A Handful of Picture Books from The Orthodox Children’s Press

The Orthodox Children’s Press offers picture books that are simultaneously instructional and heartwarming. Presvytera Angela Alatzakis has written and illustrated each of these books, and the reader can hear her heart for children in the gentle and loving way that she teaches through each one. Whether she is defining “our Church,” reminding each child how they became a beloved member of that Church, or offering suggestions for how each of us can be the best kind of Orthodox Christian by making our cross and praying, Prevytera Angela writes and draws with compassion.

Our Church tells how a parish comes to be, and how the people in the parish are the community that makes it beautiful. She introduces individuals who are part of the parish in the book, showing how they contribute to that community and add to its beauty. Through the voice of the young narrator, Presvytera Angela encourages the reader (regardless of age) to see how they are contributing to their own community, and to look for even more ways to do so. Our Church helps its readers to better appreciate their own parish, welcome others into it, and find ways to contribute to the life of their community.

The Story of You is the lovingly-told tale of how a young child is anticipated, welcomed into the world, brought to the Church on the 40th day, then baptized and chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church. Presvytera Angela has written this book with parents as the narrators, speaking directly to their own child. Her gentle illustrations bring the story to life. Each child who hears (or reads) this story will know that they were loved and prayed for before they were even born, and that they are still loved and prayed for, every step of the way. They will better understand their early journey with God, and they will be reassured that He is with them always as they travel through life.

Every Time I Do My Cross visually walks beside a young boy as he goes through his day. He tells his own story, mentioning how every time he does his cross, it’s for something different. Sometimes he is being thankful. Sometimes he is asking God for help. Sometimes he’s wanting God to protect him, or keep him from being afraid. Sometimes he’s making the cross with others at home or at church. Other times he’s making it alone, on the soccer field, to remind himself to be the best Orthodox Christian that he can (even if his team doesn’t win). There is so much theology packed into this little book, and Presvytera Angela has written and illustrated it in such a way that young children can easily understand, and be encouraged to make their cross and pray when they come into similar situations.

Our Church, The Story of You, and Every Time I Do My Cross will be beneficial to each family that reads them together. It’s very likely that parents will be encouraged by these books, alongside their children. Sunday school teachers will find these three books helpful for certain lessons. If your parish has a library or a collection of books in the narthex for children to take into church with them, these three should be in those collections. The books are educational, but written so gently that the reader doesn’t feel that they are learning, and the illustrations are simple but engaging. All three of these books can be very helpful to have in hand.

Find copies of these three picture books 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; orders of 1-4 copies should be placed through Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAngela+Alatzakis&s=relevancerank&text=Angela+Alatzakis&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_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.  

“A Glimpse at Parenting Toward the Kingdom: a Companion Guide” by Kendra Hunter, Kristina Tartara, Stephanie Petrides, and Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Ancient Faith Publishing’s Parenting Toward the Kingdom: a Companion Guide is aptly named. It is both a companion and a guide to parents whose aim is to help their children toward the Kingdom of God. Intended as a study guide to be used alongside Dr. Philip Mamalakis’ well-received book Parenting Toward the Kingdom (read our 2017 review, https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/gleanings-from-a-book-parenting-toward-the-kingdom-by-dr-philip-mamalakis/), this spiral bound book both supports and extends the original book while also personalizing it for each reader. This companion guide was written by a team, Kendra Hunter, Kristina Tartara, and Stephanie Petrides (who each led a parenting group in their parish, discussing the original book), along with Dr. Philip Mamalakis. Their investment in the project is evident through the insights in the companion guide.

