Practical Resources for Living the Orthodox Faith
We have a number of wonderful Saints celebrated this month, many of which are considered Modern Saints, canonized in the last hundred years. In this guide you will find information for each of these saints along with activity suggestions and additional reading opportunities.
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Hello JULY! Summer time is in full swing! We have a number of wonderful Saints celebrated this month, many of which are considered Modern Saints, canonized in the last hundred years. I find those saints particularly fascinating, largely because Sainthood was possible for them in our modern world. I remember the first time I saw a black and white photo of St Elizabeth the New Martyr, and then I saw her icon - which looked nearly identical to her photo. It blew my mind! Of course I realize that Saints were ordinary men and women, but there is something about seeing a photo of the person that brought it down to earth in a new way, and encouraged me. Sainthood is attainable even in the 21st Century, with God’s help!
In addition to the Modern Saints, we also see a few, dare I say, famous saints celebrated this month! I can’t wait to share more about each of them as a way of encouraging, educating and inspiring you to bring these Saints into your homes and lives. I have narrowed down this list to only 7 saints, even though there are a number of additional notable Saints celebrated in July (St Anna’s repose, St Maria of Paris, etc). I wish I could cover all of the wonderful Saints, for they are all worthy of veneration and special celebration, but for the sake of simplicity and time, I present to you these well-beloved saints for the month of July!
Draw Near Designs is selling a collection of 5 Paterikon books for your family to enjoy as you journey through the month and celebrate the feast days of these various saints! My family and I purchased this set and I’m thankful to have some resources on hand right at the beginning of the month! Easy peasy planning + fast shipping! This 5 book set costs $20, which is a STEAL! Click HERE to purchase your own set!
The books are: St. Anna, St. Paisios, The Prophet Elias, St. Paraskevi, and St. Marina
Life of St John of San Francisco - Born in southern Russia on June 4, 1896 to well-off parents, John Maximovitch (baptized “Michael”) was a frail boy who loved to study. In spite of the fact that he was born with one leg shorter than the other and had a speech impediment, young Michael pursued his journey with determination and faith. Throughout his growing up years, Michael was exposed to true holiness as his family attended church regularly and took him to visit holy icons and the relics of holy people. These experiences had a profound and lasting impact on his life. Although exiled from his homeland due to the Bolshevik revolutionaries, he became a Russian Cadet, and then monk, seminary teacher and, eventually, Archbishop John of Shanghai and San Francisco. John was a very humble man all of his life. A great man of prayer and tireless traveler to wherever his help was needed, Saint John Maximovitch performed many miracles on the five continents he crossed. His angelic life was a true comfort to people who were in need and in all kinds of pain. He helped the building of churches, hospitals, and orphanages and was intensely active, constantly praying and serving the daily cycle of services, while also visiting the sick with the Holy Gifts. He often would walk barefooted even in the coldest days. Yet to avoid the appearance of secular glory, he would pretend to act the fool. He gave generously to the needy and served the poor without a thought for his own needs. He was known for his asceticism and was also so close to God that he was endowed with the gift of clairvoyance, and there were healings by his prayers.
He reposed July 2nd 1966 at the age of 70 years old, and he is entombed at church the Joy of all Who Sorrow Church in San Francisco.
The many names of St John: You may have heard of him by another name. St John was well beloved all over the world, and he was Shepherd to many flocks as well. You may also know him by these names: Saint John the Wonderworker, St John Maximovitch, St John of San Francisco, or St John of Shanghai. All the same person!
“Glorious apostle to an age of coldness and unbelief, invested with the grace-filled power of the saints of old, divinely illumined seer of heavenly mysteries, feeder of orphans, hope of the hopeless, thou didst enkindle on earth the fire of love for Christ upon the dark eve of the day of judgement. Pray now that this sacred flame may also rise from our hearts.”
Make Russian Food (St John’s Favorite Food) - Since St John is a relatively recent Saint, we actually know what his favorite food is! Isn’t that super cool? We know his favorite food is a Russian dish called Vareniki and Cabbage. Think of it as a dumpling, except it has sauerkraut (cabbage) and onions inside. There are a lot of variations out there. The Vareniki's filling can be very different: potato, cabbage, potato and meat, potato and pork, sweet or salted curd, pumpkin, cherries and so on. The filling is warped up in dough and cooked for five minutes or less. Vareniki are usually served with sour cream.but here is a recipe from Ukraine Food Blog for one that doesn’t require a mold to make.
