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Discernment in Music

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Discernment in Music

Everyone has standards and beliefs.  These influence their judgment on what they will accept from the culture.  An example is the music one decides to listen to.  In seventh grade, the popular music culture began to peak my interest, and I was captivated by the various tunes.  Though I was skeptical of some lyrics, I unfortunately placed my concerns aside to enjoy the catchy tunes.  I came to realize the themes in many popular songs contradict the Christian ideal.  I learned I must use discernment in choosing the music I listen to.

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Motherhood is not a Job

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Motherhood is not a Job

Lately, I’ve noticed a trend that I find a little troubling–what I can really only call “the commodification of parenthood.” As far as I can tell, this trend started with very good intentions, springing from the idea that stay-at-home moms in particular are undervalued, as evidenced when comparing their workload to a full-time job. Over the past year or so, however, I think this discourse has gotten out of hand. I can’t count the number of posts that are recommended to me across social media channels that feature comments about dads “solo parenting” while mom is running errands, moms calling themselves “HR manager,” or parents “clocking in for the closing shift” before putting kids to bed.

The Holy Silence of a Monastery

The Holy Silence of a Monastery

“‘We have one sword–the Jesus Prayer.’ (St. Barsanuphius of Optina) Spending a month at one of Elder Ephraim’s women’s monastery, I saw St. Barsanuphius’ quote taken quite seriously. In the busy bakery, amidst the whirring of baking and cooking machinery; in the cafe, serving curious tourists and eager customers; walking up to their cells on a sunny afternoon: these valiant warriors of Christ always were wielding this sword…”

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Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day

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Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day

Tomorrow, October 15th, is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. As Orthodox Christians, we honor the sanctity of the unborn and remember the words of our Lord: “let the little Children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:4). This belief makes the observance of this day–a secular one–all the more important. 

Listening Well

Listening Well

I used to feel insecure about my quiet nature. I would watch others lead, speak, shine—commanding rooms with their charisma, weaving words into influence—and I would wonder if my presence was enough. I would sit in conversations, not always knowing what to say, but deeply feeling the weight of someone else’s words. And I would ask myself: is this a gift, or just passivity dressed up as virtue? Is my silence meaningful, or merely a void?

4 Reasons YOU Should Attend the NEW ENGLAND Conference

4 Reasons YOU Should Attend the NEW ENGLAND Conference

“Oh, I guess that won’t matter, since you’ll be at the Saint Emmelia conference,” I said, looking at the little square on my screen that housed Fr. Noah’s face. We were heading towards hour two of a ministry meeting for our parish, working out logistics for an upcoming project.

“Well…we might be having the conference here…” Fr. Noah replied, his voice as calm as ever. I laughed, not realizing that he was serious and that hours later, I’d be frantically sending emails to our parishioners, looking for accommodations for 30 Saint Emmelia families. 

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Consistency

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Consistency

During my freshman year of high school, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that turned my whole world upside down. I got diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which can affect my ability to walk, see, balance, and feel things through my body due to nerve damage. During this season of my life, I was in and out of the hospital for months on end, I struggled with my home prayer-life, I felt isolated and alone, and it seemed that I had truly hit rock-bottom. I am very much a rhythmic/routine kind of person, and this entire situation threw my life completely off balance. I had no routine, no rhythm, what felt like no community, and no end in sight. The only thing that was semi-consistent in my life was church. While I did feel isolated and shut out at times, my family made a point to take me to Liturgy every Sunday during this struggle, even when I was in a wheelchair. Yes, it was a struggle; yes, I felt invisible; but that consistency was all I had. 

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Starting the School Year With Your Right Foot Forward

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Starting the School Year With Your Right Foot Forward

Ah yes, fall. Us students’ favorite time of year. Right around August/September, we are all starting up school again (or maybe you’re taking a gap year, or you’ve graduated. If so, congrats!). If you’ve had a busy summer like me, then you might feel as if the months flew by way too quickly, and school can’t possibly be starting again so soon. Yet here we are, about to jump into a world of books, lectures, homework, and more! It can seem pretty daunting, I know. However, with the right mindset and God’s Grace, it can be accomplished fairly easily! 

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Stillness, Part II

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Stillness, Part II

It seems a bit silly for me, of all people, to be writing this blog post. After all, I am not, by nature, a particularly “still” person. I struggle with fairly severe anxiety, and my mind tends to wander towards current or potential projects whenever I’m faced with a task that seems mundane. On the other hand, that means that I have had to think a lot about ways to achieve even the tiniest bit of stillness.

Stillness

Stillness

The world we live in is loud. Nearly everywhere we go, there’s motion and sound– conversations rise and fall, and the chatter of plans and problems and priorities is ever going. While none of this is inherently wrong, I’ve come to notice how easily all this noise piles up in my heart. After a while, it starts to feel like clutter. And in the middle of it all, I find myself longing—not just for rest, but for something deeper. I long for stillness. Not just the absence of sound, but the kind of stillness that lets the soul breathe. That sacred quiet that lets me see clearly again and remember what matters most. The Church has a word for this: hesychia—holy silence. A silence not of emptiness, but of fullness. A silence in which we can finally hear God.

New Resource: Activities for the Liturgical Cycle

New Resource: Activities for the Liturgical Cycle

Ah, curriculum. How on earth do we fit in all the sundry bits of knowledge that we want our children to learn? History, math, geography, biology…and most important of all, our faith! It can feel like there simply aren’t enough minutes in the day to fit in all the information that we need to transmit.

Building Your Resume as a Homeschooler

Building Your Resume as a Homeschooler

When I first started homeschooling, I was frustrated that I didn’t have access to as many service and leadership opportunities as public-schoolers. I felt that my resume was lacking compared to theirs; the clubs, service opportunities, and honor societies which public schools offered seemed to be impossible to be part of as a homeschooler. However, I have come to find that within my church, diocese, and community, there are a myriad of truly rewarding opportunities in which to serve and lead. My resume is now jam-packed with lists of activities and initiatives I have undertaken. If you’re struggling to build up your resume, I hope these ideas will help you:

Being Christian in Difficult Environments

Being Christian in Difficult Environments

In elementary and middle school I attended private Catholic and public school. I was the only practicing Orthodox Christian besides my brother at both schools. At times, it was quite difficult being the only one who wasn’t either a Catholic, Protestant, or atheist. There were many times that I was asked to explain things, such as icons and certain Saints, to a crowd who wasn’t interested in learning.

Staying Motivated Mid-Year

Staying Motivated Mid-Year

At any stage of life–high school, college–finishing the school year can feel overwhelming with the demands of education, family, friends, social life, and our faith. Balancing these aspects can be challenging, but with thoughtful strategies, you can manage your time effectively and stay motivated. Here are some tips on time management, balancing responsibilities, staying motivated, and the importance of exercise and the outdoors! I believe that with balance we can bring ourselves more peace in life. 

Reflecting on a Fruitful Summer

Reflecting on a Fruitful Summer

When people would ask me the classic question, “How was your summer?” I found it an understatement to merely reply, “good.” This past summer, I jumped on nearly every opportunity available to me—all which enriched my spiritual, social, and family life in a unique way. I want to share some of my fruitful experiences with you to give ideas for your upcoming summer. When considering summer plans, trying to find a balance between service, family time, fun, and spiritual growth can be very difficult. Hopefully my experiences will give you some ideas for your summer itinerary!

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Beating the Winter Blues

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Beating the Winter Blues

It is a truth (nearly) universally acknowledged that homeschoolers stuck in the deep midwinter must be in want of an outlet for their energy. Add on the swift approach of Lent, and accomplishing anything–let alone productive schoolwork–seems like a far-off dream! Here are some ideas for EASY activities that might help make your lessons more joyful as you get through the winter slump.

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Hiding in the Library: 2024 in Books

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Hiding in the Library: 2024 in Books

Each year, I like to share a “wrap-up” of the best books I’ve read throughout the year. This year, I’m pleased to join my recommendations to those of our wonderful team of interns. We hope that if you pick up any of these books, you’ll not only enjoy them but you’ll get something meaningful from them as well! 

Focusing on Fasting

Focusing on Fasting

In the quiet moments of our busy lives, fasting invites us into a deeper communion with God. As Orthodox Christians, the sacred tradition of fasting is a journey of the soul, a practice that transforms daily routines into opportunities for spiritual growth. Through the act of fasting, we learn to find beauty in simplicity, strength in discipline, and a profound connection with our faith. Join our interns as we share some of our favorite fasting recipes, from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks!

Is English Doomed?

Is English Doomed?

I spent five weeks in Romania this past summer, visiting family members whom I had not seen for years. Naturally, everyone asked me what I planned to study after high school, to which I would reply, “English and the Classics.” Judging by their knitted brows and expressions of pity, I guessed that they were less than satisfied with my answer. Desperately trying to find a hope for my future, they would question, “You’re not interested in math?” I would laugh and brush it off, but I truly began to pity those deprived of the love of classical literature.