Christ is Risen !

A sleepy little girl, during Divine Liturgy

Christ is Risen !  What a glorious journey it has been for us !  Having my children with me really made it so special.   They were able to attend every single service through Holy Week (except the Hours on Holy Friday morning) and really enjoyed it.  We talked at length about the meaning of the week and of the Feast.  In their own simple understanding, they really were able to understand the meaning of Pascha (Easter) and were joyous and filled with anticipation as we arrived at the Resurrection service.

Of course, it was exhausting - but I think it takes every Orthodox family a few days to fully recover from Holy Week.  We are at Church services every single day and/or night, sometimes more than once a day.  Some of those services are very long and end very late - which can definitely be a challenge for families with children.  But to teach a child that our spiritual journey is NOT always easy, is a good lesson for them to start learning in their early years.

Of course, after a few hours of sleep...someone has to get up and start cooking for the dinner on Sunday. That "someone" is ME.   In our family, I have always taken this holiday in our home as it is so very special and I am honored to prepare the Feast !

My little man holding his own Paschal candle after receiving the Holy Light

Great Lent with my Little Ones

Sunday of Orthodoxy

As most Orthodox Christians, I eagerly await this spiritual journey through Great Lent.  What an awesome gift !  But as my children start to become a little older, I begin to wonder how can I make it mean something to them...in their own little way.  I thought about a calendar, like the ones sold HERE.  It looks wonderful and I think it's a great idea.  But in our house, that presents a few challenges.  Sophia is REALLY into all things letters and numbers.  Prices, sizes, bar codes, grocery flyers, microwave clocks, etc.  I have had to put our Melissa and Doug calendar away for a little while because she was "missing the point" of the daily flow of things and only interested in manipulating the numbers, moving them around, etc.  Along with that, we have a more pertinent issue....which is Demetrios !  There is NO WAY those cute little magnets would stay on the refrigerator in ANY sort of order !  I think next year, when they are 5 and 3 years old, it might be a better idea !
So, I sat down with the kids on Clean Monday (the first Monday of Lent) and explained (mostly for Sophia's benefit of course) the fact that we were starting this period of Lent.  I kept the conversation fun and simple.  I reminded her of Pascha last  year - and then began to add this period of preparation to her explanation.  I explained that we'd be changing the rhythm of things in the home a bit.  Any new plan seems to excite them, so this is good !

We have added some additional prayers and prostrations to our morning prayer time.  We've also added times throughout the day for the Jesus Prayer.   The kids seem to be enjoying this even more than I had anticipated - Glory be to God.   I try to find a time during the day for them to at least SIT somewhere near me while I read aloud my assigned Kathismata from the Psalter for the Psalter reading group.  Of course, there are the extra Church services which they notice right away! They are trying (and being reminded...CONSTANTLY) to act with LOVE toward one another, not to yell or hit, to share more, donate some of their things, etc. etc.    I think seeing their little efforts in this area is my favorite.  We enjoy listening to the Hymns of this time in both Greek and English.  I think our favorite is Gates of Repentance.  If you have have not listened to it, I cannot recommend it enough !  Sophia has also been trying to teach her little brother to chant the Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen)...so she is taking over some of the teaching around here too.

So, these are some of the things we are trying to do a little differently around here to make this period stand out a bit for our children, at their own level of understanding, without overwhelming them.

If you have young children (or maybe they are older now)..what kind of things did you do during this time to make it meaningful and help them to understand ?

Depends on the day....

It's either his "kalimafki" or his "Bishop hat"....he comes up with this stuff by himself which really only adds to my chuckles !

Epiphany 2011

A Blessed Theophany to all - as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ !  Unfortunately, I have been home with my sick children for a few days and we were unable to attend Divine Liturgy or the traditional dive for the Cross.  Thankfully, the children were able to see some of it via television/computer and my Yiayia brought us home the Ayiasmos (Holy Water).

Orthodox Ornament exchange for the kids

Sophia signed up for the Orthodox Ornament exchange over at Sylvia's site again this year.  She had so much fun doing it last year (both making AND receiving the ornaments) and was really excited about doing it again !  Unfortunately, the kids have both been very sick and we were not able to do a whole lot of preparation and had to leave everything to the last minute (when she was feeling well enough to ENJOY making her gifts).

As an added surprise, her Baba was home from work that day.  He had taken that day off because we were supposed to be taking a long weekend away with the kids, but had to cancel because they were so ill.  He, very willingly, sat at the table with her for several hours while she made her crosses to send to the children!  I didn't think to take a final picture of the finished product after they were wrapped up.  But she was happy with them, she had tons of fun making them, and got to spend some unexpected quality time with her father - and that is wonderful !

She has already started receiving some of the ornaments this week and is SO happy to see what everybody sent.  What a difference a year in age can make....she is actually noticing and appreciating the ornaments as they come.   She is identifying the Icons that some used and asking "how" each was made as well.  She asks me over and over to check the cards and tell her the names of the kids that made them too.  What a great idea - hope we get to do it every year !

Happy St. Nicholas Day !

St. Nicholas

Today we celebrate the Feastday of St. Nicholas.  Last night I cuddled up with my two little ones on the couch and we read the Life of St. Nicholas together.  Before they went to bed, they eagerly put their shoes by the door for St. Nicholas.  Sophia fell asleep singing and humming "Holy Father Nicholas" !  This morning, even though they were up WAY too early because they are not feeling well, Sophia led them running to check their shoes.  In this house (just like last year), St. Nicholas likes to leave some gold chocolate coins and a few Orthodox books !  

May you all have a Blessed Feast Day.  Holy St. Nicholas, intercede to God for us !  

A gift for Demetri

My little boy loves to go to Church.  He used to be quite a challenge...but over the last year or so has really settled down and is a pleasure to take to services.  He LOVES to participate.  At home he initiates prayer throughout the day (meals, morning, etc), loves to chant the hymns he knows, venerates his icons, etc.  When we are in Church, he is no different.  He chants along with the chanters, sometimes even visiting them up at their chanting stands.  He says his prayers, the ones he knows...and mumbles along the ones he doesn't know.  He makes the sign of the Cross (well, almost) and does his metanoia (prostrations)...and he censes.  He ALWAYS censes.  He is always aware of where Father is, what he is doing, where he is moving.  If he can't see him, he asks to move around so he can catch a glimpse of him or we pick him up.  

He would use some of his favorite items as his "censor".  Seen here, he is using his favorite bear.  He uses our prayer ropes, necklaces, keychains, etc.  

But last week, he got the best little gift ever...

smiling and staring at his "censor" saying "just like Father's" !

during Vespers for the Entrance of the Theotokos

leavng the Chapel after Vespers

Consecration of our Church

Our family had the lovely Blessing of attending the Consecration of our Church !  What a great experience and probably one that we will not have the honor of seeing again.  The services started Friday night with the Arrival of the Relics, Procession into the Church and Vespers.  Saturday morning started with the Consecration services and Liturgy.  It was beautiful.  My husband served in the altar and said it was such an honor to witness something so awesome ! My little girl was one of the Myrophores and I was so proud of how well she did !

The relics that were placed in the Altar table were those of St. George, St. Panteleimon, and the Holy Martyrs/Monks of St. Savas Monastery on Mt. Athos.  What Blessings !

Many Years to my little girl

Today we celebrate the Feast day for our daughter's patron Saint.  May she have many years. Xronia Polla!

We enjoyed a lovely day together today and tonight our family came over for some sweets after dinner to celebrate her special day.  We bought her a few new spiritual books that she had pointed out in a catalog and enjoyed reading them tonight before she fell asleep !  I think it's important to start family traditions when they are young -and learning the importance of your nameday and observing it in some special way  is an important thing for a child.

Many years to all those celebrating today !   

My little man in Church

I hesitated on whether or not to post any words along with these pictures, but it has been such a long road for our little guy that I thought it deserved a small post.  Learning how to behave during Church services (loooong and frequent services) can be difficult for little ones!  Learning how to get through it can be difficult for parents as well !  

We've had both of our children in Church since their 40 day blessing.   Glory to God for all things.  Sophia made it seem easy.  She made me feel like a very competent Christian mother.  Everything went just as I had envisioned it when I would try to plan how I would "teach" my children about our worship.  When she was younger, she spent a lot of time in my sling or other carriers.  She would stay in there most of the service, come out to receive Holy Communion and then sit quietly for the end of the service.  I was so calm and thankful.  My prayer was not interrupted.  My active participation in our Holy services was just as it was before she was born !  I only remember having to leave the Church to go to back when she needed to be nursed or changed.  As she got older and spent less time in a carrier...I didn't know what to expect.  But I knew what was expected of me, as her mother.   She was quiet, never tried to run away, always listened, never brought many "things" to play with and still doesn't know that the Church has a playroom/nursery upstairs.  I am very thankful.  

When Demetri came along, I have to admit that I felt pretty confident that I would be able to instill in him the same proper behavior that his sister had made look easy !  THIS was not the case.  I did things the same.  Talked to him the same way about services, treated him the same way when we were there and so on.  As all mothers know, each of our children can be very different.  He spent quite a bit of time in my sling as well, but as he got bigger he was less and less content there.  He just LOVES to go, move, talk, etc.  He is not content sitting in a pew for a few hours at a time.  It is so hard for him, which I completely understand.    So often I hear the comment "Oh, he is nothing like his sister" or "you have your hands full with him huh" or "boys will be boys"!  

 I admit that I have spent countless hours in the Narthex of our Church.  We sit up front and I can't tell you how many times I am walking from the front of the Church, to the back - over and over and over - poor Sophia, tagging along !   I often wonder if all the people standing in the pews along the way are thinking "WHY doesn't she just STAY back there"?  I'm sure at some point they have all said that at one point or another.  But, with Christ all things are possible !  Through prayer and His Grace, he is slowly learning to be still.  Through HIS struggle, I am struggling and learning too.  I am so thankful for this opportunity.  He is learning to love our Faith and our Church.  He can't WAIT to see Father come out of the Royal Doors.  He can often be seen pretending to "cense", using a komboskini (prayer rope, pictured above) as his censor.  He recognizes certain prayers and hymns that he hears often.  He can "chant" Ayios O Theos...well, some of it !  He has come a long way.  He still tries to run - but now instead of trying to run away from me, he is trying to run up to the altar.  He is either trying to approach the lower level icons on the Iconastasi, or he sees our Priest or his Baba.  In my mind, I am happy that his attention is THERE and not somewhere else...so I don't mind running up and getting him a few times.  

We still have such a LONG way to go.  He does.  I do.  We all do really.  I thought that in the event that any struggling mother visits my space here, I would post my own experience and struggle - hoping that it would serve as hope.   I tried to keep it short, particularly since I honestly had no intentions of writing anything when I put these photos on the page.  But then I looked at them and thought that he looked like a well-behaved little boy, participating in his own little way during a Church service.  I thought that they looked like a mother's brag book, showing off to her family and friends how "good" her son is during the Liturgy.  That couldn't be further from the truth and ANYONE from my parish can tell you that these were just lucky snapshots of rare, quiet moments.  I really don't have a free or steady hand to reach into my bag and grab the camera as I am chasing him around the church trying to get him to focus on the altar, or shoving a pacifier in his mouth to stop the shout of "NOOOO" mid-scream !  Now THOSE would be some funny and realistic pictures !    Sometimes it is hard to balance what we share here in public view, but sometimes sharing does bring us together.   This truly is a part of my own journey.  

Christ is Risen ! Truly He is Risen !

We had a very beautiful day spent with our family and friends.  We attended the Anastasi (Resurrection) service last night, followed by the Divine Liturgy.  The beginning was rough for the kids, being we actually had to wake them up to leave. (the service starts at 11 p.m. and we didn't get home until 3:30 a.m.)   They were pretty tired (exhibit A:  Sophia holding her candle after receiving the Light)

I am so thankful that my koumbara was there with me to help because it was a long night for the kids.  (My sweet husband serves in the Altar so my hands are usually quite full)!  After the services, we shared some fellowship in the hall with the traditional margheritsa soup.  Toward the end of the night, the kids were actually looking a little more perky !  (or maybe they were just getting slap-happy) !  

Today, our family and friends came to join us for Easter dinner.  Since we were hosting, we didn't take many (any) pictures since we were pretty busy !  (well, I did get ONE picture of my sister stuffing her face with pastisio but I'm quite certain that she would not be very pleased if I posted it here) !  

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Pascha, Happy Easter and Blessed Resurrection !  

Holy Week

It's been so hard to post anything lately...actually I feel like it's been so hard to do ANYTHING lately ! :) Great Lent has gone by so quickly...and Holy Week feels like it just started.  We have spent our week attending the many services at our Church.  It has proved to be even more challenging this year, as a mother...as my little Demetri is not a big fan of sitting still (or quiet) for too long.  Services that are long and end late are quite interesting!  Tonight we await the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord !  We have spent the past several weeks spiritually preparing for this Blessed event and are filled with anticipation.  May all of you have a wonderful Resurrection.  Kali Anastasi !

Sophia helping price some books at the Church 

Me and my little man

The little lady at the end of services on Palm Sunday

Trying so hard to venerate the icon by himself

Sunday of Orthodoxy

Today, being the first Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate Sunday of Orthodoxy.  Sophia participated in the procession around the Church holding the icon of her patron saint, Saint Sophia.

Broken houses and Boo-boos

Jorge Silva / Reuters  Photo from MSNBC.com

So, my little girl has a cold.  This means that she starts the night laying in the middle of our bed, propped up on some pillows so that she can fall asleep.  Her sweet Baba lays with her until she fades off into sleep.  Usually, I would be in the living room anticipating Demetri's next wakeup - but I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I crawled into bed with them, but couldn't fall asleep.  She was laying on top of the covers, so I couldn't pull them up to my neck the way I like to.  They had the pillows in some mini-mountain position, so I couldn't fix them "just right" under my head.  I was hanging off the bed.  I had tons of complaints running through my very exhausted head.

What was I thinking?  I stopped to think of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

The suffering and pain being endured by the people in Haiti at this very moment was completely inconceivable to me.  During this, and any disaster of such magnitude...is it even POSSIBLE to imagine how those affected are feeling?  The pains of their everyday existence. Their struggle for some sort of normalcy.  I thanked God for my family, prayed that He would have mercy on those struggling there, and snuggled with my little angel to sleep.

When we woke up the next morning, I sat with Sophia at the computer.  I showed her some pictures of what was happening in Haiti (selective photos I should add).  But as simple as they were, I wanted her to see that in some way....somewhere far away, there were people like her and I that needed love.   I also want her to know the joy and Blessing of giving.  We decided that when we went shopping today we would get some supplies to send to them.  I can't say enough about the IOCC  (International Orthodox Christian Charities) and all that they do.  We decided to pack up some hygiene kits.  They have so many ways you can help - and I am thankful that they provide this information to those looking for a way to help.

I can honestly say that I often feel that what I am able to offer to those in such dire need is so meager, perhaps even insignificant.  There are millionaires, business, teams, etc...that give so much monetary assistance. But,  I didn't want to stand by and do "nothing". I didn't want to wait and rely on everyone else to help those poor families.  I didn't want my daughter to grow up not knowing what it is like to give back and to reach out to those truly in need.   We decided to do something as a family. Something that we could labor together and do for our fellow brothers and sisters.  A labor of love.

While we were shopping today, Sophia picked up something that she thought a little girl would like and said "Can we send this to the people with the broken houses and boo-boos?".

Lord, have mercy.

Merry Christmas! Christ is Born - Glorify Him!

Merry Christmas!  Christ is Born !  We have had a very enjoyable Feast day and some great quality time as a family!  After we returned from our spiritually renewing trip to Marietta, we had a few things to do to prepare for Nativity.  As the time drew near, we continued to read to Sophia about the Birth of Christ and have really tried to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas.

We had waited until the last minute to put up our tree.  We usually put it up much earlier, but the Little Man of the house can be quite inquisitive and we envisioned him not only taking off the ornaments but perhaps knocking down the whole tree.  Sophia helped us to decorate it and put up our stockings...and lo and behold, Demetri has not ruined ONE thing !  Thanks to my brother-in-law, we were even able to hang lights outside for the first time! We had never had an electrical outlet on the exterior of the house...until now!

We had a few days to prepare our ornaments for the Ornament Exchange that we signed up for over at Orthodox Mom (thank you so much to Sylvia for organizing it)!  I am not overly "crafty" or creative, but I did find a great idea HERE and we made some Apple Cinnamon scented ornaments.  Sophia really enjoyed the whole process.  She helped measure the ingredients, mixed them with her hands, helped to roll them out and cut the shapes. She especially enjoyed decorating them!  We used the star-shaped cookie cutter and once they were baked and dried, Sophia decorated them with glitter-glue and then pasted an icon onto each ornament.

Getting ready to roll out the dough for the first time!

The finished ornaments!  

