Ascetic life of motherhood

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August Liturgical Overview

Destinie Winn

August is a unique month! The Church is bringing our focus back, once again, after a busy summer of feasting and celebrating. We begin with the Dormition Fast on August 1st, the final fasting season in the year. We also will celebrate 2 Great Feasts this month: Dormition & Transfiguration - two of the 12 Great Feasts of the year! As we turn our focus to the end of the Liturgical calendar, we begin to prepare our hearts for the new Liturgical year which begins September 1st.

For our family, school is around the corner, and I am beginning to crave more structure and routine after a fun and free summer together. The birth of a new child brings new beginnings and opportunities to slow down, following the guidance of the Church. There are many opportunities to lean into the Liturgical year this month, and many more opportunities to bring Christ into our homes. I’m glad you are here! If you’re reading this, you likely desire to bring Christ into your home as well. God bless your efforts and good strength as we strive for the Kingdom together!

Scroll down to see resources for the month in August!

Or check out these individual Blogposts for August:

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Dormition Fast

August 1st through 14th

We begin August with the final fasting season in the Liturgical year, Dormition Fast. But why do we fast? We fast, not to get what we want, but to prepare ourselves to receive what God wants to give us. Fasting is intended to bring us to the realization of “the one thing needful.” It is to help us put God first and our own desires second, if not last. It also serves to prepare us to be instruments of God’s will, as with Moses in his flight from Egypt and on Mt. Sinai, as well as our Lord’s fast in the wilderness. Fasting turns us away from ourselves and toward God. It helps us become more like the Theotokos, an obedient servant of God, who heard His word and kept it better than anyone else has or could.

Check out these relevant resources:

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What is the Dormition?

It is Death or Falling-asleep of Mary, and translation into life which is celebrated on August 15th


So why do we fast before Dormition?
I love this analogy: In a close-knit family, word that its matriarch is on her deathbed brings normal life to a halt. Otherwise important things (parties, TV, luxuries, personal desires) become unimportant; life comes to revolve around the dying matriarch. It is the same with the Orthodox family; word that our matriarch is on her deathbed, should have a similar affect on us.

The Church, through the Paraklesis Service, gives us the opportunity to come to that deathbed and focus on the woman who bore God, the vessel of our salvation. She is our advocate in heaven, and one we can ask for to intercede for us.
Source: Antiochian Archdiocese

Check out these edible flower shortbread cookie recipe for the Feast of Dormition

Fasting Resources:

Here are a number of resources collected by Parousia Press to assist your family during the Dormition Fast:

Scroll down to Dormition of the Theotokos Activities/Book Recommendations

Transfiguration

Celebrated August 6

Transfiguration is one of the 12 Great Feasts in the Orthodox Church. Transfiguration is the story in Luke 9 & Matthew 19, when Jesus took Peter, John, and James and up on a mountain to pray, and as He prayed, He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Two men appeared and talked with Him: Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory and spoke of His death which He was about to occur. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then, as they were leaving from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. They told no one any of the things they had seen.

In the hymn sung during the service, the church offers a beautiful explanation: “Thou was transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they were capable, that when they should see Thee crucified, they might know that Thy suffering was voluntary and might proclaim to the world that Thou art indeed the reflection of the Father.” + Kontakion for Transfiguration

Activity Suggestions for the Transfiguration:

Shadow Play

  • Bring Grapes or Fruit to be Blessed! On this feast day, in many churches, the faithful will bring grapes or other fruit to be blessed. It’s a beautiful reminder of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ where all of creation will be transformed by the glory of the Lord 🍇

    • Take a trip to the market to purchase grapes (and even other fruits) to be blessed after Liturgy. Purchase as many different varieties of grapes as you can (i.e. Green, Red, Champagne, and Midnight Beauty - all seedless) and have the children wash them and arrange them in a basket. If you have enough baskets for each child, allow them to bring their own basket of grapes to church. (Idea from Charming the Birds from the Trees)

  • Create a shadow box - the story of the Transfiguration brings our attention to the light of Christ. Matthew 17 says “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Playing with shadows/light is a great tool to talk about the distinctions between light and darkness and the light of Christ! Using a shoe box or other small cardboard box, cut out a hole and practice playing with shadows of the wall using different figures. You can see an example of Shadow Play HERE.

  • Listen to a Kids song about Transfiguration by Gigi Baba Shadid “Transfiguration” FREE on YouTube

  • Color an Icon of the Transfiguration from Sparks 4 Orthodox Kids or from Orthodox Sunday School HERE

  • Serve a charcuterie board - Feature the grapes and other fruits that were blessed at Liturgy! Have your kids help create the charcuterie board with lots of veggies, crackers, nuts, dried fruits and hummus! Perfect post-Liturgy meal! Check out this vegan charcuterie board from Vegetarian Mama blog. You can thank Mariam of Draw Near Designs for this genius idea!

