Dedicated to making the wisdom of the ancient Orthodox Christian Faith accessible to the modern child.
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We are in the process of producing a series of videos on behalf of Studion Ministries
Please check them out!
For more videos, please check out our new YouTube channel:
Studion Ministries
To keep up with my travels to Sinai,
please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/paideaclassics/
or
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THE EXODUS AND ITS APPLICATION TODAY:
Freeing Ourselves From The Entanglements of This World
and
Seeking Simplicity in Our Family Life
and
Seeking Simplicity in Our Family Life
Now, more than ever, as Orthodox Christian believers we find ourselves feeling trapped in an increasingly hostile culture. The security and freedom we have known and have taken for granted are steadily disappearing. How do we spiritually prepare ourselves and our families for the difficult times we sense are coming?
This short book points to the Exodus as the answer and pairs quotations from Holy Scripture and the Saints along with photography of Sinai. It also looks to the Bedouin people and their ancient culture as an example of simplicity. It is our hope that this book will both be spiritually edifying, offering encouragement and practical direction, as well as visually uplifting, capturing the dramatic beauty of Sinai and its people.
This short book points to the Exodus as the answer and pairs quotations from Holy Scripture and the Saints along with photography of Sinai. It also looks to the Bedouin people and their ancient culture as an example of simplicity. It is our hope that this book will both be spiritually edifying, offering encouragement and practical direction, as well as visually uplifting, capturing the dramatic beauty of Sinai and its people.
The PDF version of this talk/book is available for download below:
| exodustalkweb.pdf |
Available now!
All profits from the sale of this book either go to St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Egypt, or to the Sinai Bedouin Embroidery Project.
St. Paisios the New in Sinai, written by Debra Sancer, interweaves the life of St. Paisios with Sinai's history and holy sites. Experience the beauty of Sinai with St. Paisios through the exquisite art of Magdalene-Lisa Robertson and Maura Grimm.
8.5"x8.5"; 40 Pages.
To see the interior pages, visit: the St. Katherine Project page.
We offer bulk and wholesale discounts.
Please email [email protected] for more information.
St. Paisios the New in Sinai, written by Debra Sancer, interweaves the life of St. Paisios with Sinai's history and holy sites. Experience the beauty of Sinai with St. Paisios through the exquisite art of Magdalene-Lisa Robertson and Maura Grimm.
8.5"x8.5"; 40 Pages.
To see the interior pages, visit: the St. Katherine Project page.
We offer bulk and wholesale discounts.
Please email [email protected] for more information.
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Glory to God For All Things Nature Journal
This unlined-page journal can be used for hand-drawn illustrations, handwritten narrative text and poetry for nature study or as a personal prayer journal. Verses from the Akathist Hymn, "Glory to God For All Things" is included on each page. This hymn is immensely beautiful as well as inspirational. Its verses transform this journal into an Orthodox Christian book of prayer when finished. To see a PDF sample of the interior: Click Here |
Glory to God For All Things Prayer Journal
This lined-page journal can be used handwritten notes, quotations, poetry, etc, as a personal prayer journal. Verses from the Akathist Hymn, "Glory to God For All Things" is included on each page. This hymn is immensely beautiful as well as inspirational. Its verses transform this journal into an Orthodox Christian book of prayer. To see a PDF sample of the interior: Click Here |
Available now in Print!
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This two-volume lesson planner is intended for lesson planning, and/or post-lesson documentation, to thoroughly document student work and to make transcript preparation easier. It includes inspirational quotations on every page, with quarterly charts containing quotations on Orthodox education and weekly charts focusing on a particular virtue/vice for each week. 40-weeks of charts are divided between two volumes, each containing 20 weeks. This planner series is not tied to a calendar and can be started at any time of the year. It can be used for up to 4-5 younger children or 1-2 high school youth preparing for higher education. This volume includes yearly charts, and quarterly charts, as well as weekly charts.
