While it is truly a test of cognitive skills, I think it is cumbersome to play. The colored playing tokens should be colored on the bottom side of each token matching the top color, so that once the game card is started, you could TURN OVER each initial piece. That way, as you are setting down new pieces, in trial and error, to get the correct new tokens in each row without duplicating them in the opposing rows, you would know at all times which were the original (given) tokens and which ones YOU had put down that might need to be reset in a different pattern to solve the puzzle. OTHERWISE, you have to continually refer back to the "key" card to see which tokens were considered "original". I actually found it nerve-wracking and it took some of the fun out of succeeding. I am looking now for the appropriate permanent colored markers to color the bottoms myself.

Very nice.

Beautiful cards, beautifully done!

When I heard that Christine Rogers, author of Spyridon’s Shoes, was releasing another novel, I was so eager to read it and for my children to read it. So, when I had the opportunity to review The Lost Saint, I leaped at it! I had to wait my turn to read it, though, because my nine-year-old snatched it the day it arrived.

This tale is full of adventure, sorry, and triumph. Marko is on two journeys, one spiritual and the other literal. After being separated from his family during the Siege of Rhodes, Marko comes to face emotional trauma from his past while he strives to find his family. With the aid of three displaced monks, Marko must make many choices, and together they discover a mysterious icon.

My family devoured The Lost Icon. From the beginning, the world Rogers writes about is rich and deep. It was easy for my children to imagine Marko’s world. This story broaches many difficult and painful ideas, including a traumatic death, the loss of home, war, a crisis of faith, and separation from parents, but Rogers approaches them all so beautifully. Children can handle such difficult things when they are presented in a way they can understand and imagine, and Rogers writes them with such respect and honesty. Our children will not be exempt from struggle and pain, and to meet them in literature first, prepares them for the inevitability in a safe way. The Lost Saint shows children how the saints are applicable to and active in our lives. It shows how the church and Christ are balms to a wounded, journeying soul. These are glorious things for a child to learn from a book.

The story is beautiful, the writing is beautiful, and the emergence of the saint and his story is beautiful. This upper elementary, middle-school-age novel is a wonderful addition to any Orthodox Christian’s library. I am so glad it is in ours.

Dr. Nicole Roccas’ Time and Despondency is a refreshing look at how our lived experiences intersect with the intangible concept of “time”. Read by the author, this was an enjoyable and thought provoking text. Frequently citing both church fathers and more modern monastic sources, Dr. Roccas helps frame their “timeless” advice within the lens of our modern lives. I was particularly impressed by the practical advice, including actionable steps we can take to more correctly experience time as God intended. The advice presented is both actionable, and backed up by the sayings of Orthodox hierarchs and monastics. While we may not all be called to a monastic life governed by the services of the hours, we are all called to live our vocations within the vocations to which God has called us. Time and Despondency offers a thorough analysis and toolbox for steadily, one moment at a time, turning our lives towards Christ.

Chapter 5 spoke exactly to my situation and was so refreshing to hear; that I wasn't losing my mind. It has been a great encouragement and is a helpful tool as I learn to embrace vulnerability and leave behind the core of fear and shame in the struggle for worthiness. I want a life of gratitude no matter the circumstances around me or the suffering I endure.

In a market flooded with self-help, self-discovery, and self-discipline, it is refreshing and noteworthy to read a book on Christian disciplines that comes right out and declares, "No one can do this on their own." This simple admission sets this book alone from all other books in the genre I have read, and is powerful in this era where so many of us are disconnected from one another.

To categorize Fr. Evan's teaching as only Orthodox or for only Orthodox Christians would be a great mistake, as the advice given is applicable and accessible by anyone trying to follow the Christian Way. Fr. Evan presents his work, while obviously from an Orthodox perspective, in a non-polemical way which is respectful of the reader an can be applied in any Christian context.

The Christian spiritual journey is a communal one, and to go it alone is exceedingly difficult--believe me, I have tried. This book recognizes that difficulty and provides a map through the wilderness, as a personal and embodied guide toward a spiritual life only made possible with the help of each other.

The Scent of Holiness by Constantina R. Palmer is a must listen for anyone who desires to learn from the pearls of wisdom that comes from contemporary Orthodox nuns and novices. Although some books with monastic wisdom tend to be more solemn, Constantina does a beautiful job of using a storytelling format to convey the messages. This format makes the wisdom both easier to digest and humanizes monastics. I especially appreciate the humanizing aspects of this book because it reminds me so much of the nuns and novices that I have developed relationships with in a Coptic women’s monastery in the U.S.

