I highly recommend this book for anyone who has wanted to read some of the works of the Holy Fathers but didn't know where to start. This book provides samples of the writings of the Holy Fathers along with guidance on how to read them, and in the appendices, there is a recommended reading list.

I bought this to help with my prayer life when traveling, and it is perfect! It shipped and arrived quickly after ordering, and the customer service was amazing.

the best prayer

The CD of The Divine Liturgy is filled with beautiful singing praising Almighty God. It is worth having in your CD collection!

In this book, Brandi Willis Schreiber tells - as only she can - the story of an island (and a plover, some marram grass, a rabbit, and the sea…), gently setting the stage for the moment when St. Aidan crosses the bridge of sand onto the island at low tide, and decides to dwell there. This book is imbued with awe and unexpected lessons along the way.

St. Aidan is clearly the right human inhabitant for the island. His love for God, respect for nature, and care for other beings is almost as noteworthy as his determination to not live a life of luxury. Readers will be inspired by his kind commitment to serving God and his fellow human beings, and they may find themselves observing the world around them with increased zeal, after seeing the island through his eyes.

This book will make a great family read-aloud. It will also work well in a classroom or Sunday church school class over a period of multiple lessons. Or it could be a delightful book study for middle-grade students who wish to start a book club of their own.

It is this reader’s opinion that all who read it will be glad that they did.

I really love these cards ! They are a great illustration of the Way the Truth and the Life (Jesus Christ of Nazareth) The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. As the apostle Paul tells us in the first letter to the Corinthians, "God chose the foolish things to confound the wise" ; which is so obvious in today's world, as so many are" professing themselves to be wise and are becoming fools "(also from Paul - to the Romans )

My son’s saint name is Aidan. This book was great to read leading up to his name day. We really enjoyed it!

I received a copy of this to review, and it is really a lovely little book. Notice how the title says "The island AND Saint Aidan?" not "The island OF Saint Aidan?" That's because this book tells the story of how the "island" receives Saint Aidan just as much as how he comes to it. Orthodox Christian theology affirms the goodness of creation and its importance as part of God's original work of redemption. One sign of this is the harmony between many saints and plants and animals around them. This book communicates that harmony beautifully, by telling the stories of the sand, the grass, the ocean, the rabbits, and so on from their own point of view. They realize Aidan is a different sort of man than the ones they have encountered. It’s beautifully written and illustrated in pen-and-ink drawings, and it would be a delight to read aloud to children ages 5 and up, and children around 8-10 could read it for themselves.

Having grown-up on an island myself that was connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway in the swamps of Central Florida, this book drew me in simply by the setting. The way that Schreiber weaves the perspectives of each character experiencing the same action, that she explains are all under the eye of God, will captivate young audiences.

I have been reading this with my five-year-old son in the evenings and there has not been a where we have only read one chapter. He always asks “just one more Mama?” As a family who grows a garden, loves animals, knows the saints, and visits the ocean for vacation, my son has been captivated by the description of the island and the things that live upon it.

As a history teacher, I also appreciate the section in the back of the book that expands on the life of St Aidan and gives context to the exploration that takes place in the book.

This young middle grade novel will peak the interest of nature loving 7-10 year olds who also want to learn more about Christianity in the British Isles. Possibly younger kids (3-6) who are advanced readers or who like to cuddle on a lap and be read to.

My husband and I regularly use this prayer book and like it so much that we have purchased extra copies for gifts. Highly recommend!

Very nice to given as a baptismal gift

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Along with my husband, I was blessed to attend a retreat by David Ford on marriage, and this was given to us as a gift, as part of our registration. My husband and I read it together in the morning at the breakfast table. This is the best book about saints that I have ever read! I am so inspired that marriage is indeed, a path to holiness, and the example of these married saints are testimony to that! Some exerpts are shorter than others, as we know less about them, but always give us inspiration and information that sets our day in a proper frame of mind! In July we read lengthier portion about the Passion Bearers Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandra that were so touching, along with Grand Duchess Elisabeth, whom we can know much about!

As others have said, I am ordering extra copies now to give as wedding gifts and presents. Thank you, David and Mary Ford, for a book that is blessing us incredibly!

Fr. Lawrence always hits it out of the ball park. He has a wonderful way of combining deep, scriptural and patristic understanding, but also with great personal depth and application. He offers no glib platitudes, but understanding and comfort combined. Thank you once again, Fr. Lawrence.

Absolutely high quality, by far the best Bible I have ever had, the fact that I get to read the Bible and then read notes from church Fathers and Saints is absolutely amazing. I believe everyone should have this Bible 10/10

I’m a believer of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Every day I read the Bible in Church Slavonic. I wanted to learn English and decided to read Bible in English too. I began from ESV, but doubts arose, still the translation is not blessed by the Orthodox Church. I found the Orthodox Study Bible, decided to buy. I really liked it, especially commentaries of the Holy Fathers. Thank you!

Short and to the point. Quite readable. Much needed in our present time. Quotes from the Church Fathers is gold!

This bookmark is a beautiful way to share the Jesus prayer.

Great back to school blessings

I have had a strong devotion to St. Raphael for many years, even before he was offoicially canonized a Saint. I have a suggestion for an iconographer, a larger icon of St. Raphael with scenes from his life around the edge. I love this icon because it shows a "real" everyday event in St. Raphael's life as a Bishop in the United States.

Great variety! Very meaningful cards!