Each volume contains 188 pages.
Here is a sample of its content and how it is organized:
Download File
Each volume contains 188 pages.
Here is a sample of its content and how it is organized:
Download File
Available Now!
Greek Alphabet Primer
This course offers a creative approach to learning the Greek Alphabet. Children will enjoy engaging with each of the 24 letters in the following ways:
These materials are recommended for children who are already fluent readers in English (ages 8 and up,) but younger siblings will enjoy coloring and listening to stories as well.
Mallory Stripling, who is both the author and illustrator for this primer, is a Greek instructor at St. Raphael Classical School. She is a home school alumna, mom of three, and has been teaching Greek to Orthodox students since 2011. We are very privileged to be publishing her beautiful work.
This course offers a creative approach to learning the Greek Alphabet. Children will enjoy engaging with each of the 24 letters in the following ways:
- Learning the modern pronunciation (used in the Orthodox church)
- "Illuminating" letters with colorful pictures
- Practicing Greek penmanship with copy work
- Reading the story of a saint with a Greek name
- Coloring an icon
These materials are recommended for children who are already fluent readers in English (ages 8 and up,) but younger siblings will enjoy coloring and listening to stories as well.
Mallory Stripling, who is both the author and illustrator for this primer, is a Greek instructor at St. Raphael Classical School. She is a home school alumna, mom of three, and has been teaching Greek to Orthodox students since 2011. We are very privileged to be publishing her beautiful work.
Volume 1, of Stories from Church History
Which compliment the first half of
A Children's History of the Church,
and
Volume 2, of Stories from Church History,
which complements the second half of
A Children's History of the Church,
are now available!
Our Publishings:
Boris in Russia
From the preface:
In this story of Russian life, one sees broad fields of grain and flax, herds of sheep and cattle grazing on the grassy steppes, slow rivers creeping for hundreds of miles across the vast plains; and one feels the deep religious fervor of the people and grasps the nation's wonderful opportunity for power and progress. In contrast to the humble home of the peasant, with its bare furnishings and meager fare, there is the magnificent splendor of the cathedral with its ceremonies, its jeweled icons, its thousands of flickering candles,--tiny flames symbolic of desire, which once kindled, burns forever in the human heart. Boris Antonovitch, the young peasant of the story, typifies the Russia which feels a stir of might and looks for a place among the great nations of the world. Born in a country village on the Volga River, he grows to be a sturdy, active lad, doing his share of the work in the fields, and taking his part in the fun of the village festivals. But he longs to see the world, and with his father's permission he goes to the great fair at Nizhni Novgorod, which has been held annually for over five hundred years. Later he goes to Moscow where he sees the snowfall over the city, just as it fell in 1812, driving Napoleon and his French army out of Russia in disastrous defeat. He is in St. Petersburg for the blessing of the waters of the Neva, and for the joyous celebration of Pascha; and it is here that he decides to find his place in the work of progress for his people. Our Young Folks' Josephus
Author: William Shepard
“Our Young Folks’ Josephus” is a simplified retelling of the great historian Flavius Josephus’ epic narratives, “The Antiquities of the Jews” and “The Jewish Wars.” It covers the history of Israel from the time of Abraham until the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, following the Septuagint chronology. This work is an invaluable supplement to the study of Old Testament history, covering a broad period of time in detail, yet at a more manageable pace suitable for the mid-elementary level through middle school. Now Available. "...a must have for every bookshelf." ~ Eclectic Homeschool Online Paperback with illustrations, 6"X9", 480 pages. Recommended for ages 9+. Also available as an MP3 audiobook read by Jim Hodges with accompanying music and sound effects. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 8+ hours of audio. For an audio sample: Other Planned Projects:
The Queen's Rebellion
Author: John Davis
It is the year 377 AD, and the reign of Constantine is but a distant memory. The Roman Empire is beset by enemies on all sides, and within its borders the regime of the Arian emperor Valens will stop at nothing to destroy those it deems a threat. The agents of the emperor search high and low for the slightest hints of disloyalty, and punishment is swift and brutal. For those Christians who hold to the Nicene Faith it is an especially dark time, as the Arian emperors have reintroduced the ancient penalties first instituted by their pagan predecessors. Countless bishops and priests have disappeared, seized by the emperor’s ever-watchful spies, and banished to die as slaves in the hellish mines of Phaino on the shores of the Dead Sea. But even as the Arians struggle to crush their enemies, many in high places whisper to one another of casting out the cult of the Galilean altogether, and returning the old gods to their rightful place of honor. In the midst of all this the chief of the Nicene Tanukhid Arabs dies, leaving his widow Mawiya as the sole ruler of the tribes. The Tanukhids are a proud people, and when the Roman government gives them cause for offense, Mawiya is more than willing to remind the Romans who the true masters of the desert frontier are. Hundreds of miles away from Syria and Palestine, Silvanus Flavius Victor, a distinguished Roman officer and diplomat, is looking forward to his imminent retirement after brokering a treaty with the Persians. But as events back home spiral out of control, he finds himself recalled from his negotiations and tasked with a new mission–tracking down the queen who has humiliated the legions and ending her revolt by any means necessary. As Victor sets out on his new task with grim determination, rumors flying on the wind from oasis to oasis tell of strange happenings in the deep desert. They tell of a hermit named Moses who can heal the sick, and they whisper of great and terrible signs that have appeared on the Mountain of the Prophets. As these tidings draw Mawiya and her people towards the wilderness of Sinai, with Victor close behind, the stage is set for a fateful encounter that will change their lives and the course of history. 
The Queen’s Rebellion, and the planned trilogy of which it is the first part, is based on true events and real people, and draws from a wide array of period sources to tell a story long forgotten. It is a story of bravery, martyrdom, and intrigue that unfolds across the Roman East, from the desert stronghold of Dumat al-Jandal to the fetid slums and canals of Alexandria to the glittering palaces of Constantinople. It is the story of an Arab queen who shook the throne of an emperor with her spear and won an Orthodox bishop for her people. And it is the story of how a man who once served at the right hand of Julian the Apostate became the friend and confidant of men like Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus, and would eventually turn his back on the glories of the earth.
A Tale of Four Cakes
by Matushka Anna Crawford
Read by Sophia Lyda A story of a young Orthodox girl choosing between marriage or monasticism. |
A Children's History of the
Author: John Mason Neale "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 John Mason Neale beautifully captures the struggle of the early Church from her humble beginnings in Jerusalem, through her rapid spread throughout the ancient world as the Apostles scattered far and wide to proclaim the Word of God, to her challenges of preserving the Faith in spite of many temptations that flooded the Church after its legalization. Included in this volume are stories of some of her greatest saints,-Martyrs glorifying God under intense persecution, and Defenders of the Faith fighting for Truth against a wide assortment of heretical teachings. Using an immensely engaging style of narration, this work is truly a classic, offering great historical detail in a story form that captures both the mind and heart of a child. Includes many added illustrations of early Christian artifacts, added historical and patristic references and much more! A Spark From God: Volume 1:
In spite of being published over 100 years ago, this book was treasured during the Communist era and has remained in use by pious Orthodox families in Russia and Ukraine until this day.