It is because this book is full of stories that it makes Constantina’s narration of her own writing all the more meaningful. I will mention that the recording of the intro to the book felt just slightest bit choppy to me, but once the book itself started, the audio is very smooth and easy to listen to. The thoughtfulness and effort that went into the making of this book is evident, even with the smallest details as with the number of chapters (33) and calling each chapter a “knot,” as on a prayer rope, did not go overlooked.

Even further, I loved that Constantina took every story, no matter how small it may have seemed, and helped us see how we could be taking each opportunity to learn and grow closer to Christ. It is a perfect reminder that there is nothing so small or menial in our lives that cannot be directed towards God.

While I would recommend this book to everyone, I especially think women should read this book. Often, the lives of women monastics go overlooked, and this is a beautiful book both for young women and seasoned women alike who need some encouragement to keep living a life of holiness. I will without question be listening to this book again and because of how much I enjoyed it, I even sent the audible link to two friends while listening to it. A third person heard a snippet of this book while I was playing it on a car ride, and she is looking forward to listening to it as well.

The kids were very excited.

The book written real good and interesting for kids( and even for adults). Plenty of information about the Saint, but in such an easy to read manner. Enjoyed reading with my 9 years old. I would recommend it to anyone with young children.
Thank you for this book!

Every word of every page is so meaningful to apply to life. Once I picked up the book, I had hard time putting it down. The book have touched my life in many ways. I recommend it for everyone in every path of life.

The icons are beautiful, the material that it is printed on is sturdy and of good quality and I appreciate the Julian calendar dates which we follow. Many thanks to all who work for Ancient Faith in all your departments.

Simple, yet insightful!

I really liked the boxes, I bought them as Christmas gifts for my children. The boxes are very well made and beautiful.

Healing Your Wounded Soul: Growing from Pain to Peace is a practical, down-to-earth book that packs a strong punch for anyone who needs firm, yet gentle encouragement to do what it takes to delve deep and do the tough work to repair the spiritual hurts that affect us all. Fr. Makoul’s book is not just a book for those who have a specific trauma to work through, but it is a book for anyone living in this broken world who has ever felt the pain that inevitably comes with human relationships. The advice and explanations found in this book educate the reader while giving the reader a firm call to action. Fr. Makoul suggests that delving into the work of healing is not only for oneself but for humanity. All of his advice and prose is relational and he uses the pronouns “we” and “us” throughout.

Fr. Makoul focuses on the fundamentally paralyzing emotions of shame and overcontrol and shows how replacing them with humility and surrender towards God and his love can mobilize the reader in the quest for healing. The ultimate insight Fr. Mokoul gives is to know oneself - an undertaking that can only be achieved through intentionally doing the hard work of letting go, having sincere hope instead of expectations, and diving into forgiveness of self and others.

As a therapist, Fr. Makoul’s writing is not only educational, it is peppered with concrete suggestions for websites, therapies, and specific tasks (like going to Confession grateful) readers can use to begin and continue on their healing journey making Healing Your Wounded Soul a spiritually helpful book for all.

Not only is this book renewing, but it helps to transform, reawaken, and breathe new life into your whole being. This book jumps right into ways to embrace a life filled with faith. Each chapter is short, easy to read, and full of useful knowledge.
In the beginning of this book, you learn easy ways to include God first. Our world is filled with social media, our own self doubts, and other challenges we face. “Renewing You” addresses the obstacles of today and how we struggle with them. It provides a step by step way to give ourselves over to prayer and God daily. It teaches us how to change our self defending behaviors and trials into a meaningful and successful life with God, our Father.
We learn how to give ourselves “self time”, remembering that we must take care of ourselves. While “self care” is important, we must tend and care for our marriage and our children in ways God had intended. We learn to empower ourselves with the help of God. Once we are healed and have a life focused around God, then we can give that to others.
This book is truly life changing. It has helped me to grow deeper in my faith. This book reminds me that I am worthy of God’s love and He truly wants what is best for me. I have realized I have to care for myself and the many blessings that God has provided. It is easy to pray and need God when life is hard, but a struggle to include God during times of peace and calm as well. This book puts life into the perspective of loving God in all things. I highly recommend this book, it is a must read.

Purchased the icon as a gift and the recipient loves it. I am pleased.

Absolutely beautiful.

I am Lithuanian and I like that the inscriptions are in Lithuanian, and that the icon includes a small version of the Lithuanian "national" Madonna "at the Gate of Dawn."

Too bad it's not available in a larger size, like 8 x 12.

The 3 martyrs are venerated in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

It's a wonderful book for children and for adults as well.