Make Rocky Road Granola Bars! Did you know that the Rocky Road Flavor (chocolate/marshmellows) was invented in San Francisco? Since St John Maximovitch was Archbishop there for many years, you and your family can make a yummy treat in his honor! If you have the 2021 Orthodox Children’s Calendar by Draw Near Designs , check out the April activity page for a yummy recipe!
Listen to a Concise Story of His Life for Kids in this 4 Minute Podcast on Ancient Faith: Saint of the Day
Browse Through Photographs of St John check out these actual photographs of St John Maximovitch!
Ask for his intercessions (prayers) - St John is known to be a powerful intercessor. You can find service, prayers and akathist to St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco through this link HERE
You can submit your names to be prayed Did you know that the Cathedral that St John established in San Francisco has weekly Moleben service for St John every Friday? You can provide a list of names of your relatives and friends that you wish to have commemorated at the weekly moleben service to Saint John in front of his relics. This can be done through the Church’s website - Click here at the Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral in San Francisco- where St John is buried. You can also request oil from the lampada there at the Cathedral.
The Story of Holy Hierarch John Maximovitch the New Wonderworker by Catalin Grigore -
Saint John and Goolya by Tamara N Zaharek - Children will learn about St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco and his unusual friend - a pigeon named Goolya
DVD - Documentary on the life of St John of San Francisco - This documentary is the first of its kind on St John Maximovitch. Containing dozens of never before published photographs, and with interviews with many who knew St. John very well, this DVD is an inspiring and fitting tribute to this wonderworker who is loved by Orthodox Christians all over the world
Life of St Paisios - Saint Paisios is a contemporary saint in the Orthodox Church who lived most of his life as a monk and ascetic on Mount Athos. Saint Paisios was born in July 25, 1924 in the humble village of Farasa in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). He was baptized at 3 weeks old by the village priest, St Arsenios the Cappadocian, who foretold his life as a monk. A week following Saint Paisios’ baptism the Turks drove out all of the Greeks from Asia Minor, sending them on a 400-mile exodus to Greece, where his family settled in Epiros. It is interesting to note that it was Elder Paisios who later wrote about the life of St Arsenios. Early in his life, St Paisios gravitated towards the spiritual life, spending hours daily in prayer. During World War II he served in the military as a radio operator. In 1950 he went to Mount Athos, where he remained for most of the rest of his life, growing in spiritual stature through prayer, fasting, and many ascetical practices. In 1979 he moved to his final home, Panagouda Hermitage. Here he received tens of thousands of pilgrims, granting them, by God’s grace, healing, advice, wisdom, and solace. He reposed in the Lord on July 12, 1994 and was canonized a Saint in 2015.
He is one of the most beloved modern saints in the Orthodox world because he was able to speak to us in contemporary language, using simple analogies that communicated deep spiritual wisdom. He prayed continually for the world and used his God-given gifts of discernment and foresight to guide those who would visit him. He never berated people, but always encouraged them, giving hope in place of desperation. “My heart rejoices when I see souls who take heed and struggle in a world that has become full of little devils.”
Source: https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/lessons-from-saint-paisios-the-athonite
“Some people tell me that they are scandalized because they see many things wrong in the Church. I tell them that if you ask a fly, “Are there any flowers in this area?” it will say, “I don’t know about flowers, but over there in that heap of rubbish you can find all the filth you want.” And it will go on to list all the unclean things it has been to.
Now, if you ask a honeybee, “Have you seen any unclean things in this area?” it will reply, “Unclean things? No, I have not seen any; the place here is full of the most fragrant flowers.” And it will go on to name all the flowers of the garden or the meadow.
You see, the fly only knows where the unclean things are, while the honeybee knows where the beautiful iris or hyacinth is.
