Excellent Holy Bible, very well made and printed on high quality paper, will definitely become an heirloom piece for my family.

I enjoyed the story so much when I listened to it read aloud on Audible that I purchased a copy to own and to be able to share with my goddaughter and with other kids at church.

I thought this book was very good. I was raised Roman Catholic but praying on becoming Orthodox and I think that all should know the differences. Because of COVID-19 the Orthodox Church in my area is not having any classes at this time, so I am trying to study what I can on my own.

Lovely bookmarks! They make great gifts!

5

Thank you! A great book, and came quickly!

This is a beautiful addition to this series, and even stands quite well on its own! We read half of this book aloud in one sitting. My Seraphina (6) was particularly intrigued with the characters and setting, and kept asking me to continue when I would pause to take care of something.

Painting Angels follows the summer days of Sam and Macrina, as they face their own unique internal struggles and squabble out thier difficulties with each other with the help of some holy women and furry friends. It's always characters that keep me interested in a book, and these characters walk right off the page in delightfully real and sweet dialogue and description. The story takes place in a beautiful setting I wish I could visit, could send my children to spend their days in. It is a simple story with the kind of lessons and truths children and adults could both stand to learn from, told in an endearing and entertaining way.

These books would make excellent additions to Orthodox Childrens libraries, as they not only are enjoyable and entertaining, but they also show modern children interacting and owning their Orthodox faith which is so rare to find in childrens fiction. They would also be wonderful gifts for children, godchildren and grandchildren.

If you’re looking for some great Orthodox youth fiction, look no further! Melinda Johnson has brought what I think might be the best of her books in “Painting Angels”, which is the third book in the Sam & Saucer series. I’d say it’s great for kids anywhere from the 5-10 range, my girls enjoyed them even though they’re a bit younger (and so did I!) The book follows the adventures of Sam and Macrina as they spend their summer days at the monastery and help with taking care of the animals and various tasks. My favorite part is when they had to learn to overcome their differences and preconceptions, figure out how to work together, and learn the ultimate rule of a life in Christ. The book brings home a really great message! I also enjoyed the account of life on a farm by Veronica Naasko, which was fun and endearing! A great glimpse into farm life. I would definitely recommend the whole series!

Recently, a box arrived from Ancient Faith Publishing. I opened it to discover a book of short stories by Father Stephen Siniari, Big in Heaven, A Collection of Short Stories about Life in an American Orthodox Parish. I picked up the book and ignored the Foreword by Father David Fox who is the Assistant Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. Instead, I thought I would simply read just a few pages of the first story, to get a sense of Father Stephen’s style. Yet, Father Stephen’s initial story sucked me in. Before I was anywhere near ready to have my visit come to the end with the all too real members of the congregation of the fictional Saint Alexander the Whirling Dervish parish in North Philadelphia and their priest, Father Naum, I was turning the final page of the last story. I cannot say this strongly enough, read this lovely work of fiction.

Truly a masterpiece, and a book that should be in every Christian household. The depths of each Psalm and how everything points to Christ is just stunning, and literally takes a lifetime to understand.

Readers of all ages who wish to grow in their spiritual life will challenge themselves to embrace life with genuine gratitude that pours forth to God, heedless of their circumstances and comfort level. This book is a small step in that direction. Giving thanks - even just for one thing each day - for three years will begin to grow gratitude in the reader/journal writer’s life, and they will grow closer to becoming the person that they were created to be: a grateful, humble servant of God.

Ancient Faith Publishing has released yet another helpful book in their “Child’s Guide” series, titled “A Child’s Guide to Prayer”. The simple explanations and prayers in this book are enhanced by Tara Pappas’ beautiful illustrations, and both help the book live up to its name. It will, indeed, be an excellent prayer guide for its readers. And its child-friendly size makes this book easily managed by even the smallest of hands.

