Rating: 
Summary: The words of a Saint: extremely valuable.
Review: I can't say enough good things about this book. First of all, it was written by one of the most pious men of the 20th Century, St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco. I recommend it to the three major forms of Christianity: Orthodox, Catholic & Protestant because it sets forth the Orthodox Church's understanding of Mary and cleary shows how their views of her are unique. For Orthodox, it outlines the Church's belief and serves as a good, concise explanation. I think it would be particularly valuable for Catholics & Protestants to read though. For Protestants so they don't confuse the Catholic teachings with the lesser known (in the west) Orthodox teachings. For Catholics because they will see why the Orthdox don't believe in certain Catholic teachings on Mary. This book isn't at all meant to be a theological debate book, or one that is intended to divide people. It is written out of love for the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God and the love of Truth. It seeks to unite and enlighten all. Its short length is also a plus. Its warth and simplicity is quite refreshing too. A highly recommended volume.
Rating:
Summary: The words of a Saint: extremely valuable.
Review: I can't say enough good things about this book. First of all, it was written by one of the most pious men of the 20th Century, St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco. I recommend it to the three major forms of Christianity: Orthodox, Catholic & Protestant because it sets forth the Orthodox Church's understanding of Mary and cleary shows how their views of her are unique. For Orthodox, it outlines the Church's belief and serves as a good, concise explanation. I think it would be particularly valuable for Catholics & Protestants to read though. For Protestants so they don't confuse the Catholic teachings with the lesser known (in the west) Orthodox teachings. For Catholics because they will see why the Orthdox don't believe in certain Catholic teachings on Mary. This book isn't at all meant to be a theological debate book, or one that is intended to divide people. It is written out of love for the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God and the love of Truth. It seeks to unite and enlighten all. Its short length is also a plus. Its warth and simplicity is quite refreshing too. A highly recommended volume.
Rating: 
Summary: Marian devotion Orthodox style
Review: If anyone has read any of my previous reviews they are probably a little perplexed over the high rating I gave this book, especially after I was so critical in my reviews of Scott Hahn's book, Hail, Holy Queen, and Fulton Sheen's book, the World's First Love. The reason why I have given this book a higher rating is because I actually agree with much that was said, and I believe the Orthodox have avoided the extreme elevation that many Catholics have granted to Mary. That being said, I would like to analyze the arguments presented in this book and state why I believed many of them were valid. First, many of the arguments presented in this book aimed at defending the Theotokos are arguments that evolved very early in Church history. In fact, many of the things discussed in this book, Mary's perpetual virginity, and her definition as the Theotokos were doctrines that were readily accepted by the Reformers. Therefore, many of the things argued for in this book are not alien to Protestant teaching, but were in fact inherent in Protestant teaching and weren't eschewed until centuries later. I believe that the arguments made in this book that Mary was a perpetual virgin and that Jesus' brothers were step-brothers from a previous marriage of Joseph is not only a substantive argument, but makes sense of the Scriptural data provided. Second, I believe that the idea that Mary is the Theotokos is not only valid but is also a valid development obtained from Scripture. The problem with most arises when this term is translated into the Mother of God which is a loose translation, but is more accurately rendered as she who gave birth to God. The Orthodox regularly refer to Mary by her title Theotokos, and only usually translate it as Mother of God for convenience in dialogue with Western Christians. I am firmly convinced that anyone who objects to such a title is objecting to the idea that Christ was both fully human and fully divine, and is therefore either Nestorian or some other form of unorthodox Christian. In fact, as far as the Eastern Orthodox are concerned the only Mariological dogma taught within the Church is that Mary is truly the Theotokos. This is certainly not a hard idea to accept since it is 100% true. I believe this book is also truthful because Father John truthfully presents why the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception is unscriptural and dangerous because of the way it elevates the Mother of God. If Mary was immune from original sin, than she could not sin out of necessity and not because she chose not to sin. Therefore, the idea of the sinlessness of Mary becomes a theological necessity. In addition, the assumption of the Virgin becomes a necessity because if Mary was free from original sin and not subject to the divine punishment of death, than she could not die and had to be assumed by God into heaven. Furthermore, such a doctrine totally destroys the idea of Mary's cooperation with God in giving full agreement to be God's vessel to bring Jesus into the world. If Mary was immaculately conceived and free from all sin than she had to submit to God's request by necessity and not by choice. Therefore, Mary's obedience to God is decreased in significance and elevating Mary to such a high position is done because she is so different from humanity by nature, and not by choice, submission and obedience. The reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the question of the assumption. I am glad the Orthodox have not defined this doctrine as a matter of faith like the Catholic Church has done. The assumption is a teaching I don't have a problem with in essence, but which I don't readily accept since it is not contained in Scripture and belongs more in the realm of a Church tradition. I understand how one can believe in such an idea and I can rationalize it in my own mind, but I am not fully convinced of it's truthfulness. Overall, I think this is a wonderful little book and gives a brief description as to why Marian devotion is a logical addition to Christological devotion.