She made homemade Christmas cards and signed her own name.  She was SO independent and excited when we started making the cards, but once we did the first 3 or 4, she said "This is hard work"!  We brought them to the post office together and off they went!  We sent out 7 ornaments - which meant she would be getting 7 packages in the mail herself!  She was so excited each day as a box arrived in mail for her.  They are all on the tree, but I will take a picture of the ornaments collectively and hopefully post them soon!  Many thanks for all the work that went into these precious ornaments!

Well, she enjoyed the whole process of making these ornaments so much that I decided I would let her make some Christmas sugar cookies.  Again, her favorite part was putting on the sprinkles!  (mine too, I did a few of my own)!

We attended services of the Blessed Nativity of our Lord and then enjoyed the fellowship of our Church family.

Demetri venerating the Icon of the Nativity, with the help of his Nouna

family snapshot after the Divine Liturgy

Christmas Morning we spent at home enjoying some family time, opened a few gifts and played with the kids.  We spent the rest of the day at my sister's house with our family for a wonderful day of laughs, fun, and a delicious festal dinner !

Christmas morning

Working on her new "cube" puzzle, while Demetri plots to steal a piece!

Loved the skates that Yiayia got for her, wore them all day!

(even while playing with Demetri's new BeBop Band)!

Definitely posting this without permission....but I love how silly we 

can be when we're together!

I hope and pray that everyone enjoyed their Christmas!  Christ is Born - Glorify Him !

A little road trip

We recently returned from a wonderful, spiritually renewing and fun trip to Marietta.  We were very blessed to have some dear friends of ours lend us their mini-van...which made the trip so much easier and more enjoyable!!  The kids were real troopers!  After going through the long drive, they came with us to Bible Study that night, an agrypnia (all-night vigil) the next night, Holy Unction the next, then Divine Liturgy and an evening prayer service that same night !  We had a wonderful and uplifting time, perfect for this time of year as we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord !

Catching a few zzzz's during Bible Study

our faithful teacher and Spiritual Father

With Olympia's help, she got to do her FIRST Gingerbread house too !!

On the Feast of St. Nicholas

We have been reading about St. Nicholas in some new books that we purchased for Sophia.  The Life of Saint Nicholas The Wonderworker (St. Nectarios Press) and Saint Nicholas - The Real Story of the Christmas Legend are 2 of our new book acquisitions.  The little lady has really been enjoying reading them at night at learning about this beloved Saint of our Church.  Thanks to Sylvia I have a list of a few additional books we'll be getting as well.  


Before going to bed last night, we had the children put out their shoes in anticipation of St. Nicholas bringing them some "goodies".  Although we never took part in this tradition as children, I really think it's a wonderful idea to do with our young ones and I am so glad that we have started to do it in our own little family.  Sophia was so excited when I reminded her this morning to go check her shoes.  They got some gold/chocolate coins, Orthodox icon flash cards (goarch.org), and a book as well.  I wasn't sure if she would actually connect the coins to the stories that we had been reading - but when she saw them she said "like the girls who wanted to get married"!  


Oh....and as you can see, she couldn't decide whether to leave her shoes or her boots - so she left both ! 

Sophia's stewardship in the kitchen

Sophia was very disappointed this past Sunday to hear that her Catechism class had been cancelled. She looks forward to Sunday School and just looked so "bummed out" when I told her that she would have to wait until next week.  Then my koumbara asked her if she wanted to help in the kitchen when the kollyva came over after the Memorial Service...her eyes just lit up.  "Help" and "kitchen" are two of her favorite words!  She mixed, stirred and even served it into a hundred dixie cups!  She felt so important  helping and really took it seriously....and didn't spill even one kernel of wheat!

St. Nektarios

Today we commemorate St. Nektarios in the Orthodox Church.  The children and I started our day by attending Divine Liturgy.  In the simplest of terms, I was able to share with Sophia the story of this beloved modern-day Saint.  She prayed with me and helped to light our "candili" this morning.  There are so many AWESOME books and resources about St. Nektarios...I am currently reading Saint Nektarios - The Saint of our Century, by Sotos Chondropoulos.  A wonderful book!

I will share with you the story of the end his life here on earth. The entire article can be found here.

