christians have alternatively raised the status of the mother of Jesus to that of her Son or ignored her entirely. Behind all of the images is a girl who grew up to be the mother of Christ.

• How did the first Christians view her?
• What were the commonly understood facts about the Blessed Mother’s early life, before the Annunciation?
• How did Mary, the mother of Jesus, become the Theotokos?

This book gives some surprising insights.

Mary: The Untrodden Portal of God Author: Gabriel, George S. Publisher: Zephyr Publishing

Mother of Christ: The Mother of God Author: Bakoyannis, Vassilios Publisher: Orthodox Book Centre

O Full of Grace, Glory to Thee Author: Igumen Gregory (Zaiens)

This publication, although brief, gives to the reader a magnificent portrayal of the holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. It is a most impressive biographical sketch of the one, unique person who became the pure and holy vessel through whom God entered into His creation to make it eternally divine. The author, following a chronological path from the birth of the holy Mother of God through her earthly life, and using historic sources and services, bridges the three hundred year period wherein there was no New Testament and proceeds down through the centuries to the present clay. Whether deliberate or not, the author brings to our attention the fact that we cannot recognize the uninterrupted continuity of the Church without the person of the Ever-Virgin Mary, our mother. Consequently the reader of this book will realize the significance of the divinely inspired words coming from her when she said, “Henceforth, all generations will call me blessed.” In this publication we see in her the love of God, the God of extreme humility who recognized Himself in the total humility of the holy Theotokos.

Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Metropolis of Denver

On the Mother of God – Jacob of Serug Author: Hansvury, Mary trans. Publisher: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press

On the Person of Christ: The Christology of Emperor Justinian Author: Wesche, Kenneth P. trans. Publisher: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press

Orthodox Christian Beliefs: Real Answers to Real Questions from Real People Author: Harakas, Stanley Samuel Publisher: Light & Life Publishing

PROTOPRESBYTER Michael Pomazansky’s Orthodox Dogmatic Theology has long been regarded as a standard source of Orthodox theology. Since its publication in Russian in 1963, it has been used as the main theology textbook at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, New York; and since the publication of the first English edition in 1983, it has come to be regarded throughout the English-speaking world as one of the best introductory books on Orthodox theology. Written clearly, simply and concisely, this modern-day classic is accessible not only to theology students but to the contemporary layman in general. As one deeply rooted in the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Fr. Michael quotes abundantly from the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers, being concerned to present, not human opinions, but Divine Revelation, which has been handed down to us as the Church’s certain, unchanging teaching.
“In the writings of Fr. Michael Pomazansky, one may see a characteristic of genuine Orthodox theology that is so often lost sight of in our cold, rationalistic age. Theology is not primarily a matter of arguments, criticisms, proofs and disproofs; it is first of all men’s word about God, in accordance with the Divinely revealed teaching of Orthodoxy. Therefore, its first purpose and intent is always to inspire, to warm the heart, to lift one above the petty preoccupations of earth in order to glimpse the Divine beginning and end of all things and so to give one the energy and encouragement to struggle towards God and our heavenly homeland…

“Fr. Michael’s theology is in this warm-hearted and inspiring tone. He is not the only one to write Orthodox theology with this intent today, but he is one of the few, in an older generation that is fast vanishing, who can serve as a link between us and the genuine theology of the Holy Fathers— Orthodox Dogmatic Theology is his masterpiece.” —Hieromonk Seraphim Rose

Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky (1888-1988) graduated from the Kiev Theological Academy in 1912. Afterwards he labored as a missionary priest and as a teacher both in Russia and abroad, while at the same time writing for numerous Orthodox journals. From 1950, he taught Dogmatic Theology, Greek and Church Slavonic at Holy Trinity Seminary in New York. He continued teaching and writing theological works into his nineties, and reposed just days short of his hundredth birthday.

Hieromonk Seraphim Rose (1934—1982), the translator and original editor of the English edition, was an American convert to the Orthodox faith who labored as a priest-monk, writer, publisher and missionary in the mountains of northern California. Today he is one of the best-loved spiritual writers in Russia and Eastern Europe

Orthodox Faith and Life in Christ Author: Popovich, Father Justin Publisher: Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies