About Lives of Saints

If you are considering ordering the two-volume Prologue of Ochrid, be aware that it has been put online in a few places.   You can go check it out and make sure you want to own the hardcopies.   Consider that for the same amount of money you could have 2 volumes from this 14 volume set – which in my opinion is a better investment:

Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church

Volumes I thru XIV

each volume is $55 + $5 shipping = $60

Discounts are offered by some sellers if you purchase the whole set at one time.   Before spending the money on any whole set, maybe ask Fr. Gregory of SKJP for advice.

The Synaxarion collections are good for an overview of the different ways to sanctity from all walks of life.  World-Orthodoxy focuses on the saints who were obedient, guileless and non-judgmental even under unacceptable circumstances, (such as sinful obediences).  Super-corrects focus on confessors who fiercely judged what they see as the graceless enemy heretics.  Not all saints were martyred, many died peaceful holy deaths.  It is good to read a variety, all kinds of saints, and not get focused on one kind only.

Also an important collection of lives is Russia's Catacomb Saints.  This book is out of print for reasons to do with deceitful shameful Church politics.  Please download a copy to help preserve this book, and print out a copy for your home library and parish library. 

http://russiascatacombsaints.blogspot.com