One afternoon of September 20, 1920, a nun by the name of Euphemia brought a little rassa-clad old man, who was convulsed with pain, to the Aretaieion Hospital of Athens, a state hospital for the poor. The intern of the hospital asked the nun for information about the little old man to enter into the hospital register. "He is a monk?"
    "No. A bishop."
    The intern laughed sarcastically. "Leave off the joking, Mother. Tell me his name so I can put it in the register."
    "He is a bishop, my child. He is the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Pentapolis."
    "For the first time in my life I see a bishop," muttered the intern to himself, "without Panagia, gold cross, and -- most significant of all -- without money!" "Indeed he is a bishop," repeated the nun. "The Metropolitan of Pentapolis. This metropoly belongs to the Patriarchate of Alexandria. He is the Most Reverend Nectarios Kephalas. Some time ago he left Egypt and came here, close to you, as a matter of fact, because he directed Rizarios School. For some years now, however, he has lived as a monk in the convent of the Holy Trinity on Aegina. There he became gravely ill and in spite of his protests, we brought him here." She then showed the intern his credentials which proved him to be the Metropolitan.
    The intern of the hospital, amazed by everything he had heard and seen, shrugged his shoulders and told the nurses to place the sick man in a third-class room where there were several beds for the destitute. The doctors diagnosed that the sick little old man was suffering from severe systitis, a disease of the bladder. For two months the Hierarch Nectarios Kephalas lived in the midst of terrible pains, and at ten thirty in the evening of the eighth of November, 1920, in peace and at prayer he gave up his spirit unto God at the age of seventy-four.
    In the final days of his life, the Saint was kept in the ward of the incurable in the midst of many poor, sick people who were about to die. Next to his bed there was a man who had been paralyzed for many years. As soon as the Saint gave up his spirit, a nurse of the hospital and the nun who had accompanied him prepared his sacred tabernacle for the transfer to Aegina for burial. For this purpose they dressed the Saint in clean clothing. When they took off the Saint's sweater, they placed it on the bed of the paralytic to get it out of their way and continued preparing the Saint's body. And O, strange wonder!, the paralytic immediately began to gain strength and arose from his bed healthy, glorifying God.
    The day he reposed, the whole hospital was filled with such a fragrance that all the patients, nurses, and doctors would come out in the halls to ask where such a fragrance was coming from. For some days after, they could not use the room where they placed his relics because of the fragrance, even though they kept the windows opened, so strong was the fragrance. This room is now a chapel dedicated to the Saint.
    They took his relics to Piraeus and put them in the Church of the Holy Trinity while they prepared a small, wooden coffin. From there they took him to Aegina where they gave him a simple burial at the Convent of the Holy Trinity.
    Some years later, as is the custom in Greece, his grave was opened to take the relics out. When they opened the grave, what should they see but that the Saint was whole and fragrant. Not even his vestments had changed in any way. It was just as if he had fallen asleep and been buried that very day. They had not told the people of Aegina, because he had already worked many miracles and become very beloved, and a very large crowd would have gathered -- even from Athens and other places where he was known -- for the opening of his grave. So, early in the morning, as soon as they were finished with the Divine Liturgy, as it was dawning they went and began to open the grave. At the same time there was a taxi coming by on the road below the convent. Inside was a woman who had been to some resort place. She was not a woman of good repute, but of ill repute and many sins. As soon as they approached the Holy Trinity Convent, there was such a fragrance in the air that she told the driver, "Stop. What is that fragrance?" So he stopped and looked around. "Oh," he replied, "here is the convent of the Holy Nectarios. What else could such a fragrance be but that they are opening his grave today, and the fragrance is coming from the grave. For many times a fragrance came from his body before they buried him. And even from the grave it comes sometimes." Immediately she opened the door of the taxi and ran to go and see. She went up to the convent at the moment that they had opened the coffin and found the relics whole. She was very moved by this and by the fragrance, especially. She began to weep and publicly confess her sins. Thus she was corrected and became a prudent and Christian woman in her way of life. His body remained marvellously incorrupt for more than twenty years, continually distilling a delicate, heavenly scent.
   But whether for our sins or some other reasons, some years later the relics of the Saint dissolved, and what we have now are his holy bones. They encased his holy head in a bishop's mitre and opened the top so one can kiss the crown of his head. The other parts of his relics, which have much fragrance, they put in a silver box. This fragrance has continued ever since to rejoice the faithful who come to venerate his precious relics with the assurance that Saint Nectarios has been received by God into the abode of the righteous. His veneration was formally recognized in 1961. The list of his miracles grows longer every day, and his shrine in Aegina has become the most popular place of pilgrimage in Greece.

