Reading for the Great Fast

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Anyone reading anything special for the Fast? Any recommendations for brushing up on my Eastern spirituality, or for prayer/meditation books?

We live far away from our Byzantine church now šŸ˜¦ so Iā€™m trying to find other ways to fill the void while Iā€™m fasting.
 
I am currently reading ā€œJourney Through the Great Fast: Daily Meditations and Reflection Questionsā€. It is a series of small pieces that literally takes you through the Lenten journey as expressed in the Byzantine tradition and liturgical cycle. The book is published by and available from Eastern Christian Publications. As a Byzantine Catholic, Iā€™m sure you will recognize the names of most of the authors of these segments.

Another excellent book, of Orthodox source, is ā€œGreat Lent: Journey to Paschaā€ by +Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann of blessed memory. I have committed to reading that as well during this yearā€™s Lenten journey.
 
ByzCathCantor said:
I am currently reading ā€œJourney Through the Great Fast: Daily Meditations and Reflection Questionsā€. It is a series of small pieces that literally takes you through the Lenten journey as expressed in the Byzantine tradition and liturgical cycle. The book is published by and available from Eastern Christian Publications. As a Byzantine Catholic, Iā€™m sure you will recognize the names of most of the authors of these segments.

Another excellent book, of Orthodox source, is ā€œGreat Lent: Journey to Paschaā€ by +Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann of blessed memory. I have committed to reading that as well during this yearā€™s Lenten journey.
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Those both look like very good suggestions. Thank you so much!
 
The traditional book for the Great Fast is The Ladder of Divine Ascent šŸ™‚

Not an easy read - but well worth it - IF your SF will permit it
 
I am reading First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty-Day Journey Through the Canon of St Andrew by Frederica Mathewes-Green and the Lenten Spring by Fr Thomas Hopko.
 
I have the First Fruits of Prayer and have read it the past couple years during Lent and I am going to be reading it again this year.
 
I have a three-pronged attack plan:
  • Daily Scripture readings
  • The Church Fathers Lenten Reading Plan: churchyear.net/lentfathers.html
  • ā€œDefeating Sin: Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Foreverā€ by Father Joseph Huneycutt
 
I forgot, I am also reading Job but that is more due to my health than for the Great Fast.
 
Thank you all! Youā€™ve given me enough reading ideas not just for this Lent but for future ones as well šŸ˜ƒ Many blessings for you in your journey to Pascha!
 
Thanks to a friendly wager Iā€™m now reading Mere Christianity and a book to be named later.
 
Nine_Two said:
Yeah, Iā€™ve read bits and pieces before, but never the whole thing. I do enjoy Lewis, and his style, so it wonā€™t be a chore or anything.
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You might find it a bit more of a chore than you think. His style may be familiar to you, but the little nuggets will have you chewing on them, trying to get them.
Enjoy šŸ˜ƒ
 
ByzCath said:
I am reading ā€¦ and the Lenten Spring by Fr Thomas Hopko.
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I looked at the preview online and just ordered it. It looks like a great read for the season ā€“ Thank you for the suggestion.
Dave
 
To add to a couple of suggestions already made, re the Ladder which The Idiot indicates is the classic reading at this time, an option for those who want to work with this teaching but for various reasons not up to reading St. John, Ascending the Heights: A Laymanā€™s Guide to the Ladder of Divine Ascent by Fr. John Mack is a combination of quotes from St. John and commentary by Fr Mack. Sadly this book is not being reprinted. Iā€™ve gotten used copies at a reasonable price in the past tho at the moment none is available. (Our book group has read The Ladder in the past so Fr. Mackā€™s book seemed like an interesting alternative.)

ByzCathCantor mentioned a favorite of mineā€¦ Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by +Fr Schmemann. There is an 8 part series using this book on Ancient Faith Radio ā€œDn. Michael Hyatt teaches through the book Great Lent by Fr. Alexander Schmemann.ā€ Like Great Lent: Journey to Pascha.
 
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