What Are Bead Chains? In Montessori, the bead chains are a math material for hands on learning. There are a few prerequisite works/skills needed for introducing bead chains. However, this generally boils down to being able to count to 100 and recognize the numbers written out (1, 2, 3…). Generally, the age range for introducing …
Nativity of Mary
Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary On September 8th we celebrate the Nativity of Mary, which is one of the 12 major feast days. It is also the first major feast in our new liturgical year. Tradition is that Joachim (a descendant of King David) and Anna (of the tribe …
The Akathist of the Theotokos Heading to Egypt
Akathist to The Theotokos – Heading to Egypt This week we are heading to Egypt in the Akathist to the Theotokos. Also Happy Church New Year! This year I want to do more saint and bible story read-aloud time with my children. Be sure to check out our new year article and let me know …
What We are Using to Homeschool Kindergarten
Homeschool Kindergarten In Canada the school year starts in September. But we have started some Kindergarten work early. We did this in order to figure out a good routine for us. And also in order to get used to formal homeschooling before having a new baby! Because we certainly did not want to try everything …
The Magi Respond to Mary in the Akathist of the Theotokos
Akathist to The Theotokos – The Three Magi This week we continue the series exploring the akathist to the Theotokos. If you missed the first four articles, be sure to read them first! Start with https://thebyzantinelife.com/akathist-to-the-theotokos/ and then follow it up with https://thebyzantinelife.com/ineffable-akathist/. Next there is https://thebyzantinelife.com/akathist-john-baptist/. Finally, read about https://thebyzantinelife.com/akathist-nativity/. The Fifth Set of …
The Ultimate Homeschool Resource Guide
Over the last few months, we have been partnering with Timothy Flanders at The Meaning of Catholic to put together some resource lists. The focus is on the Domestic Church, so we will be covering all topics home life. However, our project started because we wanted to provide Catholic families with a one stop shop …
The Sign of the Cross
Although the sign of the cross is prayed and practised among the whole Catholic Church, no where is this sacramental sign beloved more than by the Byzantines. Today we are going to look at a bit of the history. How do Byzantine Catholics use the sign of the cross? And how can you add to …
First Day of Homeschool Activities
First Day of (Home)School Activities Let’s make the first day of homeschool of the year special. Back to School articles abound right now so I thought I would join in with something fun. Plus check out my free First Day of Homeschool worksheets, which I talk about below! We want our children to look forward …
Praying With Icons
One of the marks of a Byzantine life is praying with icons. In fact, we use icons with prayer everywhere. There are icons all around the church, including the seasonal icon on the tetrapod, and all the icons on the iconostasis. Not only do our homes have icons, but we have dedicated icon corners! In …
Akathist to the Theotokos – The Protection of Mary and Nativity of Christ
The Protection of Mary in the Akathist to The Theotokos – Section 4 This week we continue the series exploring the Akathist to the Theotokos. And this time we witness the Nativity of Christ within the Akathist, which highlights the protection of the Theotokos! If you missed the first three articles, be sure to read …