Most Holy St. Nektarios, pray to God for us! 

TV...or not TV....THAT is the question.

Even before we were married, my DH and I were never really "tv people".  We do have a television and basic cable.  He watches football, baseball, etc - whatever is in season...and occassionally we watch a "This Old House" episode or something of that nature.  So naturally, when my daughter was born, I made it my strict mantra "NO TV" for my child.  She will read, play, sing, run...but not watch that "junk".  My thought process on this was simple.  I didn't want  her being exposed to all the negative things that were shown on television - shows, commercials, inappropriate behavior, dress, language...you name it.  I certainly did not want to allow anything bad into her little mind.  And so it went...my tv-less child.  We would occassionally get a video from the library and we even have a few of our own which she really loves.   Every so often I allow her to watch a special show in the morning if I am really in a rush to get ready - Sid the Science Kid is her favorite.  She is quite proficient with the computer and we do allow her limited time to play on that.  She enjoys playing Sesame Street and the PBS website .  She can watch slideshows of our family photos.   That was the extent of her electronic entertainment.

Well, last week my little girl was sick (wasn't everyone?).  We put her on the couch so she could rest during the day, of course.  Coloring, puzzles and dollhouse only lasted so long.  So....enter PBS Kids.  Channel 3.  Sesame Street.  Curious George.  Word World.  I had to start watching some of these shows with her to get her through the day.  The shows were cute. The content was good.  There were learning segments, letters, numbers, life lessons...not too bad.  It was even nostalgic for me!   We got through those few days,  thank God. PBS shows in the morning and some videos that she had gotten for her birthday if necessary later on in the day.  It was a television frenzy!  She couldn't wait to watch the "next" show or movie.  Harmless?  Maybe.

It's been a week since she recovered.  The first few days were a shock to me. She would wake up in the morning and take her chocolate milk, head to the couch and say "what can I watch now?"  When I would tell her "nothing" and try to explain that we only watched a lot of shows because she was so sick, she told me her tummy hurt!  GASP!  That little picture box thing was so powerful (dare I say evil?) that my innocent little girl was going to pretend to be sick now ?!?

For the next few days I had to wake up and immediately DO something, get out of the house, have a plan....because if I didn't , she was asking me to watch something.  Amazing - she wanted to watch something more than she wanted to play with all of her birthday presents!   It was really quite a struggle for me the first few days.  I was actually feeling like a horrible mother for even letting her sit and watch it for so long to begin with.

So, why I am I thinking about all of this and why am I writing about it?   I know that some of my friends and family think I'm a little odd for not having her watch tv or not letting her get caught up in all the mainstream, character toys, etc.  I ALWAYS get comments like "What's wrong with Sesame Street"?  "Is it a sin to watch Clifford?"  Well, no...I actually LIKE Sesame Street and I think that there are a LOT of good things for kids to learn there.  I was brought up watching Sesame Street.  It's not ALWAYS the content of the shows that we have to be careful about...but it is the DEPENDENCY of watching them in general.  Isn't the same true for adults?  How many of us used to watch "the Soaps"?  Would you miss a day?  I know many who would video record them so as not to miss out on a single hour of these make-believe lives.  I can even see my little girls temparment change when she watches more than a short segment. She gets whiny, cranky, lazy, doesn't want to play with anything else...I call it "brain-mush".  It can become a habit so fast...and THAT (in my humble opinion) is something that we need to be mindful of for our children, just the same as WHAT they watch.  As an Orthodox Christian mother, I want to be sure that she isn't exposed to anything that is inappropriate and not pleasing to God....for the eyes are the window to the soul.    Even if we were to put aside the fact that we shouldn't allow them to fill their mind with garbage and noise...we  must remember that we could be letting them set up habits that could last a lifetime.   There are so many children today that don't know what to DO if they aren't in front of a television, listening to their iPods, playing a video game.  We, as parents, are responsible for paving the way for them.  If it was this APPARENT after just a week with my little girl, just think of how much of an impact it has on children after a year, two years, etc!

Every year there are more and more gadgets.  Every year it seems like younger and younger children are "needing" these gadgets.  I know 8 year olds who have cell phones, 5 year olds who can't go anywhere without a portable gameboy, 6 year olds who watch a movie every single time they get into mom's minivan!  It's crazy!

"We will put the devil in our houses inside a box and his horns will be on the roof."  St. Kosmas