Christmas 2023 Gift Guide

We have compiled a list of gift ideas from our shop that we think would be perfect for certain age groups! Take a look for some gift ideas to get you into the spirit. Just click the links in the text below each picture to find your items!

YOUNG ADULT GIFT BUNDLE: Orthosox // The Sacred and Divine Liturgy // Jesus Prayer Keychain

YIA YIA / BABA’S GIFT BUNDLE: Prosforon Necklace // Festal Foods Tea Towel // Koliva Stencil

Teen Gift Bundle: ICXC Beanie // What I Am Tumbler // Hear Me Prayer Book // Psalm 104 Sticker // Communion of Saints Sticker

DAD/GRANDPA’S GIFT BUNDLE: Ethiopian Cross Notebook // St. George Cross Necklace // If You Can Read This Socks

BABY/TODDLER GIFT BUNDLE: My First Christmas Book + Coloring Book // St. Seraphim Snuggly Saint // Come, Stay, Fetch

TWEEN GIFT BUNDLE: Taras Pappas Sticker Bundle // Sands of Salvation // Queen Abigail Book // The Sacred and Divine Liturgy

MOM’S GIFT BUNDLE: Rose Candle Set of 3 // Peace of Earth Coffee + Mug Bundle

"Put on the New Man" Free Printable

When we first started making the Orthodox Children’s Calendar back in 2017, we reached out to several mothers of older children in our parish to ask what traditions they enjoyed doing with their family during the liturgical year. One mom said that each Pascha, her kids received new clothes to wear to the service, and she presented the clothes to them with little tags that said, “Put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24) I love that she encouraged her children to wear their best for Pascha, while also reminding them that we are to clean our thoughts and minds as we approach the Lord’s Pascha.

I made some for my kids and I can say that they LOVE this part of Holy Saturday. ALSO, we don’t always get new clothes. Very frequently, we use hand-me downs or just buy accessories (like headbands, or fun dress socks).

A few years ago, we partnered with @fortheloveofcursive to make the tags for you. This year, we dug them out of our archives to release! We hope they brighten up your Holy Saturday.

Pascha Basket Gift Guide #2

We’re back with more Pascha Basket ideas! This post features more ideas for Yia Yias/Babas, teens, moms, and young adults. Just click the text for the items you’d like to learn more about. Good Strength!

YIA YIA’S PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: Paschal Egg Candle // Floral Cross Mug // Morning Prayer Print // Christ is Risen Ornament // Sundry Words Bookmark // Paschal Feast Tea Towel

OLDER CHILD PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: The Broken Wheel Graphic Novel // Theotokos Banner // Cedar 3 Bar Cross // Cobalt Cross Sticker

MOM’S PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: Rose Candle Set // He Who Gives Mug // Little Church Print // Floral Cross Pascha Basket Cover

GROWN-UP’S PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: Beatitudes Cards // Wanderlust Coffee // Christ is Risen Mug // St. Gerasimos Print // Seraphim Desk Clock

Pascha Basket Gift Guide

As we are nearing Pascha, we have compiled a list of Pascha Basket ideas from our shop. We’ve tried to compile a basket for several different ages, so we hope this will make shopping for this holiday a bit easier. Simply click on the text below each picture to be sent to your favorite items. We wish you good strength for the remaining time of Lent!

BABY/TODDLER PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: Orthodox Search and Find // Pascha at the Duckpond Book // Resurrection Angel Doll (6 in) // Pysanky Kid Kit

LITTLE KID PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: St. George Snuggly Saint Doll (10in) // The Orthodox Search and Find Book // Journey to Pascha Coloring Book // Holy Angels Matching Game

PLAYFUL PASCHA BASKET

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: Great Feasts Block Puzzle // St. Lazarus Snuggly Saint Doll (6in) // I Pray Today Book // Pascha Bundle

PASCHA BASKET FOR YOUR PRIEST

FIND THESE ITEMS HERE: Ethiopian Cross Notebook // Harrowing of Hades Banner // Incense Set // St. Nikon Mug

Orthodox Saints Valentines - Free Printable!

It’s February!

