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For Protestants or Catholics seeking to understand Eastern Orthodoxy, the Cross is a good place to start. In the West a multitude of different views sprang up over the last millennium, but Orthodox Christian beliefs have remained unchanged. The contrast between those views is suggested by the two images on the book's cover, showing how differently the meaning of the Cross was understood, East and West.
Two Views of the Cross is a short, focused book, ideal for readers looking to grasp the overall picture (with some passages from Mathewes-Green's more-comprehensive classic, Welcome to the Orthodox Church). This volume adds a new title to Mathewes-Green's long list of helpful books about Eastern Orthodoxy. Looking at the Cross from Western and Eastern perspectives provides a concise introduction to the beautiful, mystical, and sometimes-surprising Orthodox faith.
Praise for Welcome to the Orthodox Church:
"Lucid writing marked by a strong sense of humor, but never escaping from the deepest spiritual realities."
--Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Prof. of History, Baylor University
"Completely accessible, but utterly honest...This is a wonderful book."
--Fr Andrew Louth, Prof. of Byzantine Studies, Durham University
"Few authors can take the mystery, beauty, and often-daunting complexities of Orthodoxy and transform them in such an inviting path of spiritual journey."
--The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, Chancellor, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary
"No one alive today has done more to introduce ordinary Americans to the wonders of the ancient faith than Frederica Mathewes-Green. If not for her, I doubt I would be Orthodox."
--Rod Dreher, Author, Senior Editor & blogger at The American Conservative
About the author
Frederica Mathewes-Green is a wide-ranging author whose work has appeared in such diverse publications as the Washington Post, Christianity Today, Smithsonian, the Los Angeles Times, First Things, Books & Culture, Sojourners, Touchstone, and the Wall Street Journal. She has been a radio and TV commentator, a columnist, book and movie reviewer, records a podcast for Ancient Faith Radio, and was a consultant for Veggie Tales. Frederica is a popular speaker and has been interviewed almost 700 times. She lives with her husband, the Rev. Gregory Mathewes-Green, in Baltimore, MD, where he is pastor and she is the "Khouria" of the parish they founded, Holy Cross Orthodox Church. Their three children are grown and married, and they have 13 grandchildren.
