This year I updated the adult study to make it more visually appealing, especially for those of you who have been using it since I first released it years ago. I did add some new content, such as a goals worksheet for each week and some additional writings, but it is basically the same study as before. That means, if you already purchased the study and don’t care to have a cleaner updated version, you DO NOT need to repurchase.

If you’ve already purchased it within the past couple weeks, I’ll be emailing you an updated version as a courtesy. Keep an eye out for that and if you don’t see it in the next 7-10 days, shoot me an email with a screenshot of your receipt and I’ll make sure you get it.

The kid’s study, My Path to Pascha, is also available! So many of you shared posts of your kids doing the activities and I loved seeing them! If you share again, please tag me or use the hashtag #mypathtopascha.

I hope you all enjoy the studies and have a blessed lenten season!

Click here for more information or to purchase. I’m in the process of switching blog hosts, so if that link doesn’t work you can access the studies here:

Adult Lenten Study

Kid’s Lenten Study

This will ensure that you still receive post notifications once I make the switch! I’ve been communicating with my current site host about exporting all the emails that are subscribed, but so far they have not been much help and I’m afraid I will lose touch with many of you once I move.

In other news, my debut novel STEALING FREEDOM releases next month Godwilling! I’ll be doing a big cover reveal on February 14, so stay tuned for that along with some fun giveaways! I hope to be on the new platform by then, so make sure to respond to this post with your email address!

Every Christmas for the past thirteen years, here on OrthodoxMom.com, I’ve hosted an ornament exchange for Orthodox kids. Parents and children gather around their tables and create the most beautiful Nativity themed ornaments to swap between our families.

Families are separated into groups, usually 10-12 per group, and we all make one ornament for each family and ship them off along with other little snacks, stickers, and goodies. The kids love checking the mail to see what treasures arrive each day!

We have a special filled with the precious ornaments we’ve received over the years.  The boys love taking them out and reminiscing on the times they arrived and what goodies accompanied them, before hanging them on the tree.  It’s so much fun for all of us.

So, it’s time to start organizing the 2021 Orthodox Kid’s Ornament Exchange.

The rules of the swap are simple:

01. Each child will make enough ornaments to send one to each member of his/her group. ORNAMENTS MUST BE HANDMADE and have a religious theme.

02. Include a card (handmade or not) making sure that their name is legible, so we know who they’re from.

03. Adding other trinkets, candies, stickers, etc is a nice gesture but it is not required.

04. Packages must be postmarked by Wednesday, December 15, 2021 to ensure time for the children to enjoy their ornaments before Christmas.  If you’re running late, like we all tend to do sometimes, be sure to let your group know.

05.  Ornaments are sent one per family.  Sibling names are included so that packages and cards are addressed to all of them.

***PLEASE be sure to package your ornaments safely for their journeys! I mention this every year but the past couple of years we’ve received some completely broken. It’s so sad to see that after all the hard work the children put into them!

If you’re interested, please email:

• Your children’s names, ages
• FULL ADDRESS 

to Exchanges{at}OrthodoxMom{dot}com by Wednesday, December 8!

BE SURE TO PUT “2021 ORNAMENT SWAP” in the subject line!!  I really can’t stress the importance of this enough. I mention it every year but people still add their own subject lines. It may not seem like a big deal but this time of year is extra busy for my inbox and by simply taking a couple extra seconds to make sure the subject line is correct ensures your message goes to the proper folder and you get added to the groups! P L E A S E.

**If you fail to follow the directions, I apologize profusely but there will be no guarantee that you are placed into a group.

Comments on this post will not sign you up!  So be sure to send an email so I have your email address so you can receive the list of names and addresses for your group.

I can’t wait to see what treasures your children create this year! Thanks for joining!

I’m so happy to have the privilege of organizing them for yet another season. Thank you for that. 

During this time we should also take extra care to abstain from unholy things or things that distract us from God and the upcoming feast. Pray for the healing of the nations. Stretch out your hand to those in need and comfort those around you who need comforting. Embrace all that God intended for this season to be.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Please read through and follow ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS below.