The guide is set up in 10 sessions, each focusing on one or more chapters of the original book. (The authors suggest that it may take more than one group gathering to do justice to one “session” in the guide, so discussion groups should be open to some flexibility in extending their session discussions as needed.) There’s a prayer to open each session that includes a different part of the “Akathist to the Mother of God: Nurturer of Children” each time. Following the opening prayer, there are eight different segments in every session that open the discussion. These include additional insights from Dr. Mamalakis. They also incorporate individual experiences, allow parents to reflect on their past actions, encourage individualized practice, help parents set goals for future actions, and briefly review the session’s learnings. There is ample room for readers to write down their own insights, ideas, and goals in the guide’s pages. Each session’s pages are sprinkled with relevant quotes from the original book.

Parenting Toward the Kingdom: a Companion Guide offers a practical way for parents to take a close look at their parenting, consider how to apply the principles in the original book within the context of their own home, and set themselves up for growth in parenting their children toward the Kingdom of God. The book is intended to be used in a group setting, so that parents can bounce ideas off each other and support each other in their ups and downs. In order to get the best benefit from this book, the reader will have to invest time and thought into each session. This companion guide will enable parents who make that investment to become better parents, and better lead their children towards the Kingdom of God.

Purchase your copy of Parenting Toward the Kingdom: a Companion Guide at https://store.ancientfaith.com/parenting-toward-the-kingdom-a-companion-guide/ 

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Ancient Faith Publishing 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.  

After reading the 2017 review of Parenting Toward the Kingdom (https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/gleanings-from-a-book-parenting-toward-the-kingdom-by-dr-philip-mamalakis/), and learning that there are six principles of child rearing which the Mamalakis family follows, you may wish to explore some or all of those principles a little deeper. We have linked our shorts posts for each principle below. May God help (and forgive!) all of us as we parent, grandparent, godparent, and otherwise raise His children towards His Kingdom!

1. Always parent with the end in mind. https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/on-orthodox-christian-principles-of-child-rearing-principle-1-always-parent-with-the-end-in-mind/
2. Respond, don’t react. https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/on-orthodox-christian-principles-of-child-rearing-principle-2-respond-dont-react/
3. Understand struggles in terms of the values and the virtues of the Kingdom of God. https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/on-orthodox-christian-principles-of-child-rearing-principle-3-understand-struggles-in-terms-of-the-values-and-the-virtues-of-the-kingdom-of-god/
4. Separate feelings from behaviors. https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/11/01/on-orthodox-christian-principles-of-child-rearing-principle-4-separate-feelings-from-behaviors/
5. Teach the joy of obedience. https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/11/15/on-orthodox-christian-principles-of-child-rearing-principle-5-teach-the-joy-of-obedience/
6. Teach the joy of repentance. https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/on-orthodox-christian-principles-of-child-rearing-principle-6-teach-the-joy-of-repentance/

A Glimpse at “The Light” by Presvytera Angela Alatzakis

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.  

A Glimpse at “You are an Orthodox Christian” by Theofanis Sawabe, Illustrated by Vladimir Ilievski

Newrome Press’ picture book, You are an Orthodox Christian, helps its readers to better understand who they are, and gives them the chance to learn why/how to better value their faith. Theofanis Sawabe begins the book with, “You are an Orthodox Christian. Do you know what that means?” He begins to answer his own question by taking a look at Orthodoxy’s family tree, which stretches all the way back to Christ and His apostles. 

Page by page, Sawabe shows how Orthodox Christians through the years have carried the Faith so that we, today, can be part of it. He tells of their kindness to strangers, their courage in the face of impossible situations, their steadfastness in maintaining the Faith. He continues into modern times, showing how Orthodox Christians continue to carry and share their faith as they are able. He emphasizes that the reader (who he calls “dear child”) is part of this big Orthodox family, and that they are inheritors of a great blessing: the Holy Orthodox Faith.

Vladimir Ilievski has illustrated this book in a truly Orthodox manner. Almost every page features a saint (or more) whose life illustrates the words on that page. Readers may easily recognize the saints, as they look similar to their icons, but the saints’ illustrations also beautifully fit the style of the rest of the illustrations in the book.

You are an Orthodox Christian concludes with an appendix of several pages that tell abbreviated life stories of those saints and notes which previous page of the book features their image. This book offers the opportunity for readers to come away from it better appreciating their faith. Readers will also have learned more about twenty of the Church’s saints!