As I have come to understand, some people resemble the honeybee and some resemble the fly. Those who resemble the fly seek to find evil in every circumstance and are preoccupied with it; they see no good anywhere. But those who resemble the honeybee only see the good in everything they see. The stupid person thinks stupidly and takes everything in the wrong way, whereas the person who has good thoughts, no matter what he sees, no matter what you tell him, maintains a positive and good thought.”
+St. Paisios of Mt. Athos, “Good and Evil Thoughts,” Spiritual Counsels III: Spiritual Struggle
St Paisios and Nature - St Paisios was known to have many animal friends. In a letter written to the nuns of the Monastery of St John the Theologian in Souroit, he recounts a beloved bird named Olet who became a friend to him. He tenderly cares for the bird, even feeding him daily. He tells the nuns “When I call for Olet to come, he brings with him other birds, friends of his, who run right to the food, but Olet comes out of obedience and love. Even when he is hungry, he sits a while with me and forgets food; I remind him. And now that the weather has turned beautiful and he finds bugs to eat, when I call he still comes out of obedience, even though he is full and not bothered by hunger.” You can read more about his beloved bird Olet and his many encounters with animals HERE. One characteristic you’ll see over and over again is he had such a tender love for all creation, both nature, animals and people. In the saints we see countless examples of people who walk in simple harmony with all of nature, and as a result animals are drawn to them. It’s just a glimpse into the paradise, like Adam and Eve in the garden, who was in harmony with nature in the beginning.
Make Bird Feeders - St Paisios had a special connection with nature. In fact he had a bird friend he named Olet, who he would feed and care for. St Paisios cared for nature and animals with such a tender love. We too can follow in his footsteps and care for the animals surrounding us! Consider making a bird feeder and feed the birds just like St Paisios did (See story above). Here are some ideas for DIY bird feeders:
Make Soap Carvings - There is an account that St Paisios spent time in Sinai and he carved small wooden things and sold them in order to buy food for the people there. We can remember him by mimicking him! Using a bar of soap, you can make soap carvings! Check out this blog for DIY soap carvings for kids HERE.
Go on a nature scavenger hunt! - St Paisios taught us to “be the bee” (see story above), so practice finding the flowers and beauty all around us! Go on a scavenger hunt and look for flowers on your walk. Children are natural good at seeing what’s right in front of them!
Make a Greek Salad! St Paisios spent most of his life in Greece, so why not eat make/eat some Greek food as we remember him! If you have the 2021 Orthodox Children’s Calendar by Draw Near Designs , check out the June activity page for a yummy recipe and an illustrated summary of St Paisios’ life!
Caring for Nature - One example of the life of St Paisios was his care for nature and those around him. One way we can mimick St Paisios is by being mindful of the animals, bugs, and wildlife around us and care for it! Hanging a bird feeder with seeds, hummingbird feeder, planting plants that attract bees (check out this list of bee-friendly plants), and as we do this we can remember the words of our Lord “whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Elder Paisios the Hagiorite, the Friend of Children by By Catalin Gregore - Beautiful full color illustrations adorn the simple and text. Written for children 7 and up
A Boy’s Journey to Sainthood: Saint Paisios the Athonite by Anna Iakovou - In this book, children will learn about the life of St. Paisios through sweet and moving stories, filled with wisdom and joy. For children ages 5 to 12.
Saint Paisios the Hagiorite by Potamitis Publishing
Saints of July Mini-Book Set by Draw Near Designs - included in this 5 Paterikon books series is the St Paisios book, which is perfect to learn more about his life! My family and I purchased this set and I’m thankful to have some resources on hand right at the beginning of the month! Easy peasy planning + fast shipping! This 5 book set costs $20, which is a STEAL! Click HERE to purchase your own set!
Life of St Marina - The Holy Great Martyr Marina was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch into a family of a pagan priest. When she was young, her mother died and her father gave her into the care of a nanny, who told Marina about the Orthodox Faith. Upon learning that his daughter had become a Christian, her father disowned her. When she was fifteen years old, St. Marina was arrested and put in prison and presented to the Governor Olymbrios, who was charmed when he saw the beautiful girl. He tried to persuade her to renounce the Christian Faith and become his wife. But Marina refused his offers. The governor became angry and ordered that sacrifice to his idols. She stood firm in her faith and proclaimed herself a Christian. She was fiercely beaten, then fastened to a board and her body torn with hooks.