If you want to sign up, leave your baptismal name AND last name or email on THIS post as I WILL NOT be looking for new names on the sign ups post.

Thank you!

I’ve also been enjoying watching so many of you praying along with my book, SONGS OF PRAISE: A Psalter Devotional for Orthodox Women. There’s plenty of journaling pages and extra wide margins to keep track of the names of your group members, along with any other thoughts or notes or inspiration you find within the psalms.  

The prayers we say before reading are also included along with lots of wisdom from the saints on why reading the Psalter is so beneficial.

Check out the following hashtags on social media to join other women who are praying along with you this year. And if you share any photos of your Psalter devotional in action, please use the hashtags so we can follow along with you.

#songsofpraisebook

#psaltergroups

Without further ado, here are the assigned readings for the Nativity 2021 season!

Names are numbered in order of what kathisma you begin on.

*Be sure to look through all the lists for your name. It will be as you signed up. There are a lot of Mary’s, Maria’s, Katherine’s, etc.  Even less common names are often duplicated!  Make sure you’re looking at the right one!  I included usernames or emails wherever I could to make it a bit easier. 

PLEASE read through ALL OF THE GROUPS until you’re sure you found your name. This is extremely important so that readings/groups are being done properly.

Once you find your name, you will see what Kathisma (set of Psalms) you start with.  If you’re number 18 in your group you’ll start on Kathisma 18 on Day 1.  On Day 2, you’ll read Kathisma 19,  Day 3,  Kathisma 20 and so on. Then the following day you’ll start on Kathisma 1.  Make sense? If not, be sure to ask in the comments!

Before beginning to read your assigned kathisma, please recite the Trisagion prayers (and the prayer at the bottom of this post if you choose):

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

At the end of each kathisma please recite the following:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (twice)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to you, O God our hope, O Lord, glory to You. Lord have mercy on (name of each person in your group).

******People in the last group, please check back periodically since more people will most likely be added to your group, so you can add their names to your prayer list.  

And as always, if you have any questions at all, let me know!

Don’t become discouraged if you miss some, it takes time to build a habit and anything you read is more than you would have read if you hadn’t signed up! Kali Dynami!

Readings  (The Psalm numbers before each Kathisma are for people following along from the book of Psalms in their Bible)

1. Day 1– Psalms 1-8 (Kathisma 1)
2. Day 2– Psalms 9-16 (Kathisma 2)
3. Day 3– Psalms 17-23 (Kathisma 3)
4. Day 4–Psalms 24-31 (Kathisma 4)
5. Day 5– Psalms 32-36 (Kathisma 5)
6. Day 6– Psalms 37-45 (Kathisma 6)
7. Day 7– Psalms 46-54 (Kathisma 7)
8. Day 8– Psalms 55-63 (Kathisma 8)
9. Day 9– Psalms 64-69 (Kathisma 9)
10. Day 10– Psalms 70-76 (Kathisma 10)
11. Day 11– Psalms 77-84 (Kathisma 11)
12. Day 12– Psalms 85-90 (Kathisma 12)
13. Day 13– Psalms 91-100 (Kathisma 13)
14. Day 14– Psalms 101-104 (Kathisma 14)
15. Day 15– Psalms 105-108 (Kathisma 15)
16. Day 16– Psalms 109-117 (Kathisma 16)
17. Day 17– Psalms 118 (Kathisma 17)
18. Day 18– Psalms 119-133 (Kathisma 18)
19. Day 19– Psalms 134-142 (Kathisma 19)
20. Day 20– Psalms 143-150/151 (Kathisma 20)
21. Day 21–start over

