About
OrthoPrax is a comprehensive guide and review resource dedicated to Eastern Orthodox Christians looking to deepen their faith through mobile and web applications. Compiled and periodically updated by an Orthodox Christian blogger, it evaluates apps across several categories relevant to Orthodox practice: liturgical calendars, lives of the saints, daily scripture readings, prayer books, and fasting regulations. Highlighted apps include the Orthodox Calendar app (supporting both Julian and New Calendar systems with daily troparia and kondakia), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Daily Readings app (featuring a glossary of liturgical terms and time-sensitive prayers), and Pray Always! — praised as the top pick for prayer book apps, covering morning, evening, communion, and intercessory prayers. The guide also recommends web resources such as the Orthodox Church in America's website for in-depth saints' biographies and printable variable liturgical texts for Matins, Vespers, and the Divine Liturgy. It caters to Orthodox Christians of all backgrounds — whether on the New or Old Calendar — and offers honest assessments of design, usability, language style (liturgical vs. modern), and feature depth. Ideal for catechumens, inquirers, and lifelong Orthodox faithful who want to maintain a consistent prayer rule, stay connected to the liturgical calendar, and grow in knowledge of the saints using their smartphones or tablets.
Key Features
- Liturgical Calendar Support: Covers both Julian (Old) and New Calendar systems, displaying daily saints, fasting regulations, troparia, and kondakia.
- Daily Scripture & Readings: Apps provide daily scripture passages and lectionary readings aligned to the Orthodox liturgical cycle.
- Prayer Book Apps: Includes recommendations for full Orthodox prayer rule apps covering morning, evening, pre/post-communion, and intercessory prayers.
- Lives of the Saints: Detailed hagiographies for multiple saints each day, with lengthy biographical entries and historical context.
- Printable Liturgical Texts: Links to variable texts for Matins, Vespers, and Divine Liturgy that can be viewed and printed for use in services.
Use Cases
- An Orthodox Christian uses the recommended prayer book app to maintain a consistent morning and evening prayer rule while traveling.
- A catechumen preparing for chrismation uses the daily readings app to follow the liturgical calendar and learn about the saints.
- A parish choir director prints variable liturgical texts from the OCA website to distribute to singers before Vespers.
- An inquirer new to Orthodoxy explores saints' biographies each day to deepen their understanding of the faith's tradition.
- A monastic community evaluates app options to recommend to visitors and parishioners seeking to extend their prayer life beyond the monastery.
Pros
- Comprehensive Coverage: Reviews multiple app categories — calendar, prayer, scripture, saints — giving users a well-rounded toolkit for Orthodox practice.
- Multi-Calendar Support: Addresses both Old and New Calendar traditions, making it useful for Orthodox Christians across different jurisdictions.
- Honest, Practitioner Reviews: Written by an Orthodox Christian for Orthodox Christians, with candid notes on language style, usability, and practical shortcomings.
Cons
- Not a Standalone App: OrthoPrax is a review/guide page rather than a dedicated app itself, requiring users to download third-party apps separately.
- Infrequent Updates: The guide is updated periodically rather than continuously, so some app recommendations may be outdated or unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OrthoPrax?
OrthoPrax is a curated review guide for Eastern Orthodox Christians, recommending the best mobile and web apps for prayer, liturgical calendars, scripture readings, and the lives of the saints.
Which platforms are the recommended apps available on?
Most of the featured apps are available on both iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices. Some resources are also accessible via web browsers.
Does OrthoPrax support both Old and New Calendar traditions?
Yes. The guide highlights apps that support both the Julian (Old) Calendar and the New (Revised Julian) Calendar, including instructions on how to navigate between them.
Are the recommended apps free?
Most apps are free or have a free base version. Some, like the Daily Readings app from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, offer enhanced paid versions with additional features such as a liturgical glossary.
Who is this guide intended for?
The guide is intended for Eastern Orthodox Christians of all backgrounds — catechumens, inquirers, and lifelong faithful — who want to use technology to support their spiritual life and prayer rule.