Originally published in Russia and Ukraine in 1903, A Spark From God was compiled by Archpriest Gregoriy Dyachyenko, a well known and respected theologian and spiritual writer of his time. This compilation focuses on the spiritual and moral formation of girls and women of all ages. This was the first work of its kind intended specifically for girls and women, and teaches through short stories, lives of saints, spiritual counsels, and poetry. It conveys the ideals of Christian womanhood: acquiring virtue, family relationships, motherhood and the upbringing of children, as well as monasticism. This is volume 1 of a three-part series, and is intended for young girls ages 8-12. Stories from Church History
Author: A Collection
"And the Gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 Withstanding outside persecutions, and fighting heresies from within, the Church has continued to struggle to survive and to transform the world around her. A selection of short stories of the major people and events from the time of the Apostles until modern times are retold here in an engaging style that will inspire as well as inform. Writings from re-knowned authors of the 19th century, who especially loved to excite their younger audience with stories of faith, struggle and triumph, are gathered in this volume, arranged in chronological order. Volume 1 covers A.D. 66–312; Volume 2 covers A.D. 312-450; Volume 3 covers A.D. 450-1800's.
Author: Alfred Church
ONE OF THE GREATEST TRAGEDIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD The "Story of the Last Days of Jerusalem" is an adaptation of Josephus' dramatic first-hand account of the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 in his famous historical work, "The Jewish Wars." It captures in detail one of the greatest tragedies of all time, often overlooked in more contemporary histories. Some of the scenes are particularly graphic and are not suitable for younger or more sensitive readers. But this text is an invaluable addition for the more mature student who is interested in studying the final history of Ancient Israel, yet does not have the time to read Josephus' original but very lengthy work. Includes a scriptural quotation at the beginning of each chapter prophecying the events taking place. Paperback. 144 pages. The Egyptian Wanderers
Author: John Mason Neale
“Why should I speak of the multitude of them that wandered in deserts and mountains, and perished by hunger, and thirst, and cold, and diseases, and robbers, and wild beasts?—of whose victory those among them that were survivors are witnesses. But I will produce one of these occurrences as an example.” –Eusebius Ecclesiastical History vi. 42. "The following story is based on that passage of Eusebius, which I have quoted as its motto. That during the fury of the persecution the Egyptian Deserts were filled with confessors, most of whom perished there, is abundantly testified by that historian, who had himself visited Alexandria while the remembrance of their sufferings was yet fresh. The anecdotes occasionally introduced are with one exception, taken from the early ecclesiastical historians, or from the Martyrologies." ~John Mason Neale, Sackville College, March 16, 1854 This story begins at the library of St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, where the narrator finds an ancient tattered volume telling of one family's struggle of faith as they flee into the Egyptian wilderness during the tenth great persecution of Rome. The Exiles of the Cebenna
Author: John Mason Neale
A Flight into the Wilderness... Told from the perspective of Aurelius Gratian, a Priest of the holy Church of God, "The Exiles of the Cebenna" is a moving account of the community of Christians in the Church of Arles during the Decian persecution (249-251 AD). Written in lively 19th century English by John Mason Neale and annotated by Paidea Classics for contemporary readers, the tale weaves together the tribulations of the Christians who remained in Arles for the persecution with the experiences of those who, led by Father Gratian, dared an escape from the city. The Exiles of the Cebenna is at once a suspenseful adventure story and an especially heartening lesson to inspire and fortify children for the life of faith that all true followers of Christ are called upon to live. Paperback. |
If you ask what is the good in general of the paideia, the answer is easy. The paideia makes good men, and good men act nobly.”
-Plato, when quoting Socrates.
The Greek word paideia, “pie-day-yah” (English pronunciation) describes an ancient form of education which strived to develop the whole person intellectually, bodily, and in character. In Proverbs in the Greek Septuagint: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6) the Greek word used for 'train' is 'paideia'. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul deepened the meaning of the word, when he exhorted the Ephesians to: “…bring up your children in the 'training and instruction' (paideia) of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). In the Christian context, it includes discipline and training for the life long spiritual struggle for repentance against the passions (Galatians 5:24, 1Peter 2:11) and striving to be clothed in the virtues of Christ, our wedding garment (Matthew 22:11, Galatians 3:27, 1Peter 5:5).
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training (paideia) and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (paideia) in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16).
“It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline (paideia), and do not lose heart when He rebukes you…’” (Hebrews 12:5).
“No discipline (paideia) seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).