WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH? is a multi-part, on-going DVD series of questions and answers about the Orthodox Church — Its Faith and practice. The articles that follow are the narrations for the DVD's, which are written to stand alone as articles/essays.

These essays and the DVD series are intended for general Orthodox education and for use in Orthodox evangelism, to help people who might be encountering Orthodox Christianity for the first time. They are intended as tools for those who are seeking to bring awareness of Orthodoxy to non-Orthodox who might be searching for a fuller Truth than what they so-far have encountered. They are also for use by clergy with Inquirers. Further uses are: to expand the knowledge about Orthodoxy for inquirers and those who are studying to become Orthodox; for prison ministries; for college campus ministries; for Orthodox people who want to learn more about their Faith, or want some help in explaining their Orthodox Faith to non-Orthodox; and for anyone who wishes to learn more about Orthodoxy and/or to spread the fullness of Orthodox Truth. They are also valuable for parish adult classes, including Lenten programs.

In the DVD's that are being worked on, icons, photos and video footage that closely correspond to the text, plus music, will be added to the recorded narrations.

These articles and the coming DVD's are written and produced by FIREBIRD Videos, Audios & Books, an educational ministry of the St. Innocent Monastic Community, Redford, MI.

(1)   "A FIRST INTRODUCTION TO THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH," (a tool for Orthodox evangelism)

Volume 1 in the series, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

This is the first Narration, that doubles as an essay, of a DVD series being made, and is intended especially for use in Orthodox evangelism, to help people who might be encountering Orthodox Christianity for the first time. It is a series of important questions and answers that people are most likely to want to know when they first encounter Orthodoxy.  (click here for complete text)

(2)  WHY DO ORTHODOX CHURCHES LOOK THE WAY THEY DO? An Explanation of the Meaning of the Orthodox Temple's Interior

Volume 2, in the Series, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

When a non-Orthodox person first walks into an Orthodox Christian church or temple, it can be rather overwhelming. We try here to explain and make sense out of some of what you encounter, whether you are a new inquirer or a long-time Orthodox looking to better understand the great treasures of the Orthodox Church. (click here for complete text)

(3)   AN INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WORSHIP: Part 1: The Divine Liturgy
Volume 3 in the series, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

WHAT IS THE DIVINE LITURGY?
When a non-Orthodox person first attends an Orthodox Christian Church Service, it can be rather overwhelming. We will try to explain and make sense out of some of what you will encounter. In this Volume 3 of our series, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?, we will seek to explain the meaning of the most important of the Divine Services — the Divine Liturgy. This is the Service you are most likely to attend first and most frequently, because it is the worship Service done on Sunday mornings. (click here for complete text)

(4)  AN INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WORSHIP: Part 2: Divine Services other than the Divine Liturgy & Sacraments
Volume 4 in the Series, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

In this educational series entitled “What in the World is the Orthodox Church?”, we continue here with the second of the three-part “Introduction to Orthodox Christian Worship Services.”  In this Part 2, we will offer a brief introduction to the Divine Services other than the Divine Liturgy or Sacraments. (In Part 1, we looked at the Divine Liturgy. In Part 3, the Sacraments, or “Holy Mysteries,” and their accompanying Services, will be considered.)  (click here for complete text)