Facing East: A Pilgrim's Journey into the Mysteries of Orthodoxy

Yes, this is an NPR commentator's memoir of the "personal journey" sort, but there's nothing typical in her approach - no awkward exhibitionism, no sense that life is being filtered and processed, turned into cultural commodity. In fact, this reads like a wagon-train tale of a couple driving their children and their future off into an untamed frontier. And that frontier just happens to be- to American eyes, at least - the most mysterious and most radically traditional form of Christianity. An utterly charming inviting read. - Adam

In this memoir, Mathewes-Green describes her family's conversion from Episcopal to Eastern Orthodox. She describes the events of a single year shortly after their conversion. This approach gives readers a good feel for the rhythms of the Orthodox faith, touching on all major feasts of the church as well as introducing a vibrant cast of secondary characters that surround the Mathewes-Green family at their little parish. This book is a good introduction to Orthodoxy for those who are interested in the joys and challenges of a personal story of conversion. Pair it with The Orthodox Church by Ware for a more comprehensive understanding of Orthodox theology.