Introductory Orthodox texts for translation

[Jonathan Michael]

Hello everyone,

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place because I'm actually looking suggestions for specific texts rather than discussion about one particular text. Anyway.

The church in Beijing does a lot of good work translating prayers and liturgical texts from Russian (mainly) into Chinese. However, while the prayers are a veritable treasure chest, the Liturgical texts don't get much use due to Chinese citizens on the mainland being barred from attending Orthodox churches. Because of this, I think it might be more useful to make some translations of introductory texts to Orthodoxy and the Orthodox mind-set that can be read privately.

I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions for clear, accessible, English texts to Orthodox Christianity. Both texts aimed at non-Christians and at Christians from other confessions are welcomed; Chinese Protestant Christians are quite common here, the groups they belong have teaching heavily biased towards substitutionary atonement and sola-Scriptura if that gives anyone a clearer idea. Shorter texts that focus on specific subjects are preferred. I have a copy of Mystery of Faith by Bishop Hilarion Aleyev and believe the indivudual chapters and sub-chapters could be adapted for translation pieces.

Many thanks in advance.

[Misha]

Οn line TV in chinese from the greek-orthodoxy missionary fr Jonas Mourtos,in Taiwan
http://www.mogulus.com/ecclesia

the web site of the same mission with a treasure of orthodox knowledge.

http://www.theology.cn/

[Father David Moser]

The church in Beijing does a lot of good work translating prayers and liturgical texts from Russian (mainly) into Chinese. However, while the prayers are a veritable treasure chest, the Liturgical texts don't get much use due to Chinese citizens on the mainland being barred from attending Orthodox churches. Because of this, I think it might be more useful to make some translations of introductory texts to Orthodoxy and the Orthodox mind-set that can be read privately.

I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions for clear, accessible, English texts to Orthodox Christianity. Both texts aimed at non-Christians and at Christians from other confessions are welcomed; Chinese Protestant Christians are quite common here, the groups they belong have teaching heavily biased towards substitutionary atonement and sola-Scriptura if that gives anyone a clearer idea.

I have two suggestions for you. One, as a source for texts you might look at the website established by Bishop Alexander Mileant (http://www.fatheralexander.org/) of blessed memory which has articles in English, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese. Many of these articles are basic catechetical materials originally written by Bp Alexander to address the mass of unchurched Russians who found their way into the Russian Churches in the diaspora. The website has grown far beyond that original core of articles, but the basic truths of Orthodoxy in simple language has always been an underlying theme.

Secondly I would suggest that you contact Fr John Whiteford (frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com) of the St Jonah of Manchuria parish (http://www.saintjonah.org/) in Spring Texas, USA. He has produced some translations of Orthodox materials into Chinese (his wife is Chinese) already and would most likely be willing to cooperate with your efforts. He has also published a very good work on the doctrine of sola scriptura which he doubltless be would be willing to give permission to have translated.

Fr David Moser

Fr David Moser

[Yuri Zharikov]

Fr. Damascene Christensen from St. Herman of Alaska monastery in Platina has made several missionary trips to China and he may be a good person to contact. You can do this through the website http://www.stherman.com/

[Jonathan Michael]

Hello Yuri,

I have actually distributed books in Chinese by Heiromonk Damascene - one notably called "Who is Jesus Christ?" Thank you for more information on the author.

Fr David and Misha,

Thank you also for your suggestions. The websites you have given are very large, and I will reply further after looking through them more thoroughly, but I'd like to thank you now for the help you've given me.