This book will be an excellent resource to families or Church schools. It encourages its readers to not just appreciate their faith, but to carry it on (as so many others have) for the generations to come. It is a book about family, the family of the Orthodox Church.

Find your copy of You are an Orthodox Christian here: https://newromepress.com/you-are-an-orthodox-christian/ 

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.  

“The Ten Commandments: A Guide for Today’s Orthodox Christian Families” by Fr. George Shalhoub

Experienced priest, parent, and grandparent Fr. George Shalhoub has drawn on his lifetime of experience in his recently released book The Ten Commandments: A Guide for Today’s Orthodox Christian Families. Through his many years of experience as a father, both to his parish and to his own children, Fr. George acquired insights that he has included in his new book. A useful resource to Orthodox Christians of all ages, The Ten Commandments invites its readers on “a special journey of God’s love,” intended to help them “discover how to navigate life.”  

The book takes the reader through each of the Ten Commandments, exploring the teachings of Christ and the Church Fathers about each one. After each chapter, related Orthodox prayers offer readers the opportunity to respond. In the book’s text, Fr. George raises intriguing questions, like:

• How does “have no other gods before me” apply to today’s practical realities?
• What sort of idolatry do we practice today?
• How can remembering the Sabbath day help our family and neighbors, and set the stage for the week?
• Are there other ways to murder besides ending another’s life?
• Besides stealing someone’s property, how do we steal?
• Who are we actually lying to and belittling when we bear false witness?

An excellent resource for parents and teachers, The Ten Commandments offers a roadmap on the journey with Christ. There is much content here for discussion with children of all ages, whether it is used as a “read aloud” book with younger children, or a book that older children, teens, or adults read on their own.

“I urge you…,” concludes Fr. George at the end of the book, “to use these works as a foundational roadmap to creating balance in a changing world. Teaching your children to love God’s laws and find joy by walking in the footprints of our Lord Jesus Christ is a gift to them that will last a lifetime… [strengthening] them in these times of radical change and [improving] their relationships with God as well as with others.”

The Ten Commandments: A Guide for Today’s Orthodox Christian Families is available in paperback (email: gshalhoub@tbosm.com) or as a Kindle eBook on Amazon. Books may be purchased through the St. Mary Church office for $15.00, and the proceeds will be donated to the Archdiocese’s Christian Education Ministry or to the parish. Checks can be sent to: St. Mary Orthodox Church, 18100 Merriman, Livonia, MI 48152.

Christian Education Ministry spoke with Fr. George about his book release.

How did this begin–at what point in your family life or your ministry years did the need for this book became apparent?  

In all my life through my experiences addressing marriage and family issues in light of the four gospels as a parent, pastor, and professor, I have discovered there are many common elements in the problems families face, such as respect for one’s own parents and nurturing healthy family relationships. When the pandemic hit, attendance in church was greatly reduced, and I lost the opportunity to teach in person. Our children did not have access to Sunday School for three years! During that time, I began to write this book on the Ten Commandments–the principles one can live by. 

In the book you discuss how Christ has expanded each Commandment. How has Christ deepened our understanding of the Ten Commandements through His related commands?

Christ asked us to exceed what the Ten Commandments state. In other words, it is not enough to love family, not enough to help friends, and not enough to pray for the one you love. As an extension of His life, Christ calls us to help strangers, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who mistreat us.

How have the concepts that you present in this book affected your own life? 

I’ve been married for 52 years and we raised four children, and I owe my wife a great deal of gratitude for how she taught our children to love, to forgive, and to respect others! The Christian virtues are so basic for human beings, if we want to exist in the image and likeness of God. In particular, we struggle to teach children how to honor their parents. Our experience taught us that we are to honor our children and be their role models, without preaching to them, through prayer and worship, and with mutual love and communication between us as their parents. 

