Facing East

To many outsiders, the Eastern Orthodox Church is a closed world, its services thick with incense and its customs largely unfamiliar. Frederica Mathewes-Green, a writer who came to Orthodoxy from an evangelical Protestant background, found a faith that is still very much alive, with splendid ritual and a firm commitment to its principles.

The book is organized around the Orthodox liturgical calendar. Following one full year in a small mission parish, Mathewes-Green traces her family's journey into the church alongside the rhythms of worship that shape the community's days.

Along the way, she shows how an ancient tradition can bring joy and spiritual gifts to people worshiping today. The book suits readers who want an inside look at Orthodox practice, whether they are exploring the faith or curious about how ancient worship fits into modern life.