The Way is the new course introducing the Orthodox Faith from the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies. It draws on the elements of hospitality and human social relations in sharing the Christian faith used in the well known Evangelical programme, the Alpha Course. But it takes a distinctively Orthodox theological approach – for instance on the Liturgy and the sacraments, the Mother of God, the life and structure of the Church and human salvation – and this is integral to the course. The 12 weekly sessions consist of:
- a meal together
- a talk on a central aspect of Christian belief
- free discussion in small groups
- a question and answer session and panel discussion
Here is the introductory video:
The course comes in a boxed set of 5 DVDs and, as well as illustrating teaching, worship and spirituality, includes 12 talks by Metropolitan Kallistos, Professor David Frost (Principal of the Institute) and the late Fr Michael Harper. The talks are:
- The search for faith
- God the Holy Trinty, the “Lover of Mankind”
- Being Human: Fully Alive
- Why did Jesus Come to Us
- Salvation in Christ
- The Holy Spirit
- What on Earth is the Church? Isn’t God enough?
- Living the Faith I – The Divine Liturgy, “Pearl of Great Price”
- Living the Faith II – The Holy Mysteries
- Living the Faith III – The Bible, Prayer and Fasting
- Living the Faith IV – Chrisian Behaviour
- “Heaven on Earth”: Members of the Church and Citizens of Heaven
The story of the course’s development has been fascinating, not only involving the fruits of warm dialogue and friendship between Orthodox and Evangelical Christians in England, but also international support, through World Vision International in Romania, where a similar course aimed at introducing children to the Christian faith has been developed, inspired by the Way. World Vision also generously sponsored the publication of the course in multimedia format.
Fr Mark Woodruff, our Vice-Chairman, representing His Grace the Archbishop of Westminster, attended the recent launch at the Parish Hall of St Botolph, Bishopsgate (home to the London parish of the English Deanery of the Antiochian Orthodox Church), and was presented with a complimentary copy of the course. Professor Frost told Fr Mark as he made the presentation, “It is very important that we can share this new development and achievement with our friends in the Roman Catholic Church because the Church aspires to breathe, as Pope John Paul said, on both its lungs.”
The Way is published by Gazelle Books and can be ordered direct from the publisher. Or it can be ordered from any bookshop ISBN 9781872897103.
We warmly congratulate the Institute on this magnificent resource, which will not only enable the spirituality and teaching of the Orthodox Church to be better known in the UK, now that increasingly its role in Christian life and mission alongside other Churches here is integral to the endeavours and discipleship of all, but it will also be of great value to the deepening and sharing of the faith when used in other Christian traditions.