The Orthodox Children’s Press has a lovely picture book about the light of Pascha. The Light by Presvytera Angela Alatzakis walks with a child through the black night of Holy Saturday, into the darkened church, and slowly through the glorious services of Pascha. The focus of the book is on the light that each parishioner receives (and then takes with them to share with the world) to remind them of the Light of Christ.
The book is (appropriately) very darkly illustrated at the beginning, as both the world and the church are dark at the beginning of the Paschal services. The gently engaging illustrations gradually brighten, as the light is shared from priest to parishioner, across the parish, and then outside and around the neighborhood… Until the whole world is saying “Christ is risen!” in their own languages, and the reader’s own heart lights up with joy as they anticipate that moment once again.
This book will be a valuable Lenten/Paschal resource for anyone working with children. It will likely be read by families year after year, as together they anticipate (and prepare to receive) the light of Pascha. It will also be helpful to Church school teachers who want to teach their students about the Paschal services, so that they can better participate in the events.
In how many languages can you say “Christ is risen” after reading this book? And why do many Orthodox Christians take their light home, to keep it for a long time? Read the book to find out!
Find a copy at the following sites based on your needs: orders of multiple copies (5+, may be a combination of titles from The Orthodox Children’s Press) can be placed at https://www.orthodoxchildrenspress.com/product/the-light-paperback; orders of 1-4 copies should be placed at https://www.amazon.com/Light-Angela-Alatzakis/dp/0991216466/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RU43M3K5RSPP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ErB9elfUHm8SnxjlpK8YvYGsPEYdfhM1302BnCMchhu6tC9SOsxuQ-5vq-4mwrEMc-61njmDuEBBFjx1pMpH8tmyWkpLrDWU2HmKNkX0bJ8.yjPWMjVy0H-D-P_ZgVvDnEYFa4m2Ps-fQhRvXQePqbo&dib_tag=se&keywords=Alatzakis&qid=1713287210&sprefix=alatzakis%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks the Orthodox Children’s 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.
Orthodox Christian Parenting 