Rating:
Summary: The Worth of the Icons
Review: Like any good academician, I was reading this book to get information. My two year old son walked up to me, took the book out of my hands, and kissed the Icon on the cover. Then he held the book up to my lips so that I could kiss the Icon, too. His understanding of the book was greater than mine. This book has good information. But it has Icons, too.
Rating:
Summary: The Worth of the Icons
Review: Like any good academician, I was reading this book to get information. My two year old son walked up to me, took the book out of my hands, and kissed the Icon on the cover. Then he held the book up to my lips so that I could kiss the Icon, too. His understanding of the book was greater than mine. This book has good information. But it has Icons, too.
Rating:
Summary: Clarity, concise, and true.
Review: St John of Shanghi and San Francisco, a Saint of the Church (Eastern Orthodox) and of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russian (ROCOR or ROCA) writes with clarity, is concise and writes true about the Theotokos (literally God-bearer), and how Christians (Eastern Orthodox) venerate her. The Triune God is key in everything in Orthodoxy - and her role in accepting the Archangel Gabriel's message fully and willingly brought forth the God-Man - God and Man, the true Prototype of what each of us is intended to be, and can become. This book is essential in clarifying issues that are confusing to those coming into the Church from christian organizations who may have held heretical views without realizing the full impact of such. Among people, there is an expression, "Behind every great man stands his mother" - and there is certainly truth in that.
Rating:
Summary: The Theotokos and the People of God
Review: St. John Maximovitch (1896-1966) of the Russian Orthodox Church does an amazing job in writing a book for the laymen, wether young adult or adult, tecaher or student, on the veneration of Mary, the Mother of God. He effectively deals with why Mary is called the Mother of God and the Nestorius controversy which climax at the Third Ecumenical Council and why denying Mary has Mother of God (Theotokos) also denies the full humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ.
He also deals effectively with the ever-virgin position as espoused by the Orthodox Church and he does so using scripture and building a concise and logical argument (ch. 3).
He also speaks to the dangers of putting more on Mary than is revealed in the sriptures and early Church history. He speaks to the errant teaching of sophia/marianism as espoused by a minority of Orthdoox Chrsitians such as Sergei Bulgakov aswell as the errant teachings of Latin/Rome theolgy of c0-reemptress. Of course, much of the book, by teaching what Orthodox affirm about Mary, counter the gregious erros of Prottetsant theologies about Mary and their lack of following the Biblical mandate.
While I do have some minor disagreements with the presentation of the material and not citing enough sources, this book works extermely well as a work to aid teh Orthodox Christian in learning more about Christ, Mary and why blessing her is important and how to give one's who do not understand Marian doctrine an answer.
Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed
Review: St. John Maximovitch was a truly special figure in the 20th century Orthodox Church. He bore his sufferings with love and patience. To this day his memory and relics are venerated. Father Seraphim Rose was a man of great intellect and passion whose works continue to challenge and engage. These men were powerful and unapologetic advocates of Orthodoxy . The combined effort of these two holy men merits, and perhaps even demands, one's time and careful consideration.
Rating:
Summary: A monumental treatise
Review: This book is truly a treasure for all Christians, especially those desiring to come to a closer understanding and relationship with our Mother. St. John not only expounds upon the orthodox beliefs and doctrine concerning the Theotokos, he also argues against the doctrines that have developed about her that are not orthodox, namely, the Immaculate Conception. This book is a joy to read, largely because it is so spritually refreshing -- in my opinion, one cannot find a better book to begin an understanding of our Mother. After finishing this great book, one cannot help but feel the embrace of our loving and gracious Mother who will be with us always.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful explanation of the veneration of the Theotokos
Review: This holy man, St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco and Shanghai, has given us a wonderful explanation of the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the historic Orthodox Church. He explains that to not honor the Mother of God is to not honor the Lord Jesus Christ, giving examples in history of anti-Christian sects who have attempted to sway people from Jesus Christ by dishonoring His Mother. He also explains that certain doctrines added to the Christian faith by the Roman Catholic Church, such as the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, though intended to give honor to Mary, actually dishonor her. Finally, he gives a thorough explanation of the place of the Holy Virgin in Christ's Church and why it is important to give honor to the "highly favored one" (Luke 1:28). May the most holy Mother of God save us by her prayers!
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