Bookstore

Bookstore-- at church, please see Vivian Hartley to purchase a book.

for inquiries, please e-mail matdonna at shaw dot ca


Akathist to the Holy Theotokos, Daughter of Zion

This Akathist, written by Fr. Lawrence Farley and blessed by His Grace Bishop Seraphim for liturgical use within his archdiocese, focuses on the Mother of God. As the introductory essay explains, the city of Zion is a type of the Theotokos, since God dwells in Zion even as Christ came to dwell within the Holy Virgin. This Akathist is an extended meditation upon this typological truth, with the relevant passages of Scripture indicated at the beginning of each Kontakion and Ikos so that the Akathist forms a commentary on Scripture as well. The booklet is spiral-bound to remain open upon a desk when in liturgical use, and includes a full-colour icon of the Theotokos on the cover. The price is $10 which includes postage.

Akathist to Jesus, Light to Those in Darkness

This Akathist, written by Fr. Lawrence Farley and blessed by His Grace Bishop Seraphim for liturgical use within his archdiocese, focuses on Jesus as the Saviour of those in the darkness of grief and distress. As the introductory essay explains, eventually everyone comes to dwell in that darkness, and it is in that time that one is called upon by God to lift up a song of praise as a act of obedience and as a defiance of darkness and despair. The passages of Scripture which form the basis of meditation in each Kontakion and Ikos are indicated, so that the Akathist also forms a spiritual commentary on Scripture.
The booklet is spiral-bound to remain open upon a desk when in liturgical use, and includes a full-colour icon of Christ on the cover. The price is $10 which includes postage.

Liturgical Traditions: Questions Asked by Catechumens about Orthodox Worship

This 34 page booklet contains 16 questions typically asked by catechumens and their answers. Some questions include: How should one dress for Church? Should women wear a veil? What do I do when I first enter the church temple? How and when should I make the sign of the Cross? How do I say prayers at home? The emphasis is on the practical, so that this is a good resource for visitors and inquirers. The cost is $8 which includes postage.

Orthodox Prayer Book

This 145 page prayer book contains the prayers which the Orthodox Christian will need for private use. It includes Morning and Evening Prayers, the Troparia and Kontakia for the Weekly Cycle and for the Feasts, a Supplicatory Service to the Mother of God, an Examination of Conscience for use before Confession, Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion and Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion, the Akathist to our Victorious Lord Jesus, and the Akathist to the Most-holy Theotokos, and other prayers as well. The language is in contemporary English (using “you” rather than “thou”). The book is spiral-bound for easy liturgical use, and contains 2 full-colour icons, of Christ and the Theotokos. The cost is $29 which includes postage.

Available Online
The following three commentaries are available from Conciliar Press at www.conciliarpress.com:

Working from a literal translation of the original Greek, these commentaries examine the texts section by section, explaining the meaning in everyday language. Written from an Orthodox and patristic perspective, they maintain balance between the devotional and exegetical, feeding both the heart and the mind.

The Gospel of Mark: the Suffering Servant

Israel expected the Messiah to be conquering hero who would liberate the Jews from their Roman servitude. But instead, Christ came as a suffering servant to liberate all mankind from slavery to sin. The Gospel of Mark records Christ’s public ministry as journey to the Cross, yet—paradoxically again—as a time of vigorous actin when His miracles astounded the multitudes and His boldness infuriated His foes.

The Epistle to the Romans: A Gospel for All

The apostle Paul lived within a swirl of controversy. False Christians—Judaizers—dogged his every step, slandering his motives, denying his apostolic authority and seeking to overthrow his Gospel teaching. They argued their case loudly, and Paul knew that he must give the literary performance of his life. The result was the Epistle to the Romans, in which he demonstrates the truth of his Gospel—a Gospel for all men—and thereby vindicates his apostolic authority.
Also available at: and at Amazon.ca.

The Prison Epistles: Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon

From the depths of a Roman prison, words of encouragement and instruction flowed from the tongue of the great apostle Paul. Written down by scribes, his words went forth as a series of letters to Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire. The apostle Paul may have been fettered and shackled to Roman guards, but the Word he preached remained unfettered and free. This volume contains commentaries on the epistles to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and to Philemon, which were written while the apostle Paul was in prison.
Also available at: and at Amazon.ca.

Books by Matushka Donna

Seasons of Grace

Why do feasts and seasons matter? There is beauty and grace in the cycle of the church year, but sometimes we don't understand its significance to us. These short yet thoughtful reflections, written in an insightful and sometimes humorous style, will help weave together the great feasts into the fabric of our lives.

The Geography of Prayer

A poetic exploration of the world of prayer. The link above leads to an excerpt from Matushka Donna's poetry chapbook, followed by instructions on how to order.