I love this book so much, when I listen as I go to sleep I always have a better night. This morning I replayed it and noticed things that I didn't remember hearing before. It is this edition that is being read from. I had to have the hard copy, and it looks very well made and beautiful. Wonderful pictures, too.

It’s marketed for kids but in a 32 year old catechumen and I loved the visual representation of this calendar poster.

This is the perfect size for traveling and is beautiful. My only complaint was that one of the hinges was bent and I had to straighten it. Other than that it’s perfect.

Very pleased with purchase.

A compact, evocative, and thought-provoking read. In this meditative book, Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon explores themes of vice and virtue by examining examples of ne’er-do-wells from the Bible. Some examples will be well-known (Eve, Cain, Esau), but others force the reader to think more deeply about their inclusion (Uzzah, Abimelech, Peter). Fr. Reardon uses each example to illustrate a significant point regarding vice and virtue. While not all of these will apply to each person, everyone will be able to find several to which they are prone to succumb. Each chapter is rather brief, making it perfect for a short devotional or discussion prompt. Personally, I found myself pausing after finishing one chapter or section and saying “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” Besides the examples themselves, Fr. Reardon’s introduction and afterward perfectly bookend this volume. In the introduction, Fr. Reardon discusses topology in an easily accessible manner that prepares the reader for the journey ahead. In his afterward, he reminds the reader of what is truly important in this life of spiritual struggle and offers a great deal of encouragement. Readers can look forward to a well-written and accessible volume covering many of the “bad examples” that will encourage you to look inward and see where you might be a bad example yourself.

Easy to follow and yet rich in content to keep my academic brain engaged! Have not actually finished yet but it is excellent and helpful, especially as a convert. I converted to Orthodoxy 12 years ago but did not have a formal catechism and did more independent reading. This text is great for helping a Western minded person find more richness in the faith and understand the Orthodox teachings more deeply.

Icon, by Alabama author Georgia Briggs, is a stirring dystopian story told from an explicitly Orthodox Christian point of view. Briggs succeeds brilliantly in melding her faith with her genre. If I am not mistaken, this was her first novel, ergo, her success is an amazing achievement and a great testament to her ability.

In Icon, young Euphrosyne learns that an innocent mistake at school quickly leads to death, oppression, and terror. Some might find the plot initially confusing, especially since it unfolds in the new and grand “Era of Tolerance”. However, others will wisely recall that tolerance was one of the chief sins of King Jeroboam.

Euphrosyne, her family, and her friends find themselves living in an occupied state that tolerates everything … except Christianity. Clinging to tradition in this new age results in brutal and relentless intolerance. Briggs does a fine and fascinating job portraying how the repression transpires and how it affects those caught in the crosshairs. That she does this so convincingly from the primary perspective of a twelve-year-old girl is very impressive. But the choice of Euphrosyne’s eyes should not necessarily be surprising because, while all people suffer under tyranny, perhaps none are so afflicted as children. The real world gives us constant, daily reminders of that sad fact for those willing to see them.

I will leave the hows and whys behind the rise of Brigg’s draconic fool’s paradise for the discovery of the reader—and the reader will thoroughly enjoy the journey of revelation. Yet I will say I thought Briggs’s moniker for those in control of the new Alabama and new America was a poignant bit of genius. She took an old and famous name from America’s nineteenth-century transcendent enlightenment and progressed it forward to a fanciful but very natural and plausible zenith.

Plausibility. Interestingly, Briggs wrote Icon in 2017, eight years before I read it. Those eight years have been packed with incidents and trends that should have dropped the veils or blinders from many American and Western eyes. In short, only the truly blind (or the complicit) do not, at this point in our history, begin to at least suspect that something has gone very wrong. A century before Briggs’s pen crafted her tale so artfully, J.B. Bury was busy lauding what he thought were the then-present achievements of the Enlightenment and the coming golden age of free thinking and tolerance, the triumph over Christianity and tradition. See A History of Freedom of Thought (1913). As the entirety of the Enlightenment was a lie and a rank inversion, things didn’t work out exactly as promised. Instead of a peaceful, happy Shangri-la, today’s America sees Christians beaten and imprisoned for praying in public. America openly and even proudly supports, funds, and participates in war and genocide against multiple parties of the innocent around the world, a sizeable portion of them Christians. It is not too far a stretch, certainly within fiction, to foresee an America that openly exterminates Christians.

In addition to a moving, alarming story of warning, Briggs also provides an antidote. At certain points in Icon, particularly at the end, I found myself silently hoping for stern physical retaliation from the oppressed or liberating action from outside parties. I will divulge that as the Orthodox Believers of Alabama are hunted, Russian Spetsnaz troops do not arrive to save the day. But Briggs had a far better idea. Someone does show up at the end, and there is no earthly substitute for the deliverance and compassion he brings to Euphrosyne. It is a miracle in a book full of miracles. Just when all feels lost, the young protagonist wins the ultimate fight, via her Christian faith and her acknowledged (if not so-named) eschatological optimism. “[Y]ou lived well,” she is told. Indeed, she survives in glory and learns the true meaning behind Jesus’s reassurance when He said, “If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated Me before you. …[B]ut I have chosen you out of the world...” John 15:18-19.

