I have heard that St. Seraphim of Sarov would greet everyone he met with, “Christ is Risen, My Joy.” It did not matter what season of the year it was. He would always use the Paschal greeting, and rather than use a name, he would call each person, “My Joy.” I do not think he just had trouble remembering names. He truly felt joy in the presence of each visitor that came to him. I was considering what that would be like to look at each person we meet with joy like that. We so often see other ... [Read more]
Parenting
This category contains 15 article(s).
A Father, Son Walk
I’m often reminded of my priest’s words to me after my son entered my life. “All children come with a PhD,” he said, “a Parental Healing Doctorate. Your son will be your teacher.” I was reminded again of this while waiting with my son for my car to be fixed. I misjudged the time, and we had several hours to wait rather than just one. I decided we’d go for a walk and run some errands to fill the time. Walking hand in hand with my five year old son brought me reflections on my walk with my ... [Read more]
GREAT LENT: A time for reflection, responsibility and transformation
Most parents realize that keeping their babies healthy requires taking them to the pediatrician for their “well baby” check-ups. At each visit the doctor weighs and measures their kids to make sure they are growing at a healthy rate, checking eyesight and hearing, and answering any questions about behavior and health issues. As parents, we can’t wait for our children to reach important milestones – the first pounds gained, sitting up straight, rolling over, crawling, walking and eating solid ... [Read more]
A Home Filled with Prayer is as natural as breathing…
“In a home filled with prayer, God is tasted, prayer is as natural as breathing, and Holy Tradition is passed to the next generation less by preaching than by life example.” ~ Sister Magdalen of Essex (21 Century) Imagine, if prayer were as natural as breathing? Praying together as a family takes commitment and effort. Our kiddos can often be squirmy and wiggly, yet once they witness the rhythm of prayer in the home, they too, will join along and experience one of the greatest ... [Read more]
Connecting Through Christ for Healthier Family Relationships
Love is the only thing that matters and the only thing worth living for. Still, despite our best intentions, many of us tend to miss the mark when we communicate with others—especially those we love most—as negative patterns and destructive relational cycles veer us off course. When that happens, it’s important to keep in mind that the way we approach and respond to each other is paramount to deepening our connections. But old habits die hard, so how might we move in a better ... [Read more]
In Stillness and Silence: Reflecting on the Nativity of Christ
The second week of December brought a rare snowstorm to the Northwest. Seeing my backyard blanketed in white was a bit nostalgic for me. When it snows, it takes me back to my childhood in the Midwest, building snowmen, ice skating on the pond and sledding with friends. As a father, I had the opportunity, recently, to relive the past. While I was enjoying watching my children create snow angels, throw snowballs, and compete to see who can travel the fastest and the farthest on their sleds, I ... [Read more]
Book Review – Parenting Toward the Kingdom
In Parenting Toward the Kingdom: Orthodox Christian Principles of Child-Rearing (Ancient Faith Publishing), Philip Mamalakis, PHD, aims to “connect the daily struggles of family life and parenting to timeless truths of the Orthodox Christian Church.” By invoking centuries of combined wisdom from St. Paul, St. John Chrysostom, St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Porphyrios—and many others—Dr. Mamalakis transcends time and space with a generous offering on parenting, including research from the field of ... [Read more]
Be Fruitful and Multiply
In his second interview with OCN (Orthodox Christian Network), Fr. Timothy Pavlatos likens the blessings of children to “precious jewels in the crown of marriage” while also explaining the meaning of God's command: “Be fruitful and multiply,” (Genesis: 1:28). The miracle of having children, says Fr. Timothy, is an expression of God’s love for all humanity and an opportunity to be co-creators with Him—something that is beyond comprehension, though not beyond the human experience. Take a ... [Read more]
Peace, Humility, Courage: Pillars of Christ’s Love
There are three pillars that allow the love of Christ to flourish in a family and in relationships. Our love is incomplete but Christ’s love completes us—and those around us. The pillars are peace, which is a product of the Holy Spirit; humility, which allows us to recognize our shortcomings; and the courage to desire to follow God in a world that pulls us away from Him. Each pillar uniquely draws us to our Creator and then opens our heart for His love to reign within us and in the hearts of our ... [Read more]
Raising Independent Children to Be Dependent on God
Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a nationally certified counselor, and his wife, Presvyetera Vicki, know a thing or two about raising children—after all, they are rearing their nine children together. Still, amid shifting cultural values and a host of other modern-day challenges, bringing up kids today is no easy matter. And yet, God’s grace could help play a big role in this equation—if we let Him. Not too long ago, Fr. Timothy, the Family Wellness ... [Read more]