Group One

1. Sevasti L.
2. Kalliope T.
3. Irene M.
4. Presbytera Kyranna
5. Catherine Athena
6. Asimeni
7. Alexandra (yeske)
8. Eikaterini (vaporis)
9. Sevasti P.
10. Markella S.
11. Konstantina (Connie)
12. Katerina (loucas)
13. Matushka Katherine
14. Anastasia S.
15. Diana Maria
16. Linda Irene
17. Melissa P.
18. Maria (sanders)
19. Katherine (krohn)
20. Xenia (sheri)

Group Two

1. Elisavet (Elie)
2. Lydia Len
3. Margarita (george)
4. Markella (saponaria)
5. Jill Marie
6. Denise Marie
7. Joanna (rovolis)
8. Sheryl Ann (wagen)
9. Sarah (kristin)
10. Athanasia (parcels)
11. Malamatenia (panagiotou)
12. Alina-Olimpia
13. Cara Maria
14. Eleni (george)
15. Christina (siounis)
16. Ruth (jan)
17. Panayiota (starogiannis)
18. Ioana Teodora
19. Veronica (mary a.)
20. Marie-Elaine

Group Three

1. Jennifer (lynne)
2. Virginia (ginny ann)
3. Rachel (chebeleu)
4. Magdalini (ziavras)
5. Emmelia H.
6. Sarah (stewart)
7. Xenia (amanda)
8. Kathryn (karney)
9. Styliani (Stella)
10. Monica Mihaela
11. Diana Alexandra
12. Anna (wales)
13. Panayiota (teresa)
14. Stephanie (guy)
15. Maria (ckocoronis)
16. Eleni
17. Petronela (carmen)
18. Alexandra (sasha)
19. Antonia (novratidis)
20. Maria

Group Four

1. Michaela (michelle)
2. Eleni (konstantinou)
3. Maria (papas)
4. Maria (Alli)
5. Elisabeth (lawrence)
6. Tatiana (tania)
7. Soultana (tania)
8. Susanna (amelia)
9. Laura (lolomommy)
10. Sophia (sophy1718)
11. Anna (boserio)
12. Diana (cune)
13. Joshua (philip)
14. Mikhaila (ana sofia)
15. Janine (jzse)
16. Alexandra (johnson)
17. Diana Maria (amirei)
18. Melissa Elli
19. Irene (sherry)
20. Maria (linda d.)

Group Five

1. Tatiana (tanya v.)
2. Makrina (erika)
3. Anna (Ada)
4. Elizabeth (jessica h.)
5. Timea (veres)
6. Maria (pritsos)
7. Nicole (gaynor)
8. Constantina (ioannou-stavros)
9. Julianna (sabrina)
10. Elenee R.
11. Fotini
12. Melissa W.
13. Sara (clark)
14. Amanda (mackoul)
15. Joanna (chongris)
16. Presbytera Evanthia
17. Maria (marshall)
18. Kristina (steier)
19. Brenda (praggastis)
20. Katherine (alexandria)

Group Six

1. Olga (shchepelina)
2. Elizabeth (carolgene)
3. Anna (mcohen)
4. Emilia (lilredfarm)
5. Aefgifu (944)
6. Eleni (moundros)
7. Sara (clark)
8. Rosemary (brown)
9. Catherine (brown)
10. Porphyria (bethabelle)
11. Maria (tragoulias)
12. Brigid (kelli)
13. Olga (tnkelly)
14. Magdalene (maggieoconnor)
15. Panayiota (tsotos)
16. Catherine (katyavic)
17. Alexandra W. (lexi.kasey)
18. Polixeni (bakanyozo)
19. Vera (olenakey)
20. Natalya (ntchekmareva)

Group Seven

1. Sophia (sophoula3)
2. Panayiota (paulina p.)
3. Sophia (nicole h.)
4. Kristina (jubinski)
5. Elisavet (kostas-polston)
6. Paula (jossan)
7. Dimitra (papadopoulos)
8. Anna (gjoka)
9. Eugenia (orlova)
10. Mary Kathryn (o’connor)
11. Matrona (fritzges)
12. Veronica (nowmimi8)
13. Christina (jamison)
14. Nicholetta (bokolas)
15. Elizabeth (carter)
16. Lina (farah)
17. Ekaterini (kvavalides)
18. Cindy (nieswender)
19. Paula (mckay)
20. Vasiliki (vickigiak)