Book Recommendations for the Transfiguration:

  • Climbing Your Mount Tabor Study Journal: Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ by Family Chotki - This Study Journal is a 52-page exploration on the theme of Climbing Your Mt. Tabor through the lens of the Transfiguration feast day. The guide uses vibrant and colorful illustrations to help teach the content in a visual way. At the end of the Study Journal, there is a list of suggested activities to further your learning.

  • The Children's Bible Reader Pages 218 - 219 “God shows Who Jesus Is” (I couldn’t find this in stock anywhere, but I know many families own this book, so perhaps you have it on hand too!)

  • The Transfiguration of Our Lord - One book in the 12 Great Feasts Series from Orthodox Christian Children

Dormition of the Theotokos

Celebrated August 15

Dormition of the Theotokos - The circumstances of the Dormition of the Mother of God were known in the Orthodox Church from apostolic times. Already in the first century, the Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite wrote about Her “Falling-Asleep.” Although there is no account of the circumstances of Her death in Holy Scripture, we know about them from the most ancient and credible Tradition. This tradition was gathered and expounded in the Church History during the fourteenth century. At the time of Her blessed Falling Asleep, the Most Holy Virgin Mary was again at Jerusalem. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her and announced Her approaching departure from this life to eternal life. With these heavenly tidings the Mother of God returned to Bethlehem and summoned Righteous Joseph of Arimathea and other disciples of the Lord, and told them of Her impending Repose. Just before her death, the Apostles were miraculously transported to her deathbed, an answer to her prayer. Seeing Her Son, the Mother of God exclaimed: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God My Savior, for He hath regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden” (Luke 1:46-48) and, rising from Her bed to meet the Lord, She bowed down to Him, and the Lord bid Her enter into Life Eternal. Without any bodily suffering, as though in a happy sleep, the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave Her soul into the hands of Her Son and God. On this day we commemorates the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ’s mother.

Activity Suggestions for Dormition of the Theotokos

Herb Butter by @Shefollowsflowers

  • Bring Herbs or Flowers to be Blessed: On the Feast of the Dormition, it was long the custom to bring baskets of flowers and herbs to church to be blessed. Their fragrance reminds us of the scent of holiness, which filled the empty tomb of the Theotokos.

  • Make Herb Butter - At the conclusion of the fast, we feast, which means we re-introduce butter, meats and dairy products! Since Dormition is associated with the blessing of herbs, you can make yourself some yummy (and beautiful) herb butter. Recipe by @Shefollowsflowers:

    • Here is what you will need:

      1 stick of butter, softened to room temperature
      1 clove of garlic
      1/4 t of salt

      Finely chopped herbs and flowers (rosemary, parsley, thyme, violas, roses, anything goes!

      Mix the butter and herbs well. Place on a sheet of parchment paper or cling wrap in a log shape and roll up. Chill overnight and enjoy!

  • Make Edible Flower Cookies - Along the same lines as the herb butter, making shortbread cookies with edible flowers can be a fun and beautiful way to honor the mother of God, and easily shared with others! Check out this recipe on how to make them!

  • Plant a Garden of flowers named after the Theotokos: in this link you can find a list of common flowers associated with Marian themes HERE, but any flowers of your choosing would be lovely as well.

  • Wear Blue to Liturgy - The Theotokos is often associated with the Liturgical color blue since ‘her womb was more spacious than the heavens!” Blue…heavens/sky…!

  • Color an Icon of the Dormition from Sparks 4 Orthodox Kids

  • Buy or Pick Flowers to bring with you to Liturgy to leave before the icon of the Theotokos

Book Recommendations:

St Phanourios

Celebrated August 27th

St Phanourios - In 1500 AD, in Rhodes, Greece, an icon of St Phanourios was uncovered in the ruins of an ancient church. All of the icons were in a state of decay or near ruin with the exception of one, which appeared as new and as fresh as though it had been painted the day before. It was the icon of St Phanourios. At the time, he was an unknown saint, but examining the icon further, it was inscribed with the name “Phanourios” in what appeared to be fresh lettering. Drawn around the saint were twelve additional icons showing how he endured such cruel tortures, ultimately ending in his martyrdom.


There was no literature available in the church prior to discovering his little church in Rhodes so not much is known about St. Phanourios' life other than the images of his martyrdom on his icon. St Phanourios, lost for centuries in the ruins of a church, became the patron saint of things lost. St. Phanourios has become well-known for assisting the faithful in revealing lost or hidden spiritual matters of the heart, objects, directing or revealing actions that should be taken, restoring health and similar situations. He is then honored by the faithful through a symbolic cake, called the "Phanouropita" which should be shared with others.

