LITURGICAL TEXTS AND HOLY SCRIPTURES
Prayer Corner / Home Altar
The following are recommended copies of the Holy Scriptures, including text only editions, reference editions, and full study editions, presented and bound in a variety of formats. The rest are lists of liturgical books, including prayers books and psalters for your home use, as well as full size clerical books used during the Divine Liturgy by the various orders of clergy if you would like to study the liturgical texts in detail yourself, or wish to have a more elaborate set up at home.
As mentioned, I recommend for the beginner to start with the morning and evening prayers in the back of the Orthodox Study Bible. For the minor hours during the day, my favourite presentation of them is found within the Prayer Book released by New Rome Press for Modern English, or the Prayer Book by Aorist Press for Traditional Liturgical English. However, once you join a certain jurisdiction, it is important to use their specific texts so that you memorize the language common to the services you will be attending (this is especially important if you are ever tonsured as a Reader, the first minor clerical rank on the way to priesthood). Please pay attention to the jurisdiction markings when available (i.e. AOCA, OCA, ROCOR, etc.)
These texts should be part of your Home Altar or Prayer Corner. To learn about how to build one of these, please click here and here. Your Home Altar is the New Covenant fulfillment of the Jerusalem Temple, and an extension of your local Orthodox Church (whose liturgy combines that of both the Temple and Synagogue together). It is literally what Christ meant when He said that there will be a time when people will no longer worship on either Mt. Gerizim or the Temple Mount (John 4:21-23). The fullness of what was once foreshadowed in the Jerusalem Temple and its liturgy is now accessible to all nations and peoples in each Orthodox Diocese under the local Bishop with his Presbyters and Deacons (a fulfillment of Malachi 1:11). Therefore, when you approach either your Home Altar or local Orthodox Parish, you should do so with the idea that you are approaching the Tabernacle or Temple of the Torah, but with an even greater fullness and revelation. The emphasis on iconography is because icons were commanded by God in the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 25:18-20, 26:1, 36:35; 1 Kings 6:23-36), but since Christ plundered hades after His death, the saints of both covenants now take their place alongside the angels, ruling and reigning with Christ in the heavenly tabernacle as part of the Divine Council (Psalm 82:1, 6; Luke 20:35-36; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12). Thus, while the Old Covenant only had depictions of angels in its iconography, the New Covenant includes the saints who have died in Christ as well, and it is therefore an essential Gospel Proclamation.
Similar to the Catechetical Texts on the previous page, the Holy Scripture and Liturgical books listed here are generally presented in an order of beginner to advanced. Please keep that in mind as you browse.
Finally, it should be mentioned that these are your weapons of warfare in the spiritual battle you have been comission to fight, and that your prayer corner is your base of operations (your local Orthodox Temple would be your primary headquarters that you report to). Therefore, the selection and use of these books is no small matter! They are essential tools in the salvation of your soul and the intercession for those around you. Collect them, study them, and use them on a daily basis! The results will be utterly transformative (Romans 12:1-2).
Abbreviation Guide
OCA - Orthodox Church in America (the original American mission of the Holy Orthodox Church)
ROCOR - Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (Russians who escaped the Soviet Union in the diaspora and did not join the OCA)
AOCA - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America (Antiochians who transferred from the jurisdiction of the OCA mission to the Patriarch of Antioch when the Communist revolution took part in Russia and the mission was no longer able to support the Antiochians adequately)
NOTE: This page was last updated on 2026-09-24. Some resources are out of print and will be listed as "currently unavailable", but I have retained the original links to them in the hopes that they may be reprinted. If free digital copies are available for any of the below products, they will be linked to in either PDF or HTML format directly beside the link for the print edition.