I learned from my mother that you do not have to say or explain too much because children observe and absorb like sponges; they emulate their parents in times of joy or times of crisis. Children learn these virtues from home, not in school or in playing in sports. My children are now adults; the oldest is 50. All are married and are instilling the same virtues in raising their own children.

Is there a particular Commandment that has most strongly influenced your fatherhood (either as a parent or as a priest)? 

The first Commandment is the foundation of the rest of the nine commandments, as it states, “I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Without the first, no other commandments matter and nothing makes sense. There are two messages in the first Commandment. The first is, “I am your God.” As Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Light.” 

The second message is that nothing should come between us and God; we should not withhold our talents, our possessions, or our education from others. As we have received the gifts from God, we are to give back to people. We live in an age where the media, television, social events, and politics are directly attacking the morality of family. Today, we have created gods as role models for us: a sports player or movie star. Yet if they are the role models for our children rather than people of virtue and faith, there is no hope for our families to raise good children.

How would you recommend that families or parishes best utilize this book?

This book was written precisely to engage parents and children by its presentation. It asks the questions, “What do I treasure? How can we invite Christ into all aspects of our lives?” And the answer is given in the form of another question, “Where would an Orthodox Christian have an encounter with Christ, His disciples and saints, but in the Church?” This book challenges children and parents to take the time to make their home a little church. This is what the Church teaches us–home is the first church.

Is there a place where your readers can contact you with further questions?

Readers may contact me at gshalhoub@tbosm.com or (734) 422-0010. 

What is your hope for the book and its readers?

My hope is for readers to realize that God’s truth lies in understanding the Ten Commandments as embodied and flesh out by  Christ and His commandments. All these things lead to the promise of eternal life. Children and parents must lead a godly life–a balanced life, with time to play and time to pray. And lastly, my hope is that the book will confront the reader with these questions:

• What replaces God in your life today?
• Are there images that you worship?
• What are the things we say to others that offend God and others? 
• How can we honor our children to help them learn to honor us?
• What are the things that will kill a relationship in today’s world?
• How do we steal the will of others?
• What are the things that bring satisfaction to your daily life?

 
Father George Shalhoub has been the pastor of the Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia, Mich. for over 50 years. In gratitude to God, Fr. George has offered this book for Orthodox families in a desire to help them draw closer to each other and to God. 

A Look at “Old Testament Games & Relays” by Summer Kinard

Park End Books’ latest addition to their Accessible Church School series is Summer Kinard’s Old Testament Games & Relays. In the book’s introduction, Kinard reminds her readers how important play is in children’s learning. She points out how frequently lessons (particularly religious education lessons) omit this important means for learning, offering only “a lesson, a coloring page, and a snack.” In her effort to create an educational atmosphere that includes everyone and meets all children’s needs, she has created these fun games.

Old Testament Games & Relays features 25 games in the following categories: Creation and the Fall; Noah; Abraham and Sarah; Joseph; Moses and the Exodus; The Promised Land; King Saul, King David, and King Solomon; and Prophets and Forebears. Kinard has written each game in such a way that instruction and play are happening simultaneously. Because of this, children will romp their way through these games, learning truths from the Old Testament while playing them, without even realizing that they are learning.

Each game’s description offers a succinct explanation of the story on which it is based, complete with scripture reference; the goal of the game; the ages for which it is appropriate (as well as suggestions for how to mix age groups if needed); the materials/setup for the game; suggestions for multiple ways to play; and related notes. Kinard has 30 years of Sunday school teaching experience under her belt, which is very well evident in the thorough suggestions/offerings for each game. An appendix at the end of the book groups the games in categories: messy games, water games, indoor games, and Sunday best clothes games. Kinard has intentionally utilized fairly readily available “props” for the games, many of which are easily at hand or can be used again in other settings if they need to be purchased/created.