The book is conveniently divided into color-coded sections, making it very easy to identify and locate the various types of prayers by simply looking at the colored bar on each page. Each section contains a few sentences of explanation, followed by several simple prayers. The book is carefully written, using words that children can both understand and pronounce. The book’s sections include: What is Prayer?, Morning Prayers, Evening Prayers, Words of Faith, Prayers During the Day, Prayers for Mealtimes, Prayers for Family and Friends, Prayers of the Saints, Prayers to the Saints, Psalms to Pray, Communion Prayers, Prayers Before and After Confession, and Ways to Pray. The book concludes with several lined pages where children may write their own prayers and/or list the names of family and friends that they are praying for and how/when God answered those prayers.

Parents and teachers who desire to help the children in their care to grow closer to God will want to add “A Child’s Guide to Prayer” to their library. The prayers, teachings, and sweet illustrations in this book will engage the reader and lead them into a peaceful place, the place of prayer.

Women who are on the path of pregnancy will find encouragement and food for thought buried in the deep reflections in this book. In these pages, they will uncover the opportunity to nourish their own spirit even as they nurture the small life within them. Women who have already given birth will find reflections on their experience in this book that will help them to grow even after the fact. In “Fertile Ground”, Laura Jansson offers a treasured gift to the women of the Orthodox Christian Church.

Readers who have marveled at the experiences of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books will see some parallels in “Apostle to the Plains.” The Yanneys also lived in a sod house for a period of time while they were homesteading. Although the Ingalls family’s experiences preceded the Yanney’s by some 20 years, and happened largely in different states, both families suffered illnesses and loss. There were times when each family struggled to attend school or church (because there was none, or it was far away). And despite their hard times, both families endeavored to do what was right and persevered with dogged determination.

A large portion of “Apostle to the Plains” is dedicated to recounting the missionary journeys and busy life of Fr. Nicola’s years as a traveling priest, and at points these chapters feel a bit overwhelming. Even with today’s technology and travel infrastructure, his months of travel and the few weeks at home in between trips would exhaust anyone. But when the reader remembers that his travels happened more than a century ago, with much slower communication and more tedious means of transportation, what he accomplished is truly astounding.

Very nice!

“The Good Samaritan: a Children’s Catechism” is an excellent resource for any parent or teacher interested in guiding the children in their care towards Christ and the Church. The book is thorough, addressing the basic beliefs of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Fr. Michael calls each of the 13 chapters a “lesson”, for they are set up as such, intended for an older Orthodox Christian to lead the discussion as the book is read together with a child or group. Each lesson focuses on a different portion of our Faith, teaching through stories from the Scriptures or the lives of the saints, as well as through questions about common experiences that we all share. The discussion leader/teacher can read straight from the book, or paraphrase, turning parts of the book into questions to facilitate the discussion. Along the way, Father Michael has included teaching tips that suggest active ways to engage with the text, as well as occasional endnotes which offer additional background information. Each chapter builds on the chapter before in a seamless manner.

This book is, in itself, a retreat. Each entry is simultaneously soothing and thought provoking. It is written thoughtfully, and every page is poetry which engages the mind while challenging the reader’s thoughts. Themed chapters help the reader think from a distinctly Orthodox Christian perspective about topics related to prayer. They are as follows: Mind...Body...Soul; The Five Senses; Your Prayer Plan; Inner Stillness; An Offering; The Hours; Tools for Therapy. (Readers will likely find the “Tools for Therapy” chapter to become the most visited chapter. It includes a few ideas for ways to invite your body to join in prayer, as well as pages and pages of prayers, ranging from Psalms for each of the Hours to morning and evening prayers.) The author’s near-exclusive use of lower case is intentional; whispering her ideas and findings instead of shouting them, enhancing their soft allure. The final pages of the book are supplements that include a reproducible prayer card for your daily prayer plan, pages of scripture verses to memorize and pray, and recommended books (featuring an important quote from each) for further growth.

