At the Corner of East and Now

A Modern Life in Ancient Christian Orthodoxy

By: Frederica Mathewes-Green

Narrated by: Frederica Mathewes-Green

A remarkable contemporary tour through the oldest of all Christian faiths by one of America's most distinctive religious voices. A popular commentator for National Public Radio's "All Things Considered"; and a columnist for Christianity Today, Frederica Mathewes-Green is a unique figure in contemporary literature.

In an audiobook eagerly awaited by her growing retinue of fans, she brings listeners inside the world's oldest Christian faith, illuminating Eastern Orthodoxy in a manner similar to Kathleen Norris's exploration of Benedictine spirituality. An ex-hippie and former social radical, the author often writes humorously about her unusual road from Woodstock to the altar of an Orthodox church, where she is the pastor's wife. At the Corner of East and Now, juxtaposes the shifting immediacy of everyday life with the changeless grandeur of Orthodox faith.

Weaving her narrative with stories, essays, and reflections on the Church's 1600-year-old liturgy, Frederica Mathewes-Green critiques contemporary culture through the lens of one who seeks to live by the tenets of an ancient spiritual practice. The author offers an engaging and artistic voice - at times humorous and hands-on, serious and intellectually stimulating. Her supple and highly original style makes for an unforgettable listen.

©1999 Ancient Faith Publishing (P)2010 Ancient Faith Publishing

Excellent Book

I loved this book and the authors narration was wonderful. It was informative while not being overbearing. Highly recommend this as an introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy.

Great content, difficult tone.

The author speaks in a style that is halfway between a whisper and normal. In order to hear all the words you have to cut out all other noise. Turning up the volume won’t fix it. You have to cut out your surrounding noise. Not great for a car.

Comfortable journey through modern Orthodox life

At the Corner of East and Now is available in print, via Kindle, and in audio versions. I received a download of the Audible file for my review. Thank you to Ancient Faith Ministries.
The author, Frederica Mathewes-Green is a Christian Orthodox convert and wife of a priest. She holds a theology degree, has written 10 books, authored countless discourses for the likes of NPR, Christianity Today, and Ancient Faith Ministries as well as other media outlets. She is a frequent flier because of her popularity as a speaker. I find these facts to be intimidating. However, her style and books have been the most welcoming and helpful I have found on my own recent journey to Orthodoxy. She comes across as warm and approachable. This book is anecdotal and includes stories of the people she has met on her travels as well as of her own family and fellow congregants interspersed with reflections of what it is to be Orthodox. This is not a textbook or the first book one should read for an explanation of the traditions of the Orthodox church. It is a pleasant discourse, not a heavy tome of the early church fathers. It is perfect for where I am now, Orthodox for a few years but still wet behind the ears and in need of some comfort food. I can relate to many of the people whom she is telling me about because I have met their counterparts. There are moments when the storyteller in her voice steps aside for the teacher. I had to hit rewind numerous times in order to better absorb what she was explaining to me, for example the cutting of prosphora, the communion bread. My problem with audio books is that I have not found a satisfactory way to underline, highlight and write in the margins. To me this book deserves all of those things, but if I had held a paper book, or downloaded a kindle version I would have missed her voice which was as comforting as the lasagna she talks about in the final chapter.

So encouraging & helpful!!

My family has been learning about church history off and on for several years and just recently made the leap to an Orthodox Church. My question has been, “how is my life going to be different?” Or “how is my thinking going to change as an Orthodox Christian as opposed to being Protestant?” This book is EXACTLY what I was looking for! I loved it so much that I finished listening to it and am listening again.
The history and church fathers and podcasts we have listened to are beautiful but this hits right where I live. Thank you!!!

interesting book, fantastic narration !

I could listen to her narration all day. Of course the topic is highly interesting as well, but I believe she can bring a book to life like no other.