The Typikon Decoded: An Explanation of Byzantine Liturgical Practice (Orthodox Liturgy)

... then buy this book.In Orthodox Christianity worship comes first, before any other consideration: customs, church authority or even theology (which is seen, in fact, a form of worship/communion with God in itself). Even the meaning of the word "orthodox" - usually understood as "doctrinal correctness" - actually means "right glorification/worship" (orthos=correct, doxa=glory).It is no accident that Orthodoxy preserves a massive body of liturgical works used throughout the year to form a complete, complex and intricate construction aimed at glorifying the Creator and His works in His people. The amount of liturgical material is so big that approaching it may seem daunting or even frightening to the unprepared.This is where "Typikon Decoded" comes to help: it explains the history of Orthodox liturgical worship as well as its structure as it is today. This book, when accompanied by the yearly Typikon and the other Orthodox liturgical books, brings light and much joy to the one wishing to understand the living Christian Holy Tradition at its best.

Extremely dense and not likely to be of use to the ordinary folk in church but for priests and students a good buy.