Phoebe Farag Mikhail’s book “Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church” is a balm for the disheartened soul. The author has found a way to simultaneously calm, soothe, and reassure the reader while also challenging them to live in an attitude of godly joy. Readers will step away from the book knowing what they need to do, with tools at the ready to assist them as they pursue true joy.

The book begins with an invitation section which answers the question, “What is joy?;” then offers insights into who/what steals joy from our life. The (much larger) second section of the book introduces seven joyful practices. These seven practices which the author offers as means to the pursuit of joy include: praying the hours; visiting the sick; repenting; giving thanks; offering hospitality; praying arrow prayers; and singing praises to God. Each practice is expounded via stories (both from the author’s experience and from others), scriptures, quotes from Church fathers, contemporary writings, scientific findings (as appropriate), and more. The book closes with an appropriate epilogue, casting the joy-filled light of the resurrection on a modern story of martyrdom which to the world seems to be only a tragedy.

The author admits that it took her five years to write this book from beginning to end. This was not because she had to search for so long to find all the right quotes or because she only has to write in the few moments left here and there to a wife/mother (who also happens to be a Coptic priest’s wife). Rather, she took five years to write the book because, at one point as she was writing, she found herself not practicing joy. She wanted the book to be genuine, tested, lived, so she set the writing aside and worked on her heart. It was worth her wait. The text is a smooth blend of stories, practical advice, and wisdom founded on the strong base of Scripture and the wisdom of the Church fathers.

If you are generally a joyful person, read this book. It will give you reasons to continue choosing joy, as well as tools to boost your not-so-joyful days. If you are a complainer and grouch, say a prayer and then read this book, but prepare to change your attitude. Ms. Mikhail’s challenge is difficult to dodge, because the scriptures and Church fathers are pretty straightforward. Regardless of the attitude of their heart at the beginning of the book, readers will step away from it with a smile on their face and - better yet - with joy in their heart.

Don’t let the child-friendly size fool you: it may be small, but this little book is gold. Its engaging illustrations paired with text which gently nudges readers towards repentance make each of its 104 pages invaluable. The book is divided into color-coded sections including a welcome; what confession is; preparing for confession; self-examination; prayers and scriptures to read while waiting for confession; a prayer after confession; a note for parents; and an extensive glossary explaining difficult terms found elsewhere in the book.

The book acknowledges that there are many ways to prepare for confession. The editors decided to focus on 1 Corinthians 13 for this book. God is Love, so it follows that Orthodox Christians prepare for confession by looking at their actions in light of love to see how they measure up, discover where they have fallen short, then repent and confess those shortfalls. Each phrase of the scripture is appropriately illustrated and is followed by a number of child-friendly questions related to the phrase.

Throughout the book, Nicholas Malara’s illustrations offer glimpses into the lives of Orthodox children who are interacting with the Church and their world. The illustrations make the book more accessible to young children, and more delightful for older children. They truly bring Orthodoxy to life for a child (and a few even include a subtle touch of humor that will make the reader smile!).

This book is a must-have for any Orthodox Christian family. It will help children to embrace confession, and walk them through the entire process, from beginning to prepare for confession all the way to the rejoicing that follows. Children of all ages (parents included!) will benefit from preparing their hearts for confession with this little gem.

"No one who has not submersed himself for a long time (say, two years minimum) in the Psalms can truly understand their primary quality: strength. They can bear the whole weight of one’s life in the same instant they can go on carrying the weight of the countless millions in all ages of earth who have before prayed them: for once you pray them you enter into them forever; and there, in them, you find living all those who have also always entered so. This is why our Lord entered. It is also where He can be found now, always”

The late, great poet, churchman, and scholar Donald Sheehan’s The Shield of Psalmic Prayer: Reflections on Translating, Interpreting, and Praying the Psalter (edited by Xenia Sheehan) has been another fantastic release from Ancient Faith Publishing.* Like the author, I am an ardent advocate for all Christians to enter into a life of prayer through the Psalms. The Shield of Psalmic Prayer is the result of a deeper entry into the Psalms—which is to say precisely into the presence of Christ through song and poem—than I myself know. In this work, Xenia, has compiled a testimony to the transformational role the Psalms can play in all of our lives and played in her late husband’s—I am extremely grateful that she has so thoughtfully compiled this set of reflections, essays, and notes.