This book is a valuable resource for any Sunday school teacher, homeschool group, parish event planner, or family that gathers neighborhood children for organized games. Sunday school teachers will find games they can use with their Church school curriculum. Homeschool groups could use this book as a guide for weekly Bible study (for 25 weeks: almost a full school year!), basing their weekly study on an Old Testament story reflected in a game from this book. Parish event planners could use a game (or more) from the book to drive the theme for a family night or for a children’s group gathering. Families who are intentionally building relationships with neighborhood children could pick a game or two from the book, briefly share the story related to it, and have a lot of clean neighborhood fun as they all play the game(s) together.

Children learn so well through play. It is imperative that any adult working with children keeps that fact in mind, and finds ways to incorporate as much play as possible into their interactions with children. This book is an excellent place to start.

Find your copy of the book here:  https://parkendbooks.com/shop/oldtestamentgamesandrelays/ 

Reviewed for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Heart.

A Handful of Educational Books for Young Orthodox Learners

For those of us in the USA, it’s time to head back to school. Whether children attend public or private schools, or are homeschooled, there is always a need for them to continue to grow in their faith. These three books from Newrome Press offer ways to help them learn and grow.

O is for Orthodox, written by Theofanis Sawabe and illustrated by Vladimir Ilievski is a board book unlike any other. This book with “peek-a-boo” pages introduces its readers to Orthodox vocabulary, offering one familiar* Orthodox word per letter of the alphabet. Each letter has its own page, most of which have been cut around the letter to allow the reader to “peek” onto the next page, where the featured word is revealed and illustrated. Each spread is painted with colors common to iconography, and include recognizable icons when appropriate. 

This book can simply be read to the youngest learners, who will enjoy turning the partial pages, and proclaiming the word related to the letter (once they have read the book enough times to know what is coming). However, it would also be an excellent launching pad for 26 studies of Orthodox words that enhance the learners’ faith, regardless of the age of the learner. Families or Church school classrooms will benefit from starting with each of these Orthodox words and pulling together a lesson of study about that word. For each word, they can talk together about questions like “When do we see this word? Is this found in the scriptures or the Church fathers? What else is said about it there? How does it apply to our life?” There are children’s books related to many of the words that would greatly enhance such a study, and simple crafts or games could also be incorporated, depending on the length of the lesson desired.

So, it is this reader’s opinion that O is for Orthodox is a book that can grow with a child. It welcomes the youngest Orthodox Christians by gently teaching them important vocabulary, associating these words with its colorfully peaceful illustrations. But if the book is used as a family or Church school launching pad for study, each letter and its related word will stay in the mind of its readers for long after they’ve “outgrown” board books, because of the lessons related to its content. 

Purchase a copy of O is for Orthodox at https://newromepress.com/o-is-for-orthodox/. 

*Note: All of the words are about concepts familiar to the Orthodox Christian way of life. This reader was not familiar with the Greek word zōnē, the last word in the book, and had to look it up. It means “belt or sash,” in this case, of the Theotokos, which fits perfectly with the illustration. All of the other words were quite familiar to a native English speaking Orthodox Christian.

****

Christ Amongst Us: An Easy to Understand Commentary on the Divine Liturgy According to the Writings of the Holy Fathers and the Experiences of the Saints, by George Danias and Christina Hatzithanasi-Dania, illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzithanasi-Antonatou both explains and contains the Divine Liturgy. The first two thirds of the book offer insights, stories, and explanations about each part of the Divine Liturgy, written at a level that anyone mid-elementary-aged or older can understand. The last third is the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, followed by a thorough glossary. The book comes with a poster featuring twelve parts of the Liturgy, with an illustration and brief exposition for each. 

Readers will find out the answers to questions like these:

• When in the Liturgy is Christ “appearing for the first time to begin preaching the Divine Word?”
• Why is the Trisagion Hymn repeated three times?
• Besides clergy and altar servers, who is always present at the altar during the liturgy? (Read the answer in two eyewitness accounts from St. John Chrysostom and Elder Iakovos Tsalikis!)
• What are each of us meant to watch, when we hear the reminder “The doors! The doors! Let us be attentive!”?
• Why is it so important that we not talk during the Liturgy? What should we do instead? 
• Have you ever had doubts about Holy Communion? What happened to the priest Pelagios when he had doubts about Holy Communion being the Body and Blood of Christ?
• What kind of fear should we have as we come to communion?

