CD Reviews - Fruits of the Spirit / Celebrate the Feasts

Fruits of the Spirit

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this production. Renown youth worker Gigi (Baba) Shadid produced this awesome folk CD to teach children and to help them grow in their faith in Christ and their love for His holy Church. While many of the songs are directed specifically toward youth, all ages will appreciate the music, lyrics, and Gigi's joyful approach to life and faith.

The CD features musical stories about saints, Scriptural passages, and aspects of Church Tradition from a uniquely Orthodox perspective.

By Fr. Jon Peter Gillquist

Celebrate the Feasts

The much-anticipated sophomore disc from Khouria Gigi (Baba) Shadid is finally here!

The CD is a collection of 11 original tunes from American Orthodoxy's favorite female folk singer, plus 16 more tracks of Gigi and friends singing various festal hymns of the Church.

Take a listen and you will agree that "Celebrate the Feasts" exceeds all expectations. May God bless Khouria Gigi and all of the work she does for our youth!

By Fr. Jon Peter Gillquist

To order these CD's, visit stromanosrecords.com, or e-mail gigishadid@yahoo.com.

Children’s Orthodox Parochial School Bulletin

Children's Orthodox Parochial School Bulletin
Published by St. Nicholas Orthodox Parochial School, Tarpon Springs, Florida
Reviewed by Reverend Fr. George Alberts
View Sample PDF

St. Nicholas Orthodox Parochial School, Inc publishes the Children's Orthodox Parochial School Bulletin weekly from September through June of each year. The bulletin is a copyrighted piece which is distributed electronically in PDF, Adobe Acrobat Standard Format to approximately 1,000 individuals and organizations in the United States, Canada and the Far East.

The Bulletin is provided in color, which is the preferred method of reproduction, but it can also be produced in black and white. The format is 8 ½ x 11 paper folded in half and run off in booklet form. The back cover of the bulletin contains a box with the heading "Reproduced by" which allows you to insert your name, address, phone number or any other information up to four lines.

The section entitled, "THE GOSPEL Under the Microscope" examines the Sunday gospel reading and clarifies and comments on its meaning. The second section entitled "FOCUS ON A FEAST" focuses on a Feast of the Church or may relate to one of the saints mentioned in the Gospel reading. An example of this is the Gospel for St. Thomas Sunday being put "under the microscope" in the first section and then in this second section the life of St. Thomas and other apostles is examined. The third section entitled, ‘DID YOU KNOW? Facts about the Feast" gives a list of facts concerning the feast spoken of previously. The next two pages contain "Fun and Games" such as word searches or pages to color. Finally, the back cover gives information about St. Nicholas Orthodox Parochial School, Inc, and contains the box "Reproduced by" as mentioned above.

The Children's Orthodox Parochial School Bulletin is an excellent resource for parents as well as church school. Parents can run the bulletin off and use it together with their children. This would provide them with an opportunity to discuss the faith with them and perhaps do the activities together. It is also useful if it becomes difficult to get to church for church school, or if the church does not have a program in place. It can be used as a resource for those classes that are studying the gospel reading as part of their Sunday morning lessons.

Those who wish to use the Bulletin must establish an account, and log in each week. The Bulletin is provided for free, and posted on Tuesday of each week. You may access this resource at: http://www.StNicholasOrthodoxChristianSchool.org/html/childrens_bulletin.asp

Keeper of the Light

Keeper of the Light: St. Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints

By Bev Cooke

Illustrated by Bonnie Gillis

Conciliar Press

Once wealthy Christians, Macrina, her husband Basil, and her son Basil (whom she calls, "Mus," meaning "mouse") are forced to leave their home and run away from Roman rule. For seven more years, Christians are arrested and executed. Macrina must work hard, with her good husband Basil at her side, to provide for their small son.

Just when she thinks things are turning for the better, Macrina is pushed into poverty and danger in the city of Neocaesarea. While her husband is away trying to regain their home and Mus is being cared for by a priest, she is forced to tell stories to Roman children and is persecuted by a proud and hateful woman named Selina.

Finally, when she is on her last cup of faith in God, her life is restored when the Roman emperor legalizes Christianity. Soon after, Mus is grown up and married to Emmelia, who is Macrina's good friend. Together Mus and Emmellia have nine children not including the one who died due to Emmelia's sickly pregnancy. Three of these children grow up to be saints. Macrina dies telling stories of Gregory the Wonderworker to her beautiful grandchildren, content in the faith.

I recommend this book to ages eleven and up and to anyone else who might be interested in seeing what true faith looks like. Take it from me, a twelve year old girl, St. Macrina the Elder who was grandmother of three saints, will definitely show you what real faith looks like. St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Macrina the younger must be mighty proud of their old "Nona."

By Hannah E. Crenshaw

Christ the Saviour Antiochian Church

Anderson, South Carolina

Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader

(Orthodox) Children's Bible Reader

Greek Bible Society, 2006
Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou, Editorial team leader, Presbytera Katherine Chapekis Sietsema.
Reviewed by Carole Buleza

Alleluia! We finally have an Orthodox Children's Bible Reader in full-color, and wonderful quality. The Old Testament selections number 75 and include seven of the stories of redemption heard on Holy Saturday. I was pleased to see these as they form the context for understanding Christ's death and resurrection. Many of the "types" of the Old Testament, fulfilled in the New, also have a place in this Reader. The three "pillars" of the Old Testament, the law, the prophets, and the wisdom writings are all included in the selections, with excerpts from the psalms and the proverbs of Solomon comprising the wisdom segment. In addition to Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah and Rachel, we have Deborah, Ruth and Naomi representing the women of the Old Testament. The icon-like illustrations are lovely, and the Trinity icon illustrates the story of the angels visit to Abraham and Sarah. You won't find that in a Protestant children's Bible!