St. Valentine’s Day decorations are everywhere and schools are gearing up for Valentine’s Day parties. We couldn’t help but thinking that we’d much rather have saintly valentines rather than Disney or cartoon valentines, so we created some! With silly and loving phrases, we think you and your kids will just love these.

To print: Download the file you your computer and select Print. Then select “double-sided print.” Some printers don’t have this option, so you’ll have to print every other page and then flip the pages over and put them back in the printer before printing the backs.

We hope you enjoy them!

For even more St. Valentine’s Day fun, check out our newest St. Valentine Snuggly Saint doll!

HAPPY NAMEDAY BANNER

To celebrate the feast of St. James on Oct. 23rd, we love to do something extra special since so many of our family members have this wonderful saint as their patron.

This year, we are thrilled to release these printable nameday banners for your families to decorate and hang in your homes. Just print, color, and cut! Then punch out the holes and hang on some ribbon! These are perfect to keep and reuse year after year.

We created two different designs just for you all. Banner #1 is a bit more formal. Banner #2 is a bit more fun. Choose your favorite and make it your own!

AND, because our husbands really encouraged us to give away a lot of free stuff on this day, we also created a St. James the Brother Coloring Page with a little blurb about his life for you to read while coloring or after dinner.

Go crazy! Blessed feast of St. James!

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS WORKBOOK

Blessed Feast!

We wish you and your families a blessed feast of the Elevation of the Cross. We hope that you are able to celebrate by attending liturgy at your parish. This is such a beautiful communal feast!

We have created a printable workbook with activities, coloring pages, and a recipe for the festal week from Geraldine and Virginia. We hope that you enjoy it and that it is a blessing to your family. I’ve also put some links on this page of other great places to find activities for this feast. Our kids LOVE to decorate a cross at home with flowers and process around the cross and incense. It’s so easy, and the best part is that the kids can own it themselves by decorating or processing whatever way they choose.

OTHER GREAT RESOURCES:

DRAW NEAR DESIGNS PINTEREST PAGE: We have a whole board with activities, podcasts, and recipes for this feast!

PAROUSIA PRESS BLOG: Parousia Press has FANTASTIC resources for every feast. Check out their blog for any activity, book, or video

ASCETIC LIFE OF MOTHERHOOD BLOG: Kh. Destinie’s guide for September has lots of activities and recipes for the Feast of the Cross

ORTHODOX PEBBLES: Natalie has crafted beautiful resources for kids of all ages on her website. My children LOVE to cut out and work with the paper figures she makes to illustrate this feast. It really helps them understand that these things happened to real Christians!

We hope you enjoy all of these resources and that you are able to learn more about this feast and God’s great love for us through these activities!

-Caroline and Marian

ICONOGRAPHY RESOURCES

Interested in learning more about iconography? Great!

Here are some resources that we found useful when learning about icons along with some websites recommended to us by iconographers. We hope that they are useful to you as you dive into this beautiful part of our faith. Videos and links for younger kids are at the top of the page and resources for older kids and adults are at the bottom of the page.

ORTHODOX PEBBLES VIDEO - ALL ABOUT HOLY ICONS

A short animation to help teach young Orthodox Christian children about holy icons.

ICONOGRAPHY FOR KIDS

In this new 5-video series from the Office of Religious Education of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, Father Marek Visnovsky will be talking about how icons are made and the symbolism behind each stage of the process - for kids!

ICON READER WEBSITE

A website containing an abundance of articles on icons and their meanings. It is very useful for anyone with questions as to why certain elements are featured in icons. Many iconographers use this website to make sure they have the traditional features of each icon - plus, it’s nice to know what each part of the icon means.

TREGUBOV ICONOGRAPHY

This website contains links to videos and books about how icons are made and how embroidered icons are made. It is immensely helpful for new iconographers to get an idea for what goes in to writing these holy art forms. It is operated by Fr. and Mat. Tregubov, who also contributed their wisdom to the 2023 Children’s Calendar!

BOOKS ABOUT ICONOGRAPHY

THE MEANING OF ICONS

The nature of the icon cannot be grasped by means of pure art criticism, nor by the adoption of a sentimental point of view. Its forms are based on the wisdom contained in the theological and liturgical writings of the Eastern Orthodox Church and are intimately bound up with the experience of contemplative life.

