This was a beautiful and thought provoking story. It is an easy read and an enjoyable story for younger children. However, it also has a depth to it that teens & adults will appreciate. There are just layers of meaning from the obvious "surface" story down to the subtle "depths" of meaning to sit and ponder over.

The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful. I didn't realize until after I'd already read the book that the author, Georgia Briggs, also drew these lovely pictures.

The story is about Joy, a bear who is drawn to journey north but doesn't know exactly why. She eventually arrives at a little cabin in the forest where a very kind man lives. This man, to whom she was drawn, is St. Seraphim of Sarov. The story is fiction but based in truth. The holy man is very real. St. Seraphim lived from 1754-1833 in Russia and is a saint recognized by the Orthodox Christian Church.

Joy quickly settles down at St. Seraphim's little cabin. She has an immediate, deep love for him and never wants to leave. She believes she loves him more than all of the other animals and people that are also drawn to him. The story tells of her struggles to understand St. Seraphim, herself, and others. She really doesn't see herself or others as clearly as she thinks she does. Joy has a lot of learning to do! But St. Seraphim is very patient with the foolish & proud old bear.

It is so easy to see ourselves in Joy. Her very "human" failures and missteps. Her desire to do better and serve her beloved master more. Her journey is our journey.

The only thing I was disappointed about was that there were lines of prayer, etc. uttered by St. Seraphim that were written in Russian (that part was great) but weren't translated anywhere into English. So for non-Russian speakers, they won't know what is being said. And it is sad they're missing the beauty there. I am trying to teach myself Russian so I did understand some. It would have been perfect if there was a little section in the back with translations so everyone could know what he was saying. That is the only reason for the 4 stars.

Overall a wonderful story! I look forward to more books by this author. Her previous book, Icon, is also excellent and highly recommended!

This book is a MUST READ for anyone whose focus is easily distracted from the awareness of
God's continual presence and purpose in this world.

Earlier this year I read Fr. Evan’s “Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: A Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.” I appreciated the discussion questions and reflections in that book and likewise the format of this newest book.

Fr. Evan has done an excellent job of laying out steps a parish can take to improve it’s spiritual health. I will be purchasing copies for my priest and parish council members (I am a Church School Director) as I believe it will help us especially as we are recovering from the trauma of separation during the pandemic.

Fr. Evan has organized this book just like a roadmap; with steps, directions, resources, and discussion questions to best help leaders improve their communication and decide the purpose of the Great Commission in their own parishes. Through this “Parish Health Plan” readers are encouraged to start with our own spiritual improvements and reflections before we move to a group discussion on matters that will most likely raise hairs. Yet, these discussions must happen in order to provide the clear and healthy direction that parishes need to take to maintain the mission of the Gospels to spread the love of Christ to all peoples.

Matt 28:19-20 serves as the final destination spot of this book and in order to reach it Fr. Evan lays out some pit stops that we need to carefully fulfill first. Chapter 1 gives tips on how to choose what is most important to your parish, Ch. 2 has five essentials of starting the journey, Ch. 3 gives tips for parish health (commitment to the gospel, relationship building, and organization are some). Chapters 4 and 5 discuss common barriers or “road blocks.” Ch. 6 lays out the aspects of healthy leadership (humility is key). Chapter 7 lays out a parish health plan, making sure your parish is on the right track by forming a committee to make sure communication and follow through happens. Few things are more frustrating in a leadership group (such as a parish council) than inefficiency and a lack of follow through with commitments that the group makes.

Ultimately, this book is an excellent resource that all parish leadership should consider using in order to create a healthy and communicative environment that the Gospel can be lived out under. I recommend this book for anyone in religious leadership and appreciate Fr. Evan’s conclusion to “take things one step at a time” or to continue our roadtrip analogy “one pit stop” at a time.

This is a very good choice for Non-Orthodox recipients.
This icon on page two leaves little room for notes.

I love this story and the illustrations and can’t wait for the next! The characters in the book are very real and relatable. My only regret is that my children and grandchildren are too old for me to read to them anymore,

I am quite fond of Fr. Armatas' writing and when I first heard about this book I honestly thought, this may be one I pass because I'm not on our Parish counsel and really didn’t think it would speak to me so. But oh how I was wrong ( and I am so glad I was). Fr. Armatas took a topic I was wholly uneducated in and made it easy to understand and read, and with that I was able to realize that this is not just a parish counsel concern but a Parish as a whole concern. Fr. Armatas takes the concern of Evangelism, the health of a Parish, and Outreach and makes it easily understandable and shows how it can be attainable. It gives you active, practical steps the parish can use to become a healthy parish. So fantastic. I will be giving a copy to the parish council and our priest as a gift. In my humble opinion, this is a must-read for anyone of the Orthodox Faith.

This book was an amazing add to our library, we read it as a family. We are an orthodox family with children in the same age as the book characters, and my husband is a church cantor. We could “identify” ourselves in the narrative with the “good” and the “bad”. Mostly we learned that that sacrifice and the love for the other is what really matters. I highly recommend it to any Christian household and not only.

I received one as a gift last year. I liked it so much that i bought them as gifts this year for my friends.

Really great, hands-on advise. I enjoyed it

Beautiful depiction and workmanship.

A thoughtful reminder for all of us on what it means to be a Christian, and how we should bring the word of Christ cells around us.

I love this little prayer book. It is my second copy. I have had my first one for almost 25 years and I use it everyday. I bought a copy for a new catechumen and ha seems to be very happy with it. I had a hard time finding it and it only popped up when I used the ISBN number.

These mixed packs of classic Christmas Cards are so beautiful. The colors are so vibrant and the sentiments heart warming. These cards fully exhibit the true beauty and meaning of the season.
Is it possible to create a mixed pack with no sentiments inside for those who want to

Over all, this is an engaging and helpful book.

This a very engaging and helpful book for entering grief in your own life or coming alongside a friend or loved one in their grief. I wanted to read this as I am a newer convert to the Orthodox Church and am still learning about theology. Also, as a mental health therapist it is helpful to grow more in your understanding of helping people in their grief. The author's added insight from her own life helps to make this an easy read/listen. As well, the group guide in the appendix will be very helpful to those not accustomed to helping individuals in a group setting process their personal grief.

I’m a male with wide hands. Your expandable prayer bracelet is the only one I have found that I can slip in and off easily and still adjust it to fit comfortably around my wrist. Than you!

Beautiful

A friend gave me this book when I became a catechuman. It is ABSOLUTELY delightful! Father Aidan is an extremely gifted writer with an easy and familiar style that effortlessly brings you to deep truths and sweet simplicity all at once. I am both encouraged and challenged as I read of his ordinary days...except what grace- laced day is really ORDINARY? I think thats the point almost. He shares with honesty and openness: his blunders, and joys, his loves and lessons. The rhythm of what could become mundane is set by the heart-beat of an ever-present Holy presence that Father Aidan invites us to see with him, as he gets glimpses of the eternal Beauty in even the simplest of moments. There is a special poignance accented by humor and candor that you just shouldn't miss out on.

I like the red ink highlights that make it easier to find the beginning of each section. The table of contents is also well organized. It is sized to hold easily in your hand as well. The one thing that I did notice though was that there's no section for Sunday Vespers. I don't know if this is a mistake or not.

Absolutely amazing book for young and old!
Perfect for my 9 year old
We can’t wait to read the next chapter
Would buy it again and as well a great gift idea
God bless the writer

5