I am very happy to share news of the publication of a new handbook for the Byzantine Rite, entitled “The Divine Services of the Orthodox Church with Commentary”, authored by three priests and scholars of liturgical theology, Fr Joshua Genig PhD, Fr Lucas Christensen PhD, and Fr Patrick O’Grady PhD. The book is a comprehensive yet accessible catechetical resource, designed to guide both clergy and laity more deeply into the rich theology, symbolism, and spiritual meaning embedded in the Orthodox liturgical cycle, an Eastern hand missal, as it were, with rich catechetical commentary.
- Detailed explanations of each major service (Vespers, Matins, Divine Liturgy, Sacraments, and festal services)
- Patristic commentary integrated with practical pastoral insights
- Sections on how the liturgy forms the Christian life and combats modern secular distractions
- Beautiful liturgical texts, rubrics, and catechetical questions for group study or personal reflection
- Original translation of liturgical texts
The priests who authored it are eager to share this work as a tool for renewal in parishes and for inquirers seeking to understand the heart of Eastern Christian worship.
Among the other contributors to the project are some Roman or Byzantine Catholics, including Brendan Devine, Deacon Trevor Fernandes, and myself. (I wrote most of the essays in one part of the book, the section on the history and significance of the Twelve Great feasts.) Father Robert Taft, SJ, beatae memoriae, one of the great modern scholars of the Byzantine Rite, wrote an endorsement of the project. It is hoped that this book will help to bring about liturgical renewal in both East and West. The book has endorsements of three Orthodox Hierarchs.
The book may be purchased at the following links, in either full-color version or grayscale; all profits from the sale will go toward the priests in their ministry.
.jpg)
.jpg)
“From its opening pages, this book unveils a treasury of wisdom, weaving together the beauty of our liturgical tradition, the depth of patristic theology, and the radiant hope of the Gospel. The authors have crafted a text that speaks not only to the mind but also to the heart, guiding readers toward a deeper communion with the Holy Trinity. Whether addressing the mysteries of the Eucharist, the sanctity of prayer, or the call to virtuous living, this work resonates with the apostolic zeal and pastoral care that define our Orthodox witness.
I am particularly moved by the book’s fidelity to the teachings of the Holy Fathers and its gentle invitation to all—clergy, monastics, and laity alike—to live more fully in the grace of our Lord. It is a rare gift to encounter a text that so harmoniously balances scholarly insight with spiritual warmth, making it an invaluable companion for the sacred liturgy and communal study.” — from a letter of endorsement by Metropolian Jakovos of Mexico, Exarch of Central America and the Carribbean Islands.
