Going through a rough time. I let the Holy Spirit guide me in searching for a book. I have enjoyed reading and pray that it will help me in the future.

It was a great companion during the first weeks of the Triodion. Thirty steps met and exceeded my expectation. It was a great companion during the first weeks of the Triodion. Each step was beautifully reviewed and represented making succeeding steps zealous to get to. Fr. Vassilios explained and surmised each recurring step for the reader eloquently.

Very well done for those interested in this topic

So, far, every recipe we have tried, has been a hit. This is THE book to have on hand as an Orthodox Family. Especially helpful to have recipes that end up making 'family size' plus leftovers portions.

Great book! Highly recommend!

An excellent, clearly written book, which helps differentiate the Roman Catholic and Orthodox theologies.

KI've known the author for years, a great individual and a great devotional.

(This review is for the $19.95 soft cover version.)

A lovely medium-compact book that is substantial but not too heavy. Very easy to hold, and fits in my handbag. Although soft cover, it's a firm book, not floppy. So it holds up well in my handbag or while in my hands.

The print is great, I cannot read most books without my glasses but I can read this fine. The cover is a lovely faux leather cardboard in rich plum that looks and feels lovely. And the gold imprinting is a lovely metallic gold.

The pages are regular paper and so they are sturdy. This also means there is no bleed-through of text from the other side of the page which is a big help!

The arrangement of the psalms is 100% straight forward. At long last, a Psalter I can use Saturday - Saturday without flipping back and forth all over the book to find this or that bit to read!

No confusion: the table of contents has it laid out for each day of the week, look up the day, the specific hour of prayer (Matins or Vespers), turn to the page # given, viola! Begin to recite the Psalms for that day and time. SO SIMPLE!

I have spent nearly 20 years trying to weave the Psalter into my every day life but with very little success due to the complicated and confusing layout of various other versions. FINALLY I have exactly what I need and from this day forward this Psalter will be my dear companion!

This book contains basic easy instructions. I'm following the wise advice to only recite 1 Stasis for each time of prayer (Matins, Vespers) so that I don't overwhelm myself.

There's plenty of prayer in this book to keep a person going, but the advice is good: Regularity is more important then volume in praying the Psalter. (pg. 8)

Please extend my deepest gratitude to the Orthodox Monks that put this treasure of a book together. Thank you and may God reward you for your charity in doing this!

P.S. I am a Catholic and I have no trouble using this book. A quick search of what Kathisma and Stasis means and you'll soon understand. That and the simple layout of the book means anyone can use this lovely Psalter.

May God bless you!

I recently had the opportunity to read the charming children’s book “In the Candle’s Glow” – written by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson and beautifully illustrated by Amandine Wanert. As an Orthodox mother and backyard beekeeper, this book tackled two subjects near and dear to my heart. The story starts out following along with a worker bee out gathering nectar from flowers and returning to the hive to share the nectar with another bee, who turns it into beeswax. The hive turns out to be at an Orthodox monastery, where one of the nuns collects the wax (this part is explained in a manner which will make sense to children, even though the beekeeper in me knows there are more steps to the process) and turns the wax into candle tapers. At this point in the book, we meet the lovely child Felicia, whose childlike joy and faith shine through. Felicia carefully chooses the candle we just read about having been made, and lights it for the liturgy. She makes her cross and says a prayer… and then another. All of her prayers fit in the candle’s glow and the gentle breeze coming in the window (similar to the one carrying the bee aloft in the first part of the story) carry her prayers to God. At the end of the story, one finds prayers for the blessing of bees and candles as well as a bit about Orthodox saints known for their beekeeping. I loved the imagery and story-telling of this sweet book. One could look deeper at the aspect of the feminine in the circle of the worker bee to the nun to our protagonist Felicia. But that would be over-thinking a children’s book aimed at reminding our children (and us) as readers that God is present in all parts of Creation and that He is constantly bringing everything full circle for our salvation. From the breeze to the bees, to the hive and beekeeper, to the monastery and hand-dipped candles, to the liturgy and the faithful child who knows God is listening to her prayers. May the book bring joy and faith to all those who read it and enjoy the amazing illustrations throughout!

O, how I wish I had this book when my family and I first started fasting about 18 years ago. It could've helped me to worry less during the fasting seasons of the Church--all the 'what on earth will I cook,' 'what will I pack my husband to eat for lunch,' and 'are the kids getting enough protein' kind of worries. This book could've saved us from living off of french fries, frozen garden burgers, ramen noodles and PB & J during those first years, too.

In Fasting As A Family, Melissa draws from her experience as a mama of 11, a seasoned cook, food blogger, and professional recipe developer to break down the different aspects of preparing for and maintaining the fast. I am certain even single men and women would benefit from Melissa's wisdom. She discusses budgets, and ways to get in needed protein and nutrients without going broke (who hasn't frustratingly spent more on food during fasts instead of less?!). Melissa also provides helpful information about stocking the pantry, making a meal planner, and a section for people with special needs in their diets (i.e. food allergies). There is also a great selection of recipes, including ideas for food on the go, snacks, and fast friendly food for special occasions.

I have a family of 12, and we have been fasting for a long time. I am glad to have this helpful resource and highly recommend it.

Just what you need to give your life perspective in this crazy world we live in.

Excellent book! Gave me a foundation for understanding The Orthodox Faith. I am going to buy each of my sons a copy for Easter.
Darlene

Great to have something to think on every day! I have the attention span of a gnat, so this is just what the doctor ordered. Enjoyable and Helpful! Thanks Father Barnabas!

Easy read. Tangible, realistic advice on how to live in the presence of God, and how to provide that to others, in today's busy world where it is easy to forget that this is our goal!

A beautiful book with great information.

I love the way Angela writes - the way she crafts words can be startling, comforting, and familiar. I found that I was close to tears at several point... wanting so much to be more at peace with my body. This is a beautiful, honest, gentle book.

This book dances with joy. From the sweet scent of the bees wax to the dipping of the wicks in the golden hued wax- into the candle lit darkness before the faces of the Saints - a prayer rises from inside Felicia's candles flame circling upward , swirling joining one prayer to another, one person to another -heaven bound. Each page , quietly lovelier than the next. . It dances and soars. It is more than the sum of its parts. This book should be on every bookshelf - it is a gem. Buy it- you won't regret it!

I did not want to put this down./

So much wisdom!

Love the book