The book itself is a sizable, sturdy paperback that will last through many readings. Its front and back covers have fold-in flaps that will serve well to mark the reader’s place, or make it easy to jump to a particular spot (for example, the back flap could mark the Creed if the book is taken along to the Liturgy). The text is carefully translated from the Greek and is easy to follow. There are perhaps a few parts of the book that may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, the reader’s parish may very likely have catechumens, different from the book’s statement on p. 43, “While there may not be any unbaptized catechumens in our own parish, we should still call to mind the catechumens throughout the whole world.” Also, the reader’s entire parish may exchange the kiss of peace, while the book says on p. 54, “Today the Kiss of Peace is only exchanged amongst the serving clergy.” Paraskevi Hatzithanasi-Antonatou’s beautiful and detailed pencil illustrations throughout the book will help each reader appreciate and better understand the part of the Liturgy it is illustrating. 

This book is an invaluable resource for families and Church school teachers who desire that their young charges understand, appreciate, and participate in the Divine Liturgy, instead of merely attending it. There is so much information in this book that it may be advisable to read and discuss just one small portion at a time. It will take quite a while to get through the entire Liturgy if it is read that way, but everyone involved will likely have a more lasting understanding of each piece of the service if they take it on bit by bit. 

Find your copy of this very helpful book at https://newromepress.com/christ-amongst-us/

****

Vested in Christ: Understanding the Mysteries of Holy Baptism and Sacred Chrismation by George Danias and Christina Hatzithanasi-Dania, illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzithanasi-Antonatou is a well-made paperback book that takes a closer look at the Holy Mystery of baptism. The first three quarters of the book feature information, stories, and teachings about baptism, and the last quarter contains the actual baptismal service (translated from the service celebrated by the Church of Greece) and a helpful glossary. The book also includes a poster about the different parts of the baptismal service, illustrated and succinctly explained.  Paraskevi Hatzithanasi-Antonatou’s beautiful pencil illustrations (scattered throughout the book) add dimension to the text, helping the reader to better understand the information being presented.

• Name at least two Old Testament events that allegorically foreshadow baptism.
• In what miraculous way was St. Philemon baptized just before his death? 
• What exactly is our second birth? 
• What athletic event from ancient times is recalled when the baptismal candidate has their whole body anointed with oil before their baptism?
• Who baptized St. Christina?
• The newly-baptized person is dressed in white. Why?
• In the early Church, how long did the newly-baptized person wear white?

Readers will find the answers to all of these questions, and much more, in this book!

Parents and Sunday Church school teachers will find this book to be a helpful resource as they teach the children in their care about baptism. There is much information here, written at a level appropriate for upper elementary (and older) learners. The book is made with a very sturdy paper cover, with front and back flaps that will help to mark pages for its readers.

Purchase your copy at https://newromepress.com/vested-in-christ/ 

The Antiochian Department of Christian Education thanks Newrome Press for sharing these books so that we could read and review them. 

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

A Glimpse at “Lives of the Saints for Children: February: Friends of Christ” written by Demetrios and Anna Fotopoulos and illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzithanasi

Newrome Press is publishing a twelve-book series called Friends of Christ. Each volume contains the stories of five saints who are commemorated during a particular month of the year. Here is a closer look at Lives of the Saints for Children: February: Friends of Christ, written by Demetrios and Anna Fotopoulos and illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzithanasi, translated by Nicholas Palis, and printed in 2019.