Donald Sheehan not only prayed the Psalms daily for decades like many Orthodox Christians (outdoing most of us “in the world” and praying the entire Psalter in the style of monastics!), he translated the Psalter from the Septuagint and compared this against the Hebrew. Scriptural translation, he notes, in the Orthodox tradition is always framed on the one hand by the catastrophe of the disintegration of language at Babel and on the other by what we might call a “eucatastrophe” (to repurpose Tolkien’s word) of the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which rendered the proclamation of the gospel comprehensible to each in his own tongue. His translation, The Psalms of David: Translated from the Septuagint Greek (Wipf & Stock, 2013), is beautiful and poetic—and probably worthy of its own review on this blog some day. Selections of his translation are found in the book, and the reader will notice that under Sheehan’s able hand, there’s no trade-off between a modern freshness in translation and the familiarity of the Psalms as we are accustomed to them in our life of prayer and worship.

Some of the book can seem fairly technical, dealing with matters of language and translation that might cause the eyes of a non-specialist to glaze over; I suggest that even in these technicalities there is much spiritual profit to be found for all of us. It is helpful, for example, to understand the range of meanings behind a particular word in its original Greek or Hebrew, or to note how a particular phrase should call us to an occurrence in the Torah or in the Gospel; it deepens our ability to enter into the Psalms in our prayer and reinforces the centrality of Christ in the Psalms. At times, Sheehan focuses intently on other technicalities, like the structure of a Psalm. This, too, only enhances our own understanding of our life in Christ: e.g., “the chiastic heart of any psalm is to walk away in full repentance from ungodliness.” Rather than distracting us from the content of the Psalms, Sheehan helps us understand the genius of the righteous King and Prophet David’s beautiful poetry.

Apart from sometimes touching on technical aspects of translation and structure, this book demonstrates a solid grounding in the liturgical, ascetic, and Patristic tradition of the Orthodox Church, as well as a thorough knowledge of how the Psalms have been understood in Judaism before Christ and after Rabbinic Judaism delineated itself more clearly against those followers of “the Way” who believed in Christ’s Messiahship. Though sometimes scholarly in his approach, Donald Sheehan doesn’t write about faith and the application of the Psalms in a life of prayer like a man who has merely read about what the Saints tell us about spiritual warfare, but with the clear voice of someone who has contended with God and against the Powers and Principalities through serious and difficult times (and who has found the respite and peace in the Lord’s joy)—in this manner, he calls to mind the clarity of Mother Alexandra, who also writes with remarkable refinement and from experience. Never fear, dear reader, because the writing is incredibly lucid and there is a glossary for all the terms you may not have encountered in your own struggles in the faith. Tying all of this together are a number of personal reflections and anecdotes, memories and ideas, Rabbinic & Scriptural & Patristic quotations, and poetic turns of phrase that show us these writings are nothing like an academic-theological treatise on the Psalms but rather a tool in our life of spiritual warfare—a means for us to begin using the Psalms, or rather Psalmic prayer, against our spiritual enemies as a shield of defense “with such strength that the enemy’s sword breaks against” it.

The Shield of Psalmic Prayer is a good book for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the Psalms. If you don’t pray the Psalms regularly as part of your own rule of prayer, this book may inspire you to do so. If you already pray the Psalms, this book will certainly impact your consideration of them. This volume pairs well with strong tea and Fr Patrick Henry Reardon’s Christ in the Psalms (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2011). The inspired reader is encouraged to consult one’s priest, confessor, pastor, or spiritual director on how to incorporate the Psalms into one’s rule of prayer.