The introduction into the meaning and the language of the icons by Ouspensky imparts to us in an admirable way the spiritual conceptions of the Eastern Orthodox Church which are often so foreign to us, but without the knowledge of which we cannot possibly understand the world of the icon.

"It is not the purpose of the icon to touch its contemplator. Neither is it its purpose to recall one or the other human experience of natural life; it is meant to lead every human sentiment as well as reason and all other qualities of human nature on the way to illumination."

Click HERE to find this book at SVS Press.

THE ICON: WINDOW ON THE KINGDOM

In recent years there has been a sort of 'rediscovery' of icons by Western Christians. There is an increasing awareness that the icon is not merely a work of art, but is also an aspect of diving revelation and of our communing with God in the Church. Quenot's analysis of various icons and their theological elements enables the readers to appreciate the various aspects of the icon more fully. Michel Quenot has sketched a brief yet highly descriptive history of iconography together with a discussion of the canons and laws which govern this ancient art form. Translated from the French and already published in eight languages, The Icon: Window on the Kingdom includes 33 color photos and 34 black and white illustrations. Among its many illustrations are included examples of works by modern iconographers, which show the icon to be a living and vital art form, bit outmoded or stagnant. The book also covers historical sources, theological and biblical foundations, iconographic themes, and the icon's role in the life of believers. It includes discussion of current discoveries and recent scholarship from catacomb art through Egyptian, Byzantine, Balkan, Russian and contemporary iconography.

Click HERE to find this book on Amazon.

PICTURES OF GOD

When the Son of God came down from heaven to become a man like us, He made it possible for us to see Him, touch Him, and make pictures of Him pictures which we call icons. This little book brings God and His saints vividly into children's lives through icons, explaining in the simplest terms what each icon means and what the role of these holy pictures and the holy stories and people they depict can be in our lives. The colorful pages of Pictures of God are perfect for occupying little hands in church, for explaining the world of icons in the first years of Sunday school, and for read-aloud time with little ones at home.

Click HERE to find this book in the Draw Near Designs Shop.

WORKS BY ICONOGRAPHERS IN OUR CALENDAR:

Johnathan Pageau

Wayne Hajos

Andrew Levine

MEET THE MAKER >>New Rome Press

Today we are introducing the priest behind a business that we deeply respect— Newrome Press! We are honored to carry a selection of their books for both children and adults, and everything they produce is made with the utmost care and quality. Now, with no further ado… Fr Michael Monos!

My name is Rev. Fr. Michael Monos. My wife and I are originally from Southern California; we  live in Columbia, Missouri where we serve the parish of St. Luke the Evangelist in the  Metropolis of Chicago, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Newrome Press was originally  founded in 2008 while we were serving a parish in Virginia. Ours is an independent publishing  ministry — both Presvytera and my son Matthew are integral co-workers at Newrome Press —  and as such does not represent, nor is it officially affiliated with, any Orthodox jurisdiction.  

Who is your patron saint, and is that a meaningful person in your life?  

I consider myself to be blessed with three patrons: my namesake, the holy Archangel Michael,  my middle namesake, George the Trophy-bearer, and the patron of my ordination date, St.  Nektarios the Wonderworker. I have learned from all of my patrons, especially about courage  and steadfastness before the Lord. I feel blessed to be spiritually joined to them all.  

How did you get started doing what you do now? 

I began actively using computers in 1981 as a youngster, which included exposure to early  word processing systems. My fascination with the presentation of the written word developed  over time, in concert with my developing interest in computer technology. As an undergrad I  worked as an Apple Certified Technician, and began doing side jobs for faculty who required  assistance with preparing manuscripts for publication. I typeset my first book for one of my  undergraduate professors using v1 of Framemaker in 1990. I continue to have a deep interest  in bookmaking and its intersection with technology. 

What is your favorite part of what you do? 

I experience the greatest joy when serving before the Holy Table and celebrating the divine  mysteries as a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My favorite part of running an  Orthodox press is to produce meaningful content beautifully presented, which spiritually edifies  my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

What is an aspect of being a small business owner that is a struggle for you?  