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THE HOLY SCRIPTURES - Text, Reference, and Study Editions
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English Standard Version with Apocrypha (ESV-A)
SPCK Text Edition (Cloth Hardcover)
SPCK Text Edition (Leatherette Hardcover)
Anglican Liturgy Press Deluxe Pew Bible Text Edition (Deluxe Hardcover)
Cambridge Diadem Reference Edition with Apocrypha (Hardcover)
Cambridge Diadem Reference Edition with Apocrypha (Calfsplit or Calfskin Leather Options)
Schuyler ESV Quentel with Apocrypha (Calfskin or Goatskin Leather, and Personal Size or Full Size Options)
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The Orthodox Study Bible
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-New Testament and Psalms Edition-
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Hardcover Edition
Genuine Leather Edition
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-Full Edition-
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Nelson Hardcover Edition
Nelson Black Bonded Leather Edition
Nelson Red Genuine Leather Limited Edition
Ancient Faith Hardcover Edition
Ancient Faith Leathersoft Edition
New Nelson Leathersoft Edition
New Nelson Genuine Leather Edition
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Modern English Septuagint and Orthodox New Testament (LES and EOB)
Lexham English Septuagint (LES) (Hardcover)
Eastern Orthodox Bible (EOB) Old Testament (In Progress) - (PDF of 2007 Draft)
Eastern Orthodox Bible (EOB) New Testament Softcover - 2011 Second Edition - (PDF)
Eastern Orthodox Bible (EOB) New Testament Softcover - 2026 Third Edition
Eastern Orthodox Bible (EOB) New Testament Hardcover - 2026 Third Edition
Newrome Press EOB-NT Pocket Edition (NT without Appendices)
New Rome Press LES-EOB Reader's Edition (Codex Size)
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Traditional Liturgical English Septuagints and The Orthodox New Testament (Holy Apostles Convent)
The Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Brenton (Hardcover One Volume) - (Online)
The Holy Orthodox Bible by Peter A. Papoutsis - (Logos)
The Septuagint by Michael Asser (Six Volumes) - (PDF)
The Orthodox New Testament (HAC) Pocket Edition (One Volume Text Only)
The Orthodox New Testament (HAC) Vol.1 - The Gospels with Commentary (Full Size)
The Orthodox New Testament (HAC) Vol.2 - Acts, Epistles, and Revelation with Commentary (Full Size)
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LITURGICAL BOOKS
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Ancient Faith Store
The Ancient Faith Prayer Book (Burgundy Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Prayer Book (Green Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Prayer Book (Deluxe Leatherette) (currently unavailable)
The Ancient Faith Psalter (Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Psalter (Large Print Paperback)
The Ancient Faith Psalter (Deluxe Leatherette) (currently unavailable)
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St. Ignatius Orthodox Press / Legacy Icons Compact Liturgical Set
Pocket Prayer Book (currently unavailable)
Anthologion Prayer Book
Orthodox Lectionary Bible
The Holy Gospel (EOB)
The Holy Apostle (EOB)
The Holy Psalter
The Prophetologion
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New Rome Press
Orthodox Christian Prayer Book (Full Size)
Orthodox Christian Prayer Book (Pocket Size)
Orthodox Christian Prayer Book (Travel Edition)
Light of the World: Prayers to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Mother of Light: Prayers to the Theotokos
The Liturgikon: Greek and English (Analogion Size)
Divine and Sacred Gospel: English Only Edition (EOB - Altar Size)
Divine and Sacred Gospel: Greek and English (EOB - Altar Size)
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Antiochian Village / House of Studies (AOCA)
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-The Basics-
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A Pocket Prayerbook for Orthodox Christians: Second Edition Paperback
A Pocket Prayerbook for Orthodox Christians: Third Edition Leatherette
The Divine Liturgy: Paperback
The Divine Liturgy: Coil (Bilingual)
Western Rite Service Book (currently unavailable)
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-Special Services-
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Services of Initiation (currently unavailable)
The Services of Initiation (AHOS)
The Mystery of Holy Matrimony (AHOS)
The Service of Holy Unction (currently unavailable)
Funeral Service Book
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-Clerical and Temple Books-
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The Service Book of the Holy Orthodox Church (Hapgood) - (Free PDF)
Divine Prayers and Services (Nassar)
Hieratikon A: The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom with Complete Services and Appendices (AHOS)
The Liturgikon: Service Book for Priest and Deacon
Services of Great and Holy Week and Pascha (currently unavailable)
The Prophetologion - (PDF)
The Book of the Epistles
The Divine and Holy Gospel Book (currently unavailable)
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St. Andrew's Lancelot Press (Western Rite)
St. Ambrose Prayer Book
The Book of Common Prayer
The Monastic Diurnal
Monastic Breviary Matins
General Rubrics of the Monastic Breviary
The Hymnal Noted - Ancient Hymns with Gregorian Chant
Saint Dunstan's Plainsong Psalter - Chanted Psalms for Worship
Ritual Notes: Ninth Edition
Saint Austin's Plainsong Missal: The Rites of Holy Week
Saint Austin's Plainsong Missal: Trinitytide
Saint Austin's Plainsong Missal: The Proper of the Saints
The American Altar Missal - Comprehensive Liturgical Resource
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Other Western Rite Books
The Saint Ambrose Hymnal
The Saint Colman Prayer Book
The Liturgy of Saint John The Divine: The Original Orthodox Liturgy of the British Isles
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St. Tikhon's Monastery Press / SVS (OCA)
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-The Basics-
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Orthodox Christian Prayers: Essentials Edition
Orthodox Christian Prayers: Standard Edition
Orthodox Christian Canons and Prayers (currently redacted)
Service Book of the Faithful: Vespers, Matins, and Divine Liturgy
The Holy Psalter: Pocket Edition
Essentials of Orthodox Christian Belief (Free PDF)
The Prologue of Ochrid: Lives of Saints, Hymns, Reflections, and Homilies for Every Day of the Year - (HTML - Current Day)
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-Special Services-
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Baptism
Service for the Reception of Converts
If We Confess Our Sins: Preparation and Prayers
Holy Matrimony
For the Sick and Suffering
Panikhida & Funeral Service Book
Matins (currently unavailable)
Great Vespers
The Services of Christmas - The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Forgiveness Sunday Vespers
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
The Feast of Palms
The Bridegroom Services of Holy Week
Vespers of Holy Friday
Holy Friday Matins
Matins of Holy Saturday
Great and Holy Saturday
The Paschal Service
The Vespers of Pascha
The Vespers of Pentecost
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-Clerical and Temple Books-
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Common Book of Church Hymns: Great Vespers
Common Book of Church Hymns: Sunday Matins (currently in progress)
Common Book of Church Hymns: Divine Liturgy
The Festal Menaion - (PDF) (print edition currently unavailable)
The Lenten Triodion - (PDF)
The Lenten Triodion Supplement - (PDF) (print edition currently unavailable)
The Holy Week Services (currently in testing phase)
The Holy Psalter: Full Size Edition
The Great Book of Hours (currently in production)
The Hieratikon Vol I: Office Book for Priest and Deacon
The Hieratikon Vol II: Liturgy Book (Liturgical English)
The Hieratikon Vol II: Revised Version (Modern English)
The Hieratikon Vol II: Altar Size
An Abridged Typicon
The Small Book of Needs: Third Edition (currently in production)
The Great Book of Needs Volume 1: The Holy Mysteries (reprint currently in production) - (PDF)
The Great Book of Needs Volume 2: The Sanctification of the Temple (reprint currently in production) - (PDF)
The Great Book of Needs Volume 3: The Occasional Services (reprint currently in production) - (PDF)
The Great Book of Needs Volume 4: Services of Supplication (reprint currently in production) - (PDF)
The Synaxarion: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church
The Holy Apostol (currently in testing phase)
The Holy Gospel (currently in testing phase)
The Archieratikon
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-Other Liturgical Books-
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The Holy Apostol PDF (Revised KJV - Aorist-STM 1st Edition)
The Holy Gospel (KJV)
The Holy Gospel (NKJV)
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-Aorist Press / Old STM Revised Liturgical English-
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Orthodox Daily Prayers, Hours & Typica
The Liturgical Psalter
The New Kliros Library for Choir and Reader
The Horologion: Book of Hours (Old STM)
The Divine Liturgies: Altar Size (Old STM)
The Parish Book of Needs
The Holy Apostol: 3rd Edition - (4th Edition currently in production)
The Holy Gospel (currently in production)
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Holy Trinity Monastery / St. John of Kronstadt Press (ROCOR)
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-The Basics-
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Jordanville Prayer Book
A Psalter for Prayer: Pocket Edition
Prayer Book and Psalms: Pocket Edition
Spiritual Psalter of St. Ephrem the Syrian
The Law of God: For Study at Home and School - (Old Edition)
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-Special Services-
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The Order of Holy Baptism
The Order of Small Compline and Evening Prayers
The Rule for Holy Communion: Canons, Order of Preparation, and Prayers After Holy Communion
The Order of Holy Matrimony: Translated from the Book of Needs
The Order of Moleben and the Panakhida
The Funeral Service of the Laity
Book for the Commemoration of the Living and the Dead
The Great Canon: The Work of St. Andrew of Crete
The Twelve Passion Gospels
Service, Akathist, Life, and Miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
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-Clerical and Temple Books-
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A Psalter for Prayer: Full Size Edition
The Book of Akathists Volume I
The Book of Akathists Volume II
Liturgical Music Books
The Octeoechoes - (PDF)
The Menaion A - (HTML)
The Menaion B - (HTML)
The Pentecostarion - (PDF)
The Unabbreviated Horologion or Book of the Hours - (PDF)
The All Night Vigil for Choir and Laity
The Divine Liturgy for Choir and Laity
Clergy Service Book: The All Night Vigil
Clergy Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Parallel Service Book: The All Night Vigil
Parallel Service Book: The Presanctified Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints Gregory the Dialogist
Parallel Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints John Chrysostom
Parallel Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints Basil the Great
Parallel Service Book: The Divine Liturgy of Our Fathers Among the Saints James the Brother of the Lord
The Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil - Full Size Altar Edition
The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of St. Gregory
Molieben Series
The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints
Classic Orthodox Bible
Prophetologion
Lenten Lectionary
Epistle Book
Gospel Book
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Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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-The Basics-
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Pocket Prayer Book
Pocket Hours
Pocket Psalter
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-Clerical and Temple Books-
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Full Size Psalter - (HTML)
Horologion Vol. 1 - (HTML - Current Hour)
Horologion Vol. 2 - (HTML - Current Hour)
Octoechos
Menaion
Triodion
Holy Week
Holy Week and Pascha (English)
Pentecostarion
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-Other-
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Ladder of Divine Ascent
Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian
Symeon of Emesa, Saint
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Holy Apostles Convent / Dormition Skete
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-The Basics-
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Orthodox Prayer Book
The Psalter (Pocket Size)
The Orthodox New Testament (Pocket Size)
The Teachings of the Holy Orthodox Church
Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph
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-Clerical and Temple Books-
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The Orthodox Psalter: Psalterion with Commentary (Full Size)
The Orthodox New Testament with Commentary Vol. 1: The Holy Gospels (Full Size)
The Orthodox New Testament with Commentary Vol. 2: Acts, Epistles, and Revelation (Full Size)
The Great Synaxaristes (14 Volumes)
The Apostolos: Epistle Lectionary (Altar Size) - (HTML - Current Hour)
The Evangelion: Gospel Lectionary (Altar Size) - (HTML - Current Hour)
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-Other-
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The Life of the Virgin Mary, The Theotokos
The Lives of the Righteous Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
The Lives of the Holy Apostles
The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian: Homilies for the Great Fast
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-Out of Print Special Collections (now part of The Great Synaxaristes)
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The Lives of the Holy Prophets
The Lives of the Saints of the Holy Land and Sinai Desert
The Lives of the Three Great Hierarchs
The Lives of the Pillars of Orthodoxy
The Lives of the Spiritual Mothers
The Lives of the Holy Women Martyrs
