I love Theology and all things Orthodox, but in this season of life I need simplicity. A little nugget to take and slowly digest. I try to carve out a few minutes a day to read, so sometimes I get one or two pages in. I also recently subscribed to Audible and I have enjoyed listening to books while doing chores, or nursing my little one - and I have found that I am actually able to “read” a lot more through that method. So I will share my booklist on Audible as well! Below you will find my current reading list and a brief commentary on my thoughts so far!

Do you have a notebook for taking down quotes from Holy Fathers in your reading? Do you always have a book of Holy Fathers that you are reading, and can turn to in a moment of gloom? Start now - this is essential.” - Fr Seraphim Rose.

One of my favorite gifts to give for baptisms, specifically for children, is an Orthodox book about baptism! For many young children, they may not remember the details of their baptism, so showing them photos of that day and reading a book about it (especially for older siblings) can be a wonderful way to talk about the day they became a Christian! Check out this Orthodox Baptism Package. All 4 of these books are sold individually or as a bundle by Potamitis Press

One of my goals for the New Year is to “write it down”. Check out these Orthodox resources that will aid in this goal including the Journal of Thanksgiving by Ancient Faith which has lines to record gratitude for every day of the year for 3 years.

Breakfast is usually the time of day we do our saint study. I keep a cookbook stand on the table opened up to the saint of the day. We eat all our meals together at the kitchen table (a practice I am trying very hard to establish). We start with prayer before our meal and after I have eaten a little bit, I begin to read the story of the saint of the day from our My Synaxarion Series. This usually takes just a few short minutes, and since the children are eating, they are a captive audience! It’s the perfect time to set aside to read.

My Review: One of my priorities as a mother raising children in the Orthodox Church is to share with them the stories of those Christians who have fought the good fight, have finished the race, have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Each volume includes a collection of detailed Saint Stories written with children in mind (ages 5+). This is a super incredible option for families attempting to create their own Synaxarion reading library for children.

My oldest turned 7 this year, and up until this point we have been using a very simple book to help guide her through the Divine Liturgy. I was so pleased when I discovered Christ Amongst Us by Newrome Press. This book is both an easy to understand commentary on the Divine Liturgy according to the writings of the Holy Fathers and includes the text for the Divine Liturgy according to St John Chrysostom.

When it comes to teaching my children about the Orthodox Faith, it is very valuable to have trustworthy resources. When asked if I was willing to review The Good Samaritan: A Children’s Catechism, I was ecstatic since I have been searching for a book just like this! 

Take a peak inside the newly released coloring book Beautiful Days by Ancient Faith Publishing showcasing “every day Orthodox living” which includes common scenes they might see in your home or in your community. My girls especially loved the icons that they recognized from our home! This coloring book is perfect for a beautiful day of coloring, or throw it in your church bag for a quiet activity for busy hands. One feature I especially love is the pages are perforated which makes for a clean tear when the time comes to remove their masterpiece!

I love Theology and all things Orthodox, but in this season of life I need simplicity. A little nugget to take and slowly digest. I try to carve out a few minutes a day to read, so sometimes I get one or two pages in. I also recently subscribed to Audible and I have enjoyed listening to books while doing chores, or nursing my little one - and I have found that I am actually able to “read” a lot more through that method. So I will share my booklist on Audible as well! Below you will find my current reading list and a brief commentary on my thoughts so far!

One of my favorite gifts to give for baptisms, specifically for children, is an Orthodox book about baptism! For many young children, they may not remember the details of their baptism, so showing them photos of that day and reading a book about it (especially for older siblings) can be a wonderful way to talk about the day they became a Christian! Check out this Orthodox Baptism Package. All 4 of these books are sold individually or as a bundle by Potamitis Press