Thrown again into prison, an angel appeared and healed her wounds. While she was in prison, she was tormented by demons. Then the Devil himself appeared to her and said, “O Marina, if you obey the governor that would be for your good for he is merciless, and he wishes to erase your name from the face of the earth.” She realized that he was the Devil. Straightway she caught the hair of his head, and she took an iron rod and started to beat him, saying, “Stop it O Satan.” Then she bound him with the sign of the cross, not to depart from before her until he told her all about what he does to the human race. When she pressed him, he told her, “I am the one who makes adultery, stealing, blasphemy, and earthly desires, good and desirable to the human. And if I do not overcome him, I steer sleep and laziness against him, so he will not pray and ask for the forgiveness of his sins.” She was harshly tortured, imprisoned and finally beheaded. She is especially known for help with demon possession, or demonic influence.
Listen to the story of her life (1 minute video) from “Saint of the Day” podcast on Ancient Faith
Make “Dragon” Noodles - St Marina is often depicted with a dragon or beating up a demon. In iconography, dragons are an image of demons. Part of her story is she was tormented by demons and overcame them, often by force. Making dragon noodles is a fun way to remember her story! Check out this recipe for Dragon Noodles HERE.
St Marina - Paterikon for Kids by Potamitis Publishing
Saints of July Mini-Book Set by Draw Near Designs - included in this 5 Paterikon books series is the St Marina book, which is perfect to learn more about her life! My family and I purchased this set and I’m thankful to have some resources on hand right at the beginning of the month! Easy peasy planning + fast shipping! This 5 book set costs $20, which is a STEAL! Click HERE to purchase your own set!
Life of St Elizabeth the New Martyr - St. Elizabeth was Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, the second child and daughter of Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse (now Germany) and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom. She was affectionately known as “Ella” by her family. When she was 14, diphtheria swept through and her mother and her 4-year-old sister both died. This changed Princess Ella’s life completely. She helped her father raise her younger siblings. When she was 20, Princess Ella married the grand prince Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia, whom she had known since childhood because he and his family would come for visits. When she married, she became a Grand Duchess, and moved to Russia. The Duchess had been raised as a Lutheran Christian.
Her conversion to Orthodoxy - Now that she was living in Russia, she encountered Orthodoxy which she knew very little about before moving there. She wanted to understand the faith of her husband and her people, so she began to read and study it. Over time (and especially during a visit to the Holy Land) it became clear to her that she wanted to become Orthodox. She wrote a beautiful letter to her father, explaining that she wanted to become Orthodox (her husband was not forcing her to do so). she was chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church on Lazarus Saturday in 1891.
Like many converts to the Orthodox Faith, the Grand Duchess had to deal with the negative reaction of her family. "Once the decision was reached, it proved a difficult task to make it known to her relatives. She writes to them at this time that she is "intensely happy," but that it pains her to cause grief to her beloved family. And yet her determination was firm, "I am sure God's blessing will accompany my act which I do with such fervent belief, with the feeling that I may become a better Christian and be one step nearer to God." Explaining the reasons for her decision, she writes in a letter: "Above all one's conscience must be pure and true... many will -- I know -- scream about (it), yet I feel it brings me nearer to God... You tell me that the outer brilliance of the church charmed me... in that you are mistaken -- nothing in the outer signs attracted me -- no -- the service, the service, the outer signs are only to remind us of the inner things."
Her husband’s murder and life as a nun - Grand Duke Serge was killed by an assassin’s bomb on February 4, 1905, just as St Elizabeth was leaving for her workshops. She visited her husband’s killer in prison and urged him to repent, giving him an icon. After her husband’s murder, she began to withdraw from her former social life. She founded the Convent of Sts. Martha and Mary in Moscow, a community of nuns which focused on worshiping God and helping the poor. She sold all her fine clothes and jewels, and moved out of her palace into the buildings that she had purchased on behalf of the convent. Having given away her considerable wealth, she founded hospitals, orphanages, and cared for the sick and impoverished with her own hands.
