Since having children, I’ve noticed that it is harder to visit other family and friends if they do not also have kids. Or, it is even difficult to visit of they have kids but who are all past the age of reason. When I bring my own small children into these homes I have to …
Blessed Olga, Princess of Kiev
The Repose of Blessed Olga, Princess of Kiev, Who Took on The Christian Name Helen at her Holy Baptism July 11th is the feast of Blessed Olga, Princess of Kiev. Her Christian name is Helen, and she is also called Elena or Helga. And we also call her Equal to the Apostles. Olga attempted to …
Holy Martyr Hyacinth
Hyacinth of Caesarea Hyacinth was born in Caesarea in Cappadocia, between 88 and 96 A.D. He was raised Christian. And at some point he became a member of the Emperor’s household. The Emperor at this time, Trajan, persecuted Christians. Emperor Trajan led Rome’s military effectively, and greatly expanded the Roman Empire. History even calls Trajan …
Hope – The Virtue of Our Faith
Hope as a virtue is very particular to Christianity. In fact, without Christ, hope wouldn’t even make sense as a virtue. Because without Christ, hopes are mere optimistic ideals. And with Christ, our hope is firmly founded on faith and reason. Hope is necessary for our salvation. The one who has hope lives differently – …
Guest Post: The Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul
The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul We have officially arrived at one of the key feasts in the post Pentecost Liturgical year for Eastern Christians. June 29th is the Feast of the All-holy and Praiseworthy Apostles Peter and Paul, our fathers among the saints. Since the Monday after the Eastern feast of All Saints, …
Bartholomew and Barnabas
The Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas On June 11th we commemorate the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas. So to help us celebrate, let’s go through what we know about these two saints, and their prayers and tropars. Bartholomew Bartholomew is one of the 12 Apostles. There is a strong possibility that he is the same …
Protecting Our Families – Screen Safety
I am writing this article while all my children are three and under. And yet, the issue of screen safety for my child has haunted me since before my first child came out of my womb. One of the nice things about starting a family young, is that I have the fresh memories of how …
Establishing A Prayer Life For Busy People
Trying to establish a prayer life while busy? As a mom, a wife, and a friend, I both know and witness how hectic life can be. And especially since becoming a mom, I know how easy it is to be forgetful. The to-do list is longer than a yardstick. And even then, some important tasks …
Pentecost in the East and West
Mnohaya lita! Mnohaya lita! Vo zdraviye, vo spasenniye! Na mnohaya lita! Pentecost is one of my favourite feasts of the church year. Even more so now that I’ve been exposed to the Byzantine celebration of Holy and Glorious Pentecost. I love green, so the fact that the liturgical colour in the East for this day …
The Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning
Before having kids, I’d never even heard of meal planning. But it turns out this is an essential skill for stay-at-home wives and mothers! And, not only did I not know about meal planning, I also couldn’t cook. Talk about being unprepared! Now here I am, after four and a half years of marriage, and …