The Tradition of the Phanouropita (Fanouropita) - The tradition of the Phanouropita (St Phanourios cake) is a Greek and Cypriot tradition, but has been adopted in many regions throughout the Orthodox world. Phanouropita is simple, vegan cake with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and orange juice. It is typically made using either 7 or 9 ingredients (holy numbers in the Church). The faithful make this cake whenever the saint helps reveals a lost object, or anything else the person has sought to find, is found. It is also a tradition for each person to say a prayer for St. Phanourios’ mother when eating their slice of the cake. The cakes (pita) can also be brought to church to be blessed and shared with others. Another appropriate opportunity to make this cake is on his Feast Day August 27th. You can find the recipe below.

Mini Phanouropita Bundt Cakes by Ascetic Life of Motherhood

Activity Suggestions:

  • Make Phanouropita (Fanouropita) - It means Phanourios cake or bread. I can’t think of a more fitting activity for the feast of St Phanourios! The faithful generally make this cake whenever the saint helps reveals a lost object, or anything else the person has sought to find, is found. You can also make it on his feast day! You can find a traditional fanouropita cake recipe by Orthodox Mom here or check out these mini phanouropita bundt cakes, perfect size and easily sharable! If you’ve never made phanouropita, it’s a very simple, vegan, citrusy batter, topped with powdered sugar. Just be sure to share it with others, and say a prayer to St Phanourios. * We ordered our mini bundt cake pan from Amazon which you can see here

  • Play “Hide and Seek” Games - A fun way to remember St Phanourios is to play some games like “Hide and Seek” or “Sardines” or have a scavenger hunt! You can also play a version of hide and seek where you hide items around the room ahead of time for the children must find them! There are so many fun ways to engage in these games. Be sure to read the story of St Phanourios who is the patron saint of lost things!

  • Print this icon and Hide St. Phanourios - An easy way to remember the story of the miraculous discovery of the icon of St Phanourios would be to hide the icon somewhere and send your kids to find it! Or pint it and add it to your prayer corner along with the prayer so you can sing it together during family prayers.

Book Recommendations:

  • Saint Phanourios by Potamitis Press

  • Draw Near Designs is selling a collection of 4 Paterikon books for this month, including St Phanourios, for your family to enjoy as you journey through the month and celebrate the feast days of these various saints! Easy peasy planning + fast shipping! This 4 book set costs $16, which is a STEAL! Click HERE to purchase your own set!

  • Orthodox Search and Find Book by by Orthodox Design Co. - Although not specifically about St Phanourios, this can be a great activity for the his feast day! Like the beloved “I-Spy” series, but with an Orthodox twist! Not specifically for St Phanourios but a perfect pairing for his feast day if you have a copy! These rhyming riddles will be enjoyed by young and old, and the pictures contain things recognized by any Orthodox person.

Beheading of St John the Baptist

Celebrated August 29th

The gospel account tells us that Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared st John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6:17-29)

Activity Suggestions:

Special Feast Day Tradition:

Prepare a Lenten Meal without using a knife, avoIding eating round foods and avoid eating on a plate

  • The beheading of St John the Baptist feast day is a strict fasting day. His feast day is always observed with strict fasting, and in addition, many pious Orthodox Christians will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat round food on this day. Why? It’s to help us remember the story of St John’s beheading, as his head was served on a platter and given to Herodias’ daughter, according to the Scriptures. By avoiding a knife, plate, and round things, we are avoiding serving anything that resembles a head on a platter. The challenge itself reminds us of the story, and since it’s a solemn feast, we fast on this day.

    Involve your kids and see if they can help you come up with some ideas! Here’s a few food suggestions you shared with me through instagram:
    🥣 Serve food in a bowl
    🍝 Pasta or noodles
    🍤 Shrimp
    🍚 Rice and beans and salad
    🍜 Soup with frozen chopped veggies
    🍃 Curry and lentils

  • Make Locust and Honey Crescent Rolls - We know from the Bible that St. John lived in the wilderness, preaching repentance, preparing the people’s hearts to receive Him and paving the way for our Lord’s ministry. Did you know what he ate while in the wilderness…. ? Locust and honey! These deserts are very simple to make and kids will enjoy participating! You can find the blogpost with the recipe HERE.

  • Music :

    • “Guess Who?” (St John the Baptist) By Gigi Baba - Check out this FREE song on Youtube. This song is a fun way for kids to learn more about St John the Baptist. It tells his story from his mission (preach repentance) to his martyrdom. We love Gigi Baba Shadid! She is an Orthodox Priest wife and she creates very catchy music for kids to help them learn about our faith. You can find all of her CDs available for purchase HERE would be a good one to start with. You can also find this song on Spotify.

    • Print the words for Guess Who? Right HERE! Having the words is great for readers to be able to sing along more easily. Special thanks to Gigi for sharing this with us!

Book Recommendations

  • For Biblical Stories, we love to read them out of the Scriptures: Mathew 14 or Mark 6

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