Martyrdom - Even more remarkable is the story of her assassination at the hands of the Bolsheviks, who took Saint Elizabeth and several other members of the Russian royal family to an abandoned mineshaft in the middle of the night. The night of July 18, they were taken out into a woods and thrown down an empty mine shaft. As she was thrown in, Abbess Elizabeth quoted Christ, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” (Luke 23:34). Unlike most of the others, Abbess Elizabeth did not fall all 180+ feet to the bottom of the mine shaft. Instead, she landed on a ledge about 45 feet down. Another member of the royal family landed there as well, and was later found with his injuries bandaged (by either her handkerchief or part of her veil, depending on the version you read), so even in the process of being martyred, Abbess Elizabeth was helping others by using whatever she had! The Abbess and her fellow martyrs were heard singing the Cherubic Hymn and other hymns of the church as their executioners threw grenades into the mine shaft and then left them to die.
SOURCES: OCA and Orthodox Wiki and HERE
Host a tea party! St Elizabeth was a Princess from the Royal Family, so tea time was likely a common experience growing up. St Elizabeth is my daughter’s patron saint, so every year we host a ‘St Elizabeth Tea Party” inviting a few friends to join us! For this tea party we set out our finest pieces, buy flowers for the table, and display the icon of St Elizabeth as our centerpiece. We usually make tea sandwiches and serve cookies along with our tea. Check out this Royal Tea Czar Nicholas II.
Donate items to a local shelter - One known quality about St Elizabeth is her desire to help the needy, the poor and the suffering. This would be a good opportunity to buy some extra food or clothing and donate to a local shelter. Top Needs for Shelters During Summer Months:
Food
Bottled Water
Backpacks
Portable water carriers
Underwear for men, women and children
Shoes and socks
Umbrellas
Create a Feast Day Table Scene - There’s no right way to do this. Collect items that remind you of her. Maybe a little church, a cross (her martyrdom), a white cloth like the one she wore when she became a nun, print a photo of her or display her icon. Check out these St Elizabeth Peg Dolls HERE which would be perfect for a feast day table display! I also love this St Elizabeth print by Sleightholm Folk which I purchased this year for my daughter’s name day.
Sing “O Lord Save Thy People” - It is said that as she was being martyred in the mine shaft, she was singing the Troparion of the Holy Cross. As we remember her, we can also remember Christ, who by the power of the cross saves us . You can listen to it in 3 languages in this video on YouTube HERE.
Make Russian Tea Cookies! St Elizabeth married her husband, who was the Russian Czar. Check out these yummy tea cookies - which are shortbread-like dough, studded with chopped nuts, a little crumbly and covered in powdered sugar. You can find a recipe HERE.
Holy New Martyr Elizabeth Grand Duchess of Russia by Catalin Grigore - This book is beautiful! I love the full color illustrations alongside the simple story of the life of St Elizabeth. It is written for children 7 and up, but my children were able to sit and listen to it from 4 on up!
Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became A Saint - This chapter book tells the story of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr for ages 9+: https://www.amazon.com/Ellas-Story-Duchess-Became-Saint/dp/1888212705
Encountering Women of Faith, Vol. I by Kyriaki FitzGerald - St. Elizabeth the New Martyr is one of the women saints featured in this book.
The Holy Prophet of God Elias (also known as Prophet Elijah in English), is a prophet in the Old Testament who carries great significance.
From the Old Testament: He is first introduced in 1 Kings 17 and is most known for when he is told by God to deliver a message to Ahab the king ““As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Then the Lord God told Elias “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” So he did what the Lord had told him. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. But after some time, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. The Lord told him “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” So he went to Zarephath and there God miraculously supplied ingredients for bread. The widow’s son became ill and suddenly died, and Elijah was able to raise him back to life!
From the New Testament: Elias is frequently mentioned in the New Testament. In John 1:25 the priests and Levites said to St John the Baptist, "Why baptize thou, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias?" The Jews were expecting Elias to return before the coming Christ. According to Matthew 11:11, St John the Baptist was the Elias that "must first come" (Matt. 11:11, 14). In St John the Baptist one can see the same connection with a wild and wilderness country; the same long retirement in the desert; the same sudden, startling entrance on his work (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 3:2); even the same dress, a hairy garment, and a leather girdle about the loins (2 Kings 1:8; Matt. 3:4)."
-Kh Destinie