Producing a high-quality product means sourcing manufacturing from overseas. There is  simply no domestic manufacturer who can meet our standards for quality with our modest  resources. In 2020, due to COVID, overseas procurement and logistics became more stressful,  costly, and complicated. Currently it is the biggest obstacle that we face. 

What is your favorite project that you have completed? 

In the youth category, it is O is for Orthodox, a.recent addition to our catalog. It was a complex  project that pushed the boundaries of our manufacturing experience. We feel the result is  outstanding. In the general audience category, it is the prayer books Mother of the Light and  Light of the World. Based on the feedback that we have received, these books have been  spiritually transformative for many people. It has been wonderfully gratifying to work together 

with Fr. Maximos Constas, and our incredible artists Vladimir and Pedrag Ilievski to produce  books that become our reader’s companions in life. 

What is your dream product/project for the future?  

There are lots of dream projects percolating in our minds and hearts — we don’t want to ruin  the surprise, so stay tuned! 

You can find a variety of Newrome Press books in our Shop or on his website. Thank you for helping us support our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ!

MEET THE MAKER >>Poustinia Press

Meet the maker… Jennifer Anna Rich of Poustinia Press! We have long been admirers of her beautiful letterpressed products and thoughtful, intentional sharing on social media, and this interview was a lovely way to get to know her better. You can find a selection of the prayer cards she creates here and here in our Marketplace, and her book and more are available at her Etsy shop.

hi there, i'm jennifer anna rich of poustinia press, a small private press set on our small farm near portland, oregon.

here we tend to horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, fruits and vegetables.

we give thanks for the delicious kale, strawberries and lamb chops, and i make parchment from the skins of our saint croix sheep skins.

at poustinia press i print letterpress prayer cards and bind prayer books, as time allows.

in 2019 i authored a book called 'prayer spa: ancient treatments for the modern soul', published by paraclete press.

as an extension of that work, i lead prayer spa pilgrimages to places like hawaii and greece, with daily gatherings for prayer, stillness, watercolor journaling, and daily talks by beloved author, frederica mathewes-green. we belong to a beautiful greek orthodox parish here, st. john the baptist.

during the week i oversee oblation papers & press with my husband, which we founded over 30 years ago.

it is a papermaking studio, letterpress print shop and stationery store in portland's pearl district.

What is your go-to drink at your favorite coffee shop?

occasionally i treat myself to the creamy taste and pale green color of a matcha latte.
years ago i bribed myself to love green tea, with a little bit of honey on my tongue, a little bit of honey in my tea... now i like it plain, as a cup of antioxidants each morning to accompany my morning prayers.

What are you currently reading?

well, we just traveled to nashville to get an australian shepherd puppy (with a tail!), so i have been pouring over 'the art of raising a puppy' by the orthodox monks of new skete.

great practical ways of approaching dog/wolf psychology, while expanding my appreciation of God's creation, in this new relationship with our little ruby.

Who is your patron saint, and is that a meaningful person in your life?

saint anna, the mother of the theotokos, is my saint.

i love her patience and affection for her husband, and honoring her craft: an early weaver of fine cloth.

How did you get started doing what you do now?

ron and i started making paper on our month-long honeymoon on the oregon coast ... tossing sea pods and grasses into a blender, then offering the rough handmade papers at the eugene saturday market. a few years later, in 1994, we bought our first letterpress and learned how to print from an old printer's manual. some years ago, for my 50th birthday, i jumped in my car and headed to telluride, colorado, to learn bookbinding for my next chapter.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

i love being in my quiet studio, printing prayer cards and praying the jesus prayer to the rhythm of the press.

What do you try to communicate with your art & work?

i do love being quiet in prayer, and having a way to share the beauty of simply being with God through the time-honored prayers of our ancient church.

i hope my prayer cards and prayer books will be a useful tool to move people toward closer connection with their Creator.

What is your favorite project that you have completed?

my first parchment prayer book was very rustic, with many pages printed slightly unevenly.

but my parish chose to offer it as a gift to our metropolitan, gerasimos.

this was such an honor for me to be able to give, and to let go.

What is your dream project for the future?

i would love to make a letterpress prayer book of occasional prayers.

this was my first idea, when i was pregnant with my first daughter, 25 years ago!

but such a huge project, and open-ended.

still, nice to have a dream project in my back pocket.