On the New Testament side, we have all the stories which became the 12 Great Feasts of the Church, with the exception of those pertaining to Mary. When chronological ordering isn't important, such as for the teachings, and the healing stories, they are grouped so a thematic lesson can be easily planned. Beyond the gospels, we have several episodes from Acts of the Apostles, and finally two selections from the epistles and a selection from Revelation.

All selections are at a 3^rd grade reading level; however, they are so well-written, when read aloud, they could be understood by pre-schoolers. The table of contents has not only the name of the story, but also the citation. Finally, several simple and valuable maps are appended. At $19.99 each, or $159.99 for a case of ten, the Children's Bible Reader should be in every home, and every classroom.  Available through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, "Orthodox Marketplace" (www.store.goarch.org).

Praxis

PRAXIS is a magazine published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education. The magazine's format focuses on total parish education" and includes catechetical material, religious home school lessons, leadership development, internet reviews and continuing education for Orthodox Christians. Annual Subscription rate: $15.00 To subscribe, call: 800-566-1088 or 617-850-1218.

 

Under the Grapevine

Under the Grapevine, written by Chrissi Hart, illustrated by Claire Brandenburg; Conciliar Press, 2006.

Reviewed by Susan Smoley

Under the Grapevine is a sumptuous picture book with much information in the text. It tells the story of the miraculous healing of the author's grandmother in in Akhna on the island of Cyprus. Dr. Chrissi Hart skillfully weaves the narrative with descriptions and explanations of life lived as an Orthodox; actions such as regular worship, crossing yourself, lighting candles, venerating icons, preparing killiva and propsphora. Central to the story are the prayers of the people-at first for intercession and then in gratitude and praise. That the actions and prayers occurred then as they should today, provides a wonderful sense of continuity and knowledge about the Orthodox faith.

At the end of the book, Dr. Hart includes additional facts about St. Kendeas who lived between the 7^th and the 10^th centuries and was born in what is modern-day Germany. Dr. Hart has produced a compelling educational work that is equally suited to both home and classroom for children through middle-school age.

"Readings from Under the Grapevine," http://www.ancientfaithradio.com/

After the publication of her first book, Under the Grapevine, Chrissi Hart was asked to present a Saturday-night reading time for Ancient Faith Radio, "Readings from Under the Grapevine."  Several works have been presented and are archived. With her slight British accent, Dr. Hart's voice gives a charming quality to the narratives, making each a special experience.

My Prayer Journal

International Orthodox Christian Charities’

My Prayer Journal

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger

 

My Prayer Journal is a good start to helping our children learn about what the IOCC is doing, both in our country and abroad. It helps the children learn about other places, recognize the needs there, and formulate prayers to ask God to meet those needs.

Each month, the journal presents one area of need and the IOCC’s response to that need. Each spread features a map of the world, showing where the needy area is, and outlining the shape of the country in need. The spread includes several pictures from that country, a fast fact about the country, a related quote from the church fathers, a selection of a prayer from the Divine Liturgy, and a verse from the Scriptures. There is also room for the children to write what they’re praying for and what they’re thanking God for.

When I first used the book with my children, I had to talk them through what they could pray about. As they have continued to work in the book, however, I am amazed to see them begin writing almost as soon as we have finished reading the information. They find ideas or inferences in the information that leads them to praying for the needy people, and they always have something to thank God for, as well.

After we read and the children write their prayers, we stand before the icon of Christ blessing the children that we have on the wall in our schoolroom, and pray. The children have prayed their written prayers as well as other unwritten ones, for the people they’ve just learned about. It has been a beautiful way for us to work on helping the children pray in their own words for the needs of others.

In addition to the journal, the IOCC offers "extenders" online which give more information about the country, a fun activity related to the country to do together, a story from someone in the country about how the IOCC’s intervention has been helpful, and an idea for how kids can help. This added information helps to meet the one criticism that my children had of the journal: they wanted more information about each location!

Thaniel, our 7-year-old second grader, likes the journal because "it helps me get to know more about places and what to pray about the places." Our 10-year-old 5th grade daughter Katia recommends the journal to others so that "they would learn more about countries and know that everyone is not like us with all the money and stuff that we have in the USA." She also hopes that readers will "know that they shouldn’t brag about having more money, but should help other places (in need)."

St. John Chrysostom said "For in nothing do we draw so close to God as in doing good to man." Through My Prayer Journal, our family is finding that the IOCC is working at just that. Thankfully, they have created a way for our children to learn about their endeavors and help by adding their prayers and donations. May we all together join the hosts of saints already praying for the needy people of our world, and do what we can to help them. This booklet is a good place to start.

NOTE: The booklets are available in August of each year. To order individual copies, go online at www.iocc.org/journal. For parish orders, contact the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese toll-free at 1-800-566-1088. The prayer journal is free, but shipping charges may apply.

Kristina Wenger and her husband Timm help children learn about other cultures with their organization, Kids and Cultures (kidsandcultures.com). They attend St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church in York, Pennsylvania.