Books for Lent: Now is the Time to Begin

Manuscript of
The Ladder of Divine Ascent

Dear Students and Friends,

Here is a list of books you can read during your journey through Great Lent. Spiritual reading can keep our hearts and minds close to God and supplement prayer, fasting and alms-giving during this time.

You can earn 2 credits for each book you read from the list below! Simply read the book (how about a chapter or a set number of pages per day--that will help you accomplish your goal!), fill out the General Worksheet for Books (from the Lessons tab, above) and e-mail it back to else10(at)gmail(d0t) com.

Challenge yourself this Lent; read a book! You will be blessed.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent
St John Climacus
Available from Amazon.

Lenten Spring: Daily Readings
Fr Thomas Hopko
Available from Amazon.

Great Lent: Journey to Pascha
Fr Alexander Schmemann
Available from Amazon.

Intercessory Prayer

Dear Students and Friends,

Prayer is an integral part of Great Lent. Not only do we pray to the Lord, we ask the Saints to pray for us, especially at this time of year.

Have you ever wondered why Orthodox Christians ask the Saints for intercession? Or why we pray for the forgiveness and salvation of those who have already passed away? On the Come Receive the Light podcast, Dr. David C. Ford, a professor of church history at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, explains why these practices are Biblical and fully part of the ancient Christian faith.

Listen now.

You can receive one credit for listening to this podcast. Simply listen, complete the Podcast worksheet (available from the Lessons tab, above) and e-mail it back to else10(at)gmail(d0t)com.

Ramping Up to Pascha

 Dear Students and Friends,

We're on a countdown now to Pascha. Here are some podcasts to help us prepare our hearts.

On Theologically Thinking, Fr. Stanley Harakas points us toward Lent through a presentation on the Sundays approaching the Fast, starting with the Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican. 

Listen now.

On Worship in Spirit and Truth, join Dr. Demetrios Katos as he discusses "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand." March marks the beginning of Spring, a period of renewal and a preface to the blessings that we will enjoy in the experience of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The spiritual renewal, however, is not an automatic result of the season it requires some effort.

Listen now.

The Prodigal Son discovered a new beginning through unexpected forgiveness. On Harmony of Thunder, Fr. David Smith describes the way St. Gregory Palamas interpreted this important parable.

Listen now.

You can earn 1 credit for each podcast you listen to. Simply listen, fill out the Podcast worksheet (available from the Lessons tab, above) and e-mail it back to else10(at)gmail.com for credit.

Podcast: Eastern vs Western Easter

Dear Students and Friends,

As we prepare for the beginning of Great and Holy Lent, many of us are already answering questions from non-Orthodox friends and family about why we aren't celebrating Easter on the same date this year. How many of us know the answer?

On the Come Receive the Light podcast, Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Department of Religious Education, Tony Vrame, joins us to explain the reason for the difference in dates and to offer some advice on explaining it to others.

Listen now.

You can earn 1 credit for listening to this podcast. Simply listen, fill out a Podcast worksheet (from the Lessons tab, above) and e-mail it back to else10(at)gmail(dot)com.