Blueprints for the Little Church: Creating an Orthodox Home
16303-BKS
$18.00
How do we as Orthodox parents keep our children in the Church throughout their lives? It all begins with involving them in the life of the Church from birth onward—in the parish and also at home. Blueprints for the Little Church provides practical ideas and encouragement—without judgment—for incorporating the primary practices of Orthodox spirituality into your family life at every stage of its growth and throughout the church year.
Elissa Bjeletich is a wife and mother, raising five daughters and working in the Sunday school at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Austin, Texas. She converted to Orthodoxy in 1999 and now writes and speaks primarily on parenting and Christian education. Elissa’s Ancient Faith podcast, Raising Saints: Educating Our Youth in the Orthodox Faith, Both at Home and in the Parish, encourages and equips us for the important conversations through which we pass on the faith to our young people. Elissa's other books include: In God’s Hands: A mother’s journey through her infant’s critical illness (Elissa's testimony to Christ’s faithfulness in the midst of trials and uncertainty, offering comfort and inspiration for those who struggle) and Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent (Sebastian Press; a journey through the Old Testament, with 40 stories from Scripture to read aloud and questions to inspire conversation in the family).
Caleb Shoemaker is the father of four children. A graduate of Gordon College with a BA in Youth Ministries and an MA in Biblical Languages from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Caleb has worked in church and parachurch ministry for seventeen years. He and his wife Emily converted to Orthodoxy in 2012. He blogs very sporadically about the importance of bringing the life of the church and the life of the family together at www.calebshoemaker.com. This is his first book.
Author: Elissa Bjeletich and Caleb Shoemaker
Format: Paperback
Pages: 232
Related Items
A Boy’s Journey to Sainthood: St. Paisios the Athonite
Sold Out
The saints of our Church, even the greatest elders and ascetics, were once children!
On one summer day, in Konitsa of Epirus (Northern Greece), the young Arseny beheld the “Light of the world” with his own eyes. Over the years, this very child grew up to become the beloved saint we know today as St. Paisios the Athonite.
In this book, children will learn about the life of St. Paisios through sweet and moving stories, filled with wisdom and joy.
Author: Anna Iakovou
Illustrator: Christina Papatheou-Douligeri
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 48
A Child’s Guide to the Divine Liturgy
$20.00
A wonderful new tool for Orthodox children! A Child's Guide to the Divine Liturgy is designed as an aid to help children negotiate their way through the Divine Liturgy and learn more about the Church and our faith. Small and easy to hold, with engaging illustrations, the guide is divided into six color-coded sections:
- Preparing for the Divine Liturgy
- The Divine Liturgy
- Salt and Light
- The 12 Feasts
- Words to Know
- Glossary
This guide is written to appeal to children ages two to ten. The very young child will learn basic vocabulary and come to recognize the various milestones in the Divine Liturgy. For the older child, the guide includes several longer psalms, quotes, and prayers; the 12 feast icons and kontakia; plus an extensive glossary filled with terms and vocabulary often heard throughout the liturgical year.
A Cloud of Witnesses: The Life of St. Nicholas, the Wonder-worker
Sold Out
Beloved patron of many, and especially of travelers. Includes a simple Carpatho-Russian song for children (in English). 24 pages, softcover.
A Cloud of Witnesses: The Life of St. Nina, Equal-to-the-Apostles
Sold Out
St. Nina was taken as a prisoner to Georgia. There, by her prayers, numerous people were healed of sicknesses, including the Queen of Georgia. The Queen was converted, and her husband, and many thousands of Georgians were baptized. 24 pages, softcover.