September 1 – Church New Year! 5 – Holy Prophet Zachary and Elizabeth 8 – Nativity of the Theotokos 9 – Holy and Righteous Forebearers Anna and Joachim 14 – Exaltation of the Cross 17 – Holy Sophia and her daughters 26 – Repose of St. John the Theologian 28 – Venerable Father and Confessor Karita September in The Byzantine Life Church New Year September is the beginning of a new church year. And, here in Canada, a new school year as well. Little Fox will officially be a first grade student (though doing third grade math and grammar, if you’ve looked at our curriculum choices). It is also a lon ..read more

What We’re Using for Homeschooling This Year… English Language Arts Literature: Ancient History – 2 Days a Week Two days a week Little Fox’s required reading time will include 15 minutes of reading a book from the following list, and then giving a narration of what happened in they story, which will be recorded in our English binder for the year. Other required reading will be done the other days of week. Also, 45 minutes to an hour of free reading time will be built in to every day in addition to the 15 minutes from required texts. If you’re interested in more about our reading lists, check o ..read more

Making A Reading List I love making a reading list – whether it is for my kids, or for me. Part of the enjoyment might be knowing that the reading list will also become a shopping list. (And that being because of the decline in the accessibility of the modern library). But also, as a choleric, I like lists that I can check off. Finishing a series of books is enjoyable for the sake of reading, and for the sake of the accomplishment. When making a reading list for homeschool, there are a couple things to consider. Purpose of the Reading history education other topical learning exploring langua ..read more

A Quick Recap of the Ascension The Ascension occurs on the 40th day of Easter, and refers to Jesus’ ascent into Heaven. This feast day marks the completion of our salvation by Christ. