Light in the Darkness

Explore the Catholic and Orthodox views on the Virgin Mary, existentialism, and eternity in this rich collection of essays shared between a respected Catholic priest and an Eastern Christian scholar.

The history of the Church teems with the richness of conversation. It is conversation that drives theology forward-the disagreements, the common ground, and the grappling together with sacred mysteries that helps each generation encounter ancient, irrevocable truths anew.

Long regarded as warring traditions, Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism have been divided for over a thousand years, since the greatest schism in the history of the Christian movement. Now, two scholars of these traditions come together in a series of essays discussing some of the most important points of difference-and finding surprising common ground.

Rev. David Andrew Fisher is a Catholic priest, and Rev. Bohdan Vasyliv is an Orthodox clergy member-and a former student of Rev. Fisher. Their friendship and thoughtful dialogue form the foundation for an invigorating book that is a strong step forward in healing a long-standing spiritual divide. With essays on the Virgin Mary, existentialism, and contrasting ideas on life after death, Light in the Darkness holds a wealth of conversation that is both encouraging and intellectually invigorating.

This is a book for students of philosophy, theology, and history to recognize the surprising commonalities-and the beauty of diversity-in how divergent traditions have framed answers to ancient questions and transcendent mysteries. It is a book for clergy to find the words and frameworks that will help them heal divides and misconceptions in their communities. And it is a book for any avowed in the life of faith-to know that there is still wonder to be found in what we do not understand.