The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware is a clear, detailed introduction to the Orthodox Church written for the non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians who wish to know more about their own tradition. Since its first publication more than 30 years ago, Ware's book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. In this newly revised and updated edition he explains the Orthodox views on such widely ranging matters as the ecumenical councils, sacraments, free will, purgatory, the papacy, and relations between the different Orthodox churches. In part 1 he describes the history of the Eastern church. In part two he explains the beliefs and worship of the Orthodox Church today. He discusses the possibility of reunion between East and West and in this new edition he discusses the situation confronting Eastern Christians since the collapse of communism.
Timothy Ware (b. 1934), also known as His Grace, the Right Reverend Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia, is an auxiliary bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United Kingdom. From 1966 to 2001, he was Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at Oxford University, and has authored numerous books and articles pertaining to the Orthodox Christian faith.
