A Glimpse at “Dyed in Murex: the Mystery of the Porphyry Codex” by Evgenia Hatzithanasi-Reppa

Newrome Press’ first ever Young Adult novel, Dyed in Murex: the Mystery of the Porphyry Codex by Evgenia Hatzithanasi-Reppa, is a beautiful contribution to the world of Orthodox Christian historical fiction. Part history book, part vocabulary lesson, part mystery, part socio-economic study, sharing tidbits of wisdom along the way; this book blends all of the above into a riveting story that leaves the reader struggling to put it down.

First published in Greek in 2022, this book is carefully translated by Sister Rafailia Kaparelis. It provides (occasional) helpful footnotes as needed, to explain unfamiliar terms or important historical background. Dyed in Murex is instructive in Orthodox Christian history while also offering a variety of perspectives that help the reader to better understand both sides of numerous issues addressed in the story. While it teaches the reader and expands their horizons, the story subtly draws the reader in, and they feel as though they have just stepped back into the Byzantine Empire, to Constantinople, in the early 800s…

Who is Andronikos, and why does his army-commander father respond to him as he does? Why would an aristocrat like Andronikos care what happens to the peasant family including Eirini? When is Andronikos charged with delivering something of inestimable value to the Empress Theodora, and how on earth will he (and anyone who tries to help him) ever find it, in order to do so? Who will stop at nothing to halt the veneration of icons, and how does that affect Andronikos as he matures into a young man?

In addition to answering these questions while traveling across time, readers will glean wisdom as they read and ponder nuggets hidden throughout the book, including the following:

• “Strength is not just required for battling enemies. Strength is also needed for small everyday things. Virtue, too, demands resilience and bravery.” (p. 95)
• “What good were wealth, status, and position in society when there was no respect, understanding, or love at home?” (pp. 201-202)
• “Jealousy is a terrible emotion. It sneaks into the mind imperceptibly as a mere tiny thought, which, if unchecked, soon strengthens and grows… its victory only becomes final once it raises its banner in the heart. At this point, the jealousy tightens its grip so completely and so painfully that the person who initially lost his mind now loses his soul.” (p. 281)

Youth and adults alike will find the answers to the above questions and many more thought-provoking treasures when they read Dyed in Murex: the Mystery of the Porphyry Codex, which is available here: https://newromepress.com/dyed-in-murex/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Little Steps: Climbing the Ladder for Little Ones” by Kathryn Reetzke, Illustrated by Yostina Kaoud

Just in time for Great Lent, Park End Books has published an engaging board book that encourages each of its readers to climb closer to God. Little Steps: Climbing the Ladder for Little Ones, written by Kathryn Reetzke, and illustrated by Yostina Kaoud, follows ordinary children through their everyday activities. It shows how, with even small actions, each of us can take a step up the ladder, closer to God.

Orthodox Christians who are familiar with St. John Climacus’ work The Ladder of Divine Ascent and/or the icon by the same name will recognize the imagery on which this book is based. However, this book is appropriate for any Christian who is hoping to guide their children to climb closer to Christ. Whether they are sharing, admiring God’s beautiful world, basking in the beauty of Church, or even cleaning up their own spills, each character in this book illustrates how it is possible even for children to step closer to Christ in everything that they do.

Reetzke’s simple wording is easy for young children to understand, and Kaoud’s brightly colored illustrations add much joy to the reading experience. Each character in this book is different, but beautiful, and they are doing familiar things that will resonate well with young readers. Whether they’re in church, in school, outside playing, or inside praying, the children in these pages are climbing the ladder and encouraging the reader to do the same. Readers of all ages will be encouraged to keep climbing as they read.

Find your copy of this book at: https://parkendbooks.com/shop/little-steps/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Park End Books for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith” by Ellen Karis, Illustrated by Kristina Tartara

Godparents are an important part of each Orthodox Christian’s life. Children who were baptized and chrismated as infants, however, may not remember the beautiful way in which they attained Godparents and became a Godchild. Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith, written by Ellen Karis, and illustrated by Kristina Tartara, offers an easy-to-follow overview of these beautiful sacraments and of Godfamily life. 

Beginning with the baptism of Christ, Ellen Karis talks her readers through the baptismal process, including the sacrament of Chrismation. She explains the contributions that Godparents make to their Godchild’s baptismal service (this text and illustrations are based on Greek traditions, so these may differ slightly among other jurisdictions). She also provides insight into the many beautiful ways in which Godparents continue to provide for their Godchild’s needs throughout their life. 

Kristina Tartara’s delightful illustration style enhances this book and adds much to the text. Through her art, readers watch little “Eleni” (the main character, who is named only in the illustrations) in each part of her baptismal service. Throughout the rest of the book, they see her grow up, following her and her Godparents until she is an adult. Through both the text and the illustrations of this book, readers will also note how caringly Eleni’s Godparents support and love her over the years. 

Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith can benefit Orthodox Christians of a variety of ages. While the book is written for Orthodox children who were baptized as infants, to help them better understand what happened, it will also be a good review for older children whose family converted to Orthodoxy. The book may be primarily written for children, but it also extends a myriad of great ideas for adult Godparents, showing ways in which they can support and teach their Godchildren. Families and Church schools alike will benefit from reading and discussing this book together.

Get your own copy of the book here:  https://www.amazon.com/Special-People-Godparents-Orthodox-Christian/dp/0578821958/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks the author for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “Stories from the Gerontikon”, designed and illustrated by Christos Gousidis

Newrome Press’ book Stories from the Gerontikon is part graphic novel, part illustrated storybook, and tells many stories from the Gerontikon. (“A book that tells about the community of saintly men, and their exploits towards spiritual progress.”~ St. Photios the Great, quoted in the prologue of the book.) This book is full of stories of holy desert elders, their love for God, their determination, their failures, and their learnings. Christos Gousidis has illustrated each story with one or more pictures that help to bring it to life. Many stories have a one-sentence summary or nugget of truth to ponder at the end of the story.

How does the young monk John’s obedience to his elder, in a very difficult assignment, show fruit? 

What asceticism does a city-dweller teach to an old and holy monk?

How does God use a beggar to help Abba Agathonas?

In what way does a compassionate monk turn the anger of his frustrated fellow monks into love?

Where does pride often hide when we are trying to become more holy?

Who needed a pillow? And why didn’t the basket burn?

Find the answers to all of these questions, and more, in Stories from the Gerontikon! After many pages of stories, the book offers a few activity pages, where the reader can interact with some of the graphics in the stories. It ends with a blank “graphic novel” page and an invitation to illustrate one of three other stories (also from the Gerontikon). Readers who complete the illustrations are invited to send a photo of their work to Newrome Press, to be entered into an annual drawing for an icon of St. Paisios the Athonite!

This book will offer older children, teens, and adults much to ponder. It is full of the wisdom of the elders, and the reader will find much to learn within its pages. Stories from the Gerontikon will be an interesting read for an individual, but will be even better if it is read with others, so that its stories and truths can be discussed. Readers will likely want to re-visit the book every few years, to see what new gleanings they can gather from the wisdom of these desert elders.

Purchase your own copy here: https://newromepress.com/stories-from-the-gerontikon/

The Department of Christian Education thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.