Briggs salvages eternal beauty out of tragedy and perfidious horror. Her plot, purpose, scenes, and settings are vivid, valid, and believable. Her characters bring to life the best and worst of human behavior and capability. As for the good potential within Christians, she delivers with convincing eloquence stern adherents to our faith who are, despite all else, joyous, reflective, defiant, zealous, and selfless. For a shorter work, and one marketed for the young adult audience, the spiritual lessons within Icon are astounding. Oh, and THE icon is as much a character, as much a hero as he is a title!

For all these reasons, and for those the reader will find beneath the cover, I happily recommend Icon by Georgia Briggs. I also recommend buying a few extra copies to give as gifts to children, grandchildren, students, parish friends, neighbors, or any other young people the reader might know and care about. Help spread the word.

Deo vindice.

I never tire of reading about the lives of the Saints, and “Orthodox Saints of Wales” by Oswin Craton does not disappoint. Covering a sample of Welsh saints from the first through the seventh centuries, Craton offers insight into the beauty of the Christian faith as it flourished in Wales during the early centuries of the Church’s history.

The author readily admits that much of the early history of Christianity in Wales was lost during the English Reformation, but has researched and pieced together accounts from multiple sources in order to give us a peek into the lives of some of the early Welsh saints whose stories have been remembered and documented in one form or another.

Though the book is not written specifically to their age groups (2-12 yo) our grandchildren have enjoyed hearing the accounts read aloud. The readings, often enough, lead to discussions regarding our own lives and how we live the Christian life in our own time and culture.

I highly recommend this delightful little book—for the beautiful lives it portrays, as well as the little slices of history one gets to view in the reading.

Reading this book has been a great experience for my daughter's and I." A Child’s Guide to the Psalms" is written in such a way that’s both thoughtful and easy for children and parents to connect with. The tone is gentle, clear, and approachable, and yet it doesn’t water anything down. What I love about it is that it draws kids into the depth and beauty of the Psalms in a way that feels real and comforting.

What stood out to me the most is how it encourages children not just to read the Psalms, but to actually PRAY them and think about how they speak to their own experiences. The reflections are rooted in the Orthodox faith, and they offer a sense of peace that makes this book perfect for morning devotionals, bedtime, or just quiet time during the day.

The illustrations are soft and reverent, similar to the other "Child's Guide" books. As both a parent and a teacher, I’m grateful for a resource like this as it helps draw children and myself into the prayer life of the Church. I recommend!

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I’ve learned so much as an adult about the Psalms and where they are in the liturgical service. I looking forward to reading it again with my family.

Since the Psalms permeate our Liturgy, Orthros, and Vespers services, children are often very familiar with particular verses, like the voices of old friends. This little volume not only includes a selection of the Psalms themselves, but also seeks to put them into context for young readers (ages 8-14), detailing the life of King David and exploring various themes found in the Psalms. The author also explains when it is especially appropriate to recite the Psalms (such as the death of a loved one). Gentle illustrations adorn many of the pages, a feast for the eyes as well as the spirit. A well-designed Glossary defines terms found in the Psalms which might be unfamiliar to children (ie, "chaff," "girded," "scoffers"). It's a great addition to this series of little books, perfect for those with small hands and big hearts.

Every short story hits a nerve either from personal experience or those of others. Absolutely delightful; easy to read; and leaves you wanting more.

This wonderful book gives a whole new perspective to how God and Jesus Christ enjoin humanity. Immediately one gains the feeling that the spirits or all are just over our shoulders and around us, helping out and watchful over us and too, not so happy about our sinfulness. It is a story of close connection that I had lost touch with over the years as a protestant and especially as a busy worker, and now regaining coming to Orthodoxy

AMAZING. ICONS INCREDIBLE. Reading the Psalms is PERFECT FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

Our kids (<5) love this book. As soon as we got it they've asked me to read it multiple times

I purchased this cross as a birthday gift for my son, and was thoroughly pleased at every step of the process. The transaction was flawless, the package arrived on time (and was well-packed), and my son absolutely loved it! Bravo!

Father Patrick packs a mighty punch in a small book! This has been a fantastic read for when I have limited amounts of time, but huge thoughts to ponder and points to walk away with. Father Patrick makes his points in an educated fashion, but also includes a relatable sense of humor. I have enjoyed also being able to take his snippets of wisdom and share them with my children as they are learning and growing in their Orthodox faith. The short chapters make this book perfect for the bedside or the purse to bring along when you have a few minutes to keep you busy. This has been a spiritually challenging, yet enjoyable read. I would recommend this for a catechumen or a cradle Orthodox!

a quality item; our pastor gives them to the inquirers and potential catechumens of our parish: www.stbasilsinirving.org

Excellent Read. We seldom think of the Hidden Realm that surrounds us with both good and evil. Thank the Lord for the protection of the Holy Spirit, Who gives us the discernment to judge that which is trying to influence us.

We don’t know much about very early Christianity in Wales and what we do know of often called into question. This book is honest about that and provides a wonderful chronological overview of the pre-schism saints of Wales. I’ve always thought of Wales as a kind of fantastical place full of mystery and this book brings that energy. It is more than just a hagiography. You really get the sense of how remote Wales really was in the early centuries of the Church. It’s really miraculous that She was able to take hold in this place. The chapters vary in length, but even the longest chapter is only a few pages so you could read this with your kids. My one quibble is that the pronunciation guide is a little sparse. I think what might’ve worked better is a name by name breakdown so you don’t need to keep flipping to the back every time a new name pops up. Otherwise, great book!