The Handbook of Orthodox Christianity. Dictionary of Key Concepts with Literary Illustrations

The study of Orthodoxy over many centuries has been an integral part of the life of the Russian people. The Law of God was taught in gymnasiums, real schools, and parish schools, instilling in people love for Christ, compassion for others, and reverence for true spiritual values. This important tradition is supported by "The Handbook of Orthodox Christianity." Formally structured as a dictionary of key concepts, it allows readers to familiarize themselves with the key tenets of Orthodox teaching and can serve as a preliminary guide for independent reading of both the Law of God and the entire Holy Scripture. A distinctive feature of the publication is the abundance of literary illustrations - excerpts from artistic works of Russian poets and writers that vividly comment on and symbolically reveal the content of various terms. The book is aimed at anyone who wishes to learn the basics of Orthodoxy, as well as to believing Orthodox Christians for whom it will serve as a useful reference containing texts of prayers, descriptions of liturgies, and schedules of fasts and Orthodox holidays.