First published in hardback: Malden, MA ; Oxford : Blackwell Pub. Ltd., 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The pilgrimage of the orthodox through history -- The orthodox sense of tradition -- The doctrine of the Orthodox Church I: the glory of the Lord -- The doctrine of the Orthodox Church II: the economy of salvation -- The holy mysteries and liturgies -- The God-beloved emperor: orthodoxy's political imagination -- Orthodoxy and the contemporary world.

At once a comprehensive study of Eastern Orthodoxy - its historical development and theology - "The Orthodox Church" is also an engaging assessment of Orthodoxy's political role in today's secularized Western world. Scholarly, timely, and always thought provoking, "The Orthodox Church" provides Orthodoxy with the long-awaited voice to engage in a meaningful dialog with contemporary Western culture. This is a major new full length study of the Orthodox Church written by one of the leading Orthodox historians and theologians of the English-speaking world.It is the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Orthodox Church available, providing a detailed account of its historical development, as well as exploring Orthodox theology and culture. It offers an in-depth engagement with the issues surrounding Orthodoxy's relationship to the modern world, including political, cultural and ethical debates. It considers the belief tradition, spirituality, liturgical diversity, and Biblical heritage of the Eastern Churches; their endurance of oppressions and totalitarianisms; and their contemporary need to rediscover their voice and confidence in a new world-order.