I’ve always LOVED the book of Acts; seeing the way the gospel spread after Jesus’s resurrection. I’ve been sharing a bit about the history of the Christian church on Instagram and I thought, ‘why not read it together, directly from the source?’

If you’re not familiar, the book of Acts is the first book after the gospels in the New Testament, and it’s a continuation of Luke’s gospel (it’s sometimes called Luke-Acts). It’s a narrative of “The Act of the Apostles”. In it you will find the spiritual and theological record of how the Church developed and it offers a greater understanding of the organization and structure of the church; the method of resolving controversies, the role of apostles, bishops/priests/deacons, and the spiritual life of the church. Pretty neat right? Not to mention some pretty spectacular miracles and acts of faith!

Beginning May 6th and ending June 3rd, we will read one chapter of the book of Acts per day. Since there are 28 chapters in Acts, this is a 28 day challenge, and will take us all the way until just before Pentecost 🕊🌿

What do you say? Are you in? Do you want to join me? We created a separate account on instagram (@ActstoPentecost) and hashtag #ActstoPentecost for our little group so we can share insight, thoughts and questions for each chapter. I will be including summaries for each chapter, reminders and encouragement there so be sure to follow along if you’re interested!

I’m so excited that so many of you will be joining me on the Bible Reading Challenge to read Acts over I love engaging with the text along side you! I love the Scriptures and reading further ignites the love I feel! I hope you join us!

+Destinie

September 10, 2026

3 Easy Apple Recipes for St Euphrosynos

One of the sweetest ways to help children connect with the lives of the saints is through food, especially when the recipe itself has a connection to the saint’s story. Saint Euphrosynos the Cook was a humble monastic who was granted the ability to dwell in Paradise, where he gave away apples from the garden. These simple “Three Baked Apples from Paradise” are a fun way to bring that story to life for your family as you celebrate the feast day of St. Euphrosynos.

The recipe is intentionally simple enough for children to help make, and with just three apples, it’s perfect for a small family—but it can easily be adjusted to make more servings for a larger family, homeschool group, or parish gathering. As you prepare and enjoy these baked apples together, you can remind your children of St. Euphrosynos, his humility, and the beautiful glimpse of Paradise God allowed him to experience.

St Euphrosynos Apple Craft (Free Download)

In this blog post, I’m sharing a simple and fun St. Euphrosynos apple craft, including a free printable apple craft that can be used for an individual craft or as a group activity. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful Orthodox Christian craft for St. Euphrosynos, a way to teach your children about his life and feast day, or a simple activity to incorporate into your family’s Orthodox traditions, I hope this craft helps your family grow in faith and cultivate a deeper love for the saints within the life of the Orthodox Church.

September 5, 2026

Queen of Heaven Cupcakes Recipe

For the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, make Queen of Heaven cupcakes! A fun way to help children remember this feast is by celebrating the Theotokos' “birthday” with cupcakes! Adorned with blue frosting, the liturgical color for her feast, and add some star sprinkles or cupcake toppers. It is said that her womb was more "spacious than the heavens."

August 31, 2026

Celebrating St Euphrosynos’ Feast Day

In this blogpost, I’m sharing simple and fun ideas to help your family celebrate Saint Euphrosynos together, including Orthodox recipes, family activities, children’s crafts, hymns and songs, saint-inspired videos, and faith-filled traditions that can deepen your children’s love for this holy saint. Whether you are looking for ways to celebrate his feast day, teach children about Euphrosynos, or create meaningful Orthodox Christian family traditions, I hope these ideas encourage your family to grow in faith, strengthen your devotion to God, and cultivate a deeper love for the saints within the life of the Orthodox Church.

August 29, 2026

Orthodox Feast Days in September

September feast day guide with simple explanations, family-friendly ideas, special traditions, and links to helpful Orthodox Christian resources.

August 28, 2026

Ecclesiastical New Year Traditions

The first day of the Church New Year in the Orthodox Church is September 1st. According to Holy Tradition, Christ entered the synagogue on September 1 to announce His mission to mankind (Luke 4:16-22). In this guide, I will share a little more about the significance of this day, some activities, reading suggestions, and other ways to engage with your family or community.

August 25, 2026

St. Phanourios and the Lost Wallet: A Miraculous Search with an Unexpected Twist

A moving true story about St. Phanourios’s unexpected help in finding a lost wallet and the faith, prayer, and heavenly text message that followed.

August 24, 2026

Phanouropita Recipe

Phanouropita (or fanouropita) is a traditional Orthodox cake with a beautiful story behind it. Orthodox Christians often pray to St. Phanourios, the patron saint of lost things, when we’ve misplaced something. We ask for his intercession, and when the lost item is found, it is customary to bake phanouropita, bring it to church to be blessed by the priest, and then share it with the parish community.

August 21, 2026

Hospitality Tips as a Busy Orthodox Family

Discover simple, meaningful ways to practice Orthodox Christian hospitality as a busy family. Learn how to welcome guests with children in the home, embrace simple meals, involve your kids, and create a peaceful atmosphere without striving for a perfect house. Inspired by the humble hospitality of Orthodox monastics, these practical tips will help busy Orthodox families make hospitality a regular part of family life and a beautiful way to serve Christ.

Bible Reading Challenge

Follow along on Instagram:

Check out my latest blogposts: