Publication Reviews
The Power of Sacred Images
“This is a well-organized and comprehensive survey of the human, social, and natural images employed by Saint John Chrysostom to describe the totality of the church. Through these images, Christo arrives at Chrysostom's conception of the church: its origins, relationship to the triune God, and connections with the saints of both covenants, the world, and history in general. The analysis is based more on the Greek texts than on secondary sources and treats all references to Ekklesia in the writings of Saint John Chrysostom.
Within this formidable array of images and themes, the great church father teaches both what the church may be and what it should be-he entwines the ideal with the real. The well translated quotations and paraphrases of Chrysostom's writings add verve to this scholarly monograph. Christo writes from the Orthodox point of view and presupposes some knowledge of Orthodox theology.”
MARGARET A. SCHATKIN, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Boston College
The Consecration of a Greek Orthodox Church According to Eastern Orthodox
Tradition: A Detailed Account and Explanation of the Ritual
“Reverend Christo’s book on the history and the rite of the Orthodox Church’s rite of consecration proved to be a timely and well-written book on the important church service that often is not well-recognized or fully appreciated. In explaining the theology, but especially in revealing how this service is done, he goes to great lengths to show how the Holy Spirit sanctifies and makes prevalent God’s real action and work among the faithful by being invisibly, yet wonderfully present throughout the history of Christendom. He is exhaustive in the historical context of its development, yet makes it really present through the introduction of his parish’s consecration and the relics interred. This will be a welcome edition to this study for students of the topic, yet easy enough for all interests. Congratulations to Fr. Christo for making this accessible to all.” – Fr. John Stavropoulos, Pastor of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, North Carolina
“This book, written in a clear and pleasant style, is neatly divided into two basic divisions: The first part analyzes the two-day ritual of consecration. The author, with meticulous attention to detail, goes over each segment of the ritual, carefully noting the deeper meanings attached to each gesture and action. The second part is a text of the consecration service, which permits one to read and meditate upon the actual words used in the ceremony. The footnotes are plentiful and quite descriptive. They allow even someone unfamiliar with liturgical ritual to understand precisely what is being inferred. It is also evident that the author compiled the index, detailing scriptural reference consecration, with painstaking care.” – Fr. Dennis Listermann-Vierling, Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, Florida
The Edwin Mellen Press
Martyrdom According to John Chrysostom: “To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain”
This unique contribution to the field of Chrysostomian studies is the first undertaking of a nearly exhaustive systematic and objective analysis of Chrysostom's understanding of Christian martyrdom from the original Greek sources. The text adds insight into the powerful, biblically founded and eloquent theology of the late fourth/early fifth century Father of the Church concerning Jesus Christ as the pivotal point of salvation history. Around that center emerge countless martyrs who imitate Christ's Martyrdom on the Cross either by death, asceticism, or other means. The section on holy relics carries special significance for the liturgical scholar. Through Chrysostom's eyes, the manuscript presents an original, objective view on martyrdom as understood by the early Church.
Bishops as Successors to the Apostles According to John Chrysostom: Ecclesiastical Authority in the Early Church
“. . . no better way to cover this matter. . .” - Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople
“. . . presents a clear and thorough understanding of the establishment of the [bishop’s] role. . .” – Very Rev. Archpriest Gerald Ozlanski, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church
The Catholic University of America Press
On Repentance and Almsgiving (Fathers of the Church Patristic Series, Volume 96)
"This volume successfully draws readers' attention to the importance of 'repentance' in Greek theology and ecclesiology. It also sheds new light on 'preaching' as an important activity in the life of the Early Church. . . The precise and concise sketch of the life of Chrysostom in Father Christo's Introduction helps set his sermons in their historical context. . . . This volume is a rich source of spiritual nourishment. Moreover, it is highly recommended for those who are interested in the different ways by which the Church Fathers approached and interpreted the Scripture." (Koinonia: Princeton Theological Seminary Graduate Forum)