The February edition of the Friends of Christ series tells its readers stories from the life of St. Nikiphoros the martyr (Feb. 9), St. Haralambos the hieromartyr (Feb. 10), St. Theodora the empress (Feb. 11), Venerable Philothei the Athenian (Feb. 19), and Great Martyr Photini the Samaritan woman (Feb. 26). Readers will learn more about the faithful life of each of these saints, and feel encouraged to grow in their own faith. The saints’ stories are carefully worded so that children of all ages can understand. Each has been translated very smoothly into English by translator Nicholas Palis.

The bulk of the book features the stories of these five saints (and the others whose lives they influenced). The book effectively meets this purpose, but it also offers some extra “bonus” materials that are helpful. In addition to the saints’ stories, it also offers a handful of other important resources. The book begins and ends with helpful prayers (the morning prayer to one’s patron saint, and the evening one); and it also contains “the Friends of Christ Glossary”, where some of the more challenging words in the text are explained. In addition, it comes with a large decal featuring one of the illustrations, that could be added to a timeline if the family or Church school room has one on their wall. The decal also makes a wonderful bookmark to mark the reader’s place in each story.

Paraskevi Hatzithanasi’s sketches add much to the stories in the book. They seem to draw from iconographic representations, enhancing the text while also familiarizing readers with the saint(s) in such a way that they will easily recognize the saint’s icon, when they find it at church or elsewhere. Illustrative details from each major illustration are scattered throughout that saint’s story, and offer a fun little challenge: that of finding where each detail is located in its original illustration.

This well-made hardcover book will last through many February readings, whether in a home or in a Church school. Each saint’s story could be read all at once (perhaps for a family night, or in a Sunday Church school class); or bit by bit, across a series of days, until it is completed. 

Order your own copy of Lives of the Saints for Children: February: Friends of Christ from Newrome Press, here: https://newromepress.com/friends-of-christ-february/

We thank Newrome Press for sharing this book with us, so that we can share it with you. 

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

A Glimpse at “Sands of Salvation” by Gabriel Wilson

Ancient Faith Publishing has just released a brand new graphic novel, the third in the “Among the Saints” series. Sands of Salvation tells the story of St. Moses the Black, brought to life in multiple dimensions by Gabriel Wilson’s impeccable pairing of art and words. St. Moses’ story is told by an old monk who knew him, and was witness to “how he learned to give up his own control to the power of God.”

Once a slave, St. Moses was banished into the desert after an unfortunate event occurred. St. Moses’ great physical strength enabled him to quickly take charge of a group of thieves, and he had seemingly everything that a man could ever want… but he was not free of the memories of his past life, and he always had to prove himself to maintain his position of power. In his most challenging moments, the Theotokos and angels appeared to him, arousing his curiosity. One time, he followed, and found himself in a monastery, where he noted true strength in the peaceful demeanor of the monks. He himself became a monk, and eventually converted several others of his former band of thieves when they came to steal from him. (When they arrived, he tied all four of them up and took them to his elders, showing that although his physical strength had not waned, his spiritual strength had surpassed it.) Temptations continued, but St. Moses persevered in repentance, strengthening the might of his soul by the grace of God. The book closes with what happens when St. Moses’ spiritual strength affords him the opportunity to extend the chance for repentance to the new leader of the band of thieves when he comes to pillage the monastery…

Readers of the first two “Among the Saints” graphic novels (The Cross and the Stag and The Broken Wheel) will once more be amazed at Gabriel Wilson’s beautiful art and careful use of words to assist in the storytelling. Both draw the reader into the life of St. Moses in a way that makes them feel that they are right there, experiencing life by his side. 

The book includes a historical note about St. Moses at the end, as well as the kontakion to him. This graphic novel will help its readers learn to truly “Throw your weakness before God, and the Lord will become your strength.” (~ St. Moses) It will be an excellent addition to any home or church school library, strengthening the faith of its readers and deepening their trust in God, our source of strength, with every reading.

Find your own copy of this powerful graphic novel at https://store.ancientfaith.com/sands-of-salvation-the-strength-of-abba-moses/  

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