Group Eight

1. Evaggelia (ehturner)
2. Savvia (gaston)
3. Christina (beach)
4. Magdalene (o’connor)
5. Catherine (schons-foley)
6. Stefanie (stefy b)

Preparing Ourselves for the Coming of the Savior is the adult version is a 66-page study created to assist us in overcoming the spirit of secularism by offering some simple things to ponder every day during the next six weeks. We’ll also discuss some common misconceptions (Was it a stable or a cave? Were Mary and Joseph betrothed or married?) that will help us gain a better understanding of what really happened that holy night so many years ago in the city of Bethlehem. 

Included in this Advent Study are weekly devotionals, daily readings, and activities to help us remember who and what we are really celebrating at Christmastime. During this study we’ll be using Holy Tradition like a set of spectacles to bring the story of the Nativity to life in 3-D!

Click here to learn more about the adult version.

My Journey to Bethlehem is a 65 pg. e-book that will take your child on a journey around the world.  They’ll hear the real story of the Nativity, learn about Christmas traditions in different countries,  all while having fun and not adding too much to your already busy holiday schedule.  Each week has a story, memory verse activity, craft, coloring page, and a recipe.  It is the perfect resource to help your child discover the true reason for the season this year.  The calendar allows you to view the book ‘at a glance’ so you can decide if you’ll do all the activities each week or just your favorites.

Click here to learn more about the kid version.

It’s that time again! Time to start organizing our beloved Psalter Groups–yaaaaay!!

For those of you not familiar with these groups, here’s a brief rundown: 

The Psalter is the book of Psalms divided into twenty sections called kathisma (singular) or kathismata (plural).

Groups are comprised of twenty people, each being assigned a different kathisma. For example, on Day 1 of 40, I’ll read kathisma 1, you’ll read 2, Maria will read 3, and so on. The entire Psalter gets read each day by each group! By the end of the 40 days, we’ll each have read the entire thing twice personally as well! How awesome is that?! 

Many of our saints, including the greats like St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil have written extensively on the importance of daily Psalter reading. (There are several excerpts in Songs of Praise.) These groups are a wonderful way to make praying the psalms part of our daily routine, not just during fasting periods, but year round. It’s such an incredible feeling knowing you’re praying along with other Orthodox faithful all over the world.

So if you’re interested in joining us, please leave YOUR BAPTISMAL NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS in the comments. Leaving both helps me differentiate between others with the same name. In the world your name might not be common but in Orthodoxy there are a hundred different Xenia’s and Magdalene’s lol, so having an email to tell you apart is extremely important. 

This means, don’t just enter your email when signing in to comment, but actually type it into the body of the comment. 

I CANNOT KEEP GOING BACK TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS WHO IF EMAILS ARE NOT LEFT IN THE PROPER PLACE. Doing that takes me HOURS because I have to click on each post, go into the actual admin section to verify email addresses and figure out who was who. It may not seem like a big deal on your end, but it makes organizing so many names extremely difficult on my end. SO, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, make sure you leave your email address (or last name, nickname, or something to differentiate who is who) with your Baptismal name in the body of the comment section.

I’ll have everyone’s assigned readings up sometime on Sunday. If you come across this post late, not to worry, just go to the Psalter Group Assignments {Nativity 2021} and add your info and I’ll get you into a group! It’s never too late to join in!

If you haven’t seen the book I released with Ancient Faith Publishing last year, SONGS OF PRAISE: A Psalter Devotional for Orthodox Women, click here. 

SONGS OF PRAISE is a 384-page devotional that includes the entire Psalter with extra-wide margins for journaling and notetaking.

Inside you’ll find:

• Writings from various saints on the benefits of Psalter reading.
• Prayers before reading.
• A reflection on each of the twenty kathismata on topics relating to Orthodox women today, along with some of my favorite quotes from some of my favorite saints. 
• Extra journaling pages after each reflection.
• An index on how the psalms can be prayed for various needs as used by St. Athanasios. 

Click for a Songs of Praise Flip Thru.

My hope and prayer for this book is that it will become a place women look forward to spending time in each and every day and that instead of seeking comfort in the things offered by the world, we’ll find it in the sweet words of the Prophet David. Because, even though my name is on the cover of the book, it’s not really mine. It’s his. 

NOTE: You don’t need SONGS OF PRAISE to participate in the Psalter Groups! Any version of the Psalter or book of Psalms in your Bible are all you need. 

You may also want to check out this video to learn more about the groups, how they work, and why they’re so important!

This story is near and dear to my heart and I’m so proud that it represents Greek culture and history, specifically the history of the island of Kalymnos during the Italian Occupation in the 1930’s. It includes so many fun elements like espionage, a secret knitting society, betrayal, forbidden love, and more! I can’t wait for you to read it and hope that you love it as much as I do.

Head over to YouTube for more details! *NOTE: This is not the actual cover. Stay tuned!!

The Orthodox Dormition Study is a 108-page pdf that can be printed either at home or in-store. I usually print it at home and then take it to Office Depot to have it spiral bound. 

The study was designed to only take you 15 minutes a day for the 15 days of Panagia’s. Study on your own or read the stories with your children—there’s no wrong way to use it!

Once purchased, it can be reprinted and used year after year.

It includes:

• A daily reading—the life of the Theotokos, miracles, and icon studies.
• Letters to Panagia—two journaling pages per day for you to write out all of your thoughts, fears, and cares to her in letter form.
• Daily Prayers to the Theotokos—a different prayer to the Mother of God for each day of the week.
• Full Paraklesis service.

Click on the stories below to see what others are saying about this study!

Orthodox Dormition Study

Click here for more info or to purchase!

Every time I share a photo of the Bible studies I do with the Patristic Nectar lecture series, you guys always want the details, so I wanted to share more about this conference for you to take advantage of. They are truly one of my favorite resources when it comes to Orthodox education online! You don’t want to miss this!

Speakers Include:

• His Grace Bishop Irenei of London & Western Europe
• Fr. Chad Hattfield
• Fr. John Parker
• Fr. Calinic Berger
• Fr. Josiah Trenham
• Fr. Maximos Constas

There will be a Q&A session and daily giveaways throughout the conference!

Click here to register!

1. Don’t pretend to be a teacher to your spouse. The best way of changing him is to love him as your own self and to respect him.
2. Marriage is a constant but beautiful adventure, which helps us discover our true self, the world of the soul of our spouse and to know God in our “home” church.
3. We accept our spouse as he is, with his weaknesses and idiosyncrasies, and not as we would like him to be. The family is a palestra an exercising of souls and the courtyard of Paradise.
4. Try to understand your spouse. Don’t forget that the husband thinks with dry logic; whereas the wife with emotion and the heart.
5. Don’t try to impose your opinion to correct your spouse. Strive rather to correct your own self. “Love lives with the harmony of oppositions and with forgiveness.” Don’t get angry.
6. With faith, patience, and love all the difficulties of life are faced victoriously.
7. The greatest enemy of married life is egotism. Attacking our spouse does not save us, but rather attacking our own will and egotism will save us.
8. The best example for our children is for the father to love the mother as Christ loved the church and the mother the father and for the children to see them praying and attending church.
9. The secret of family peace is for one to be able to forgive, to love and to respect.
10. Marriage is “a great Mystery”, which begins in Church and is renewed with Confession, the Divine Liturgy and the remaining Mysteries of the Orthodox Church and our Living Faith.

The above is from the book Practical Guide of Orthodoxy and Orthopraxia written by Priest Michael and published by Orthodox Kypseli Publications. The book is currently out of print but I do see it periodically in church bookstores. If you’re able to, I HIGHLY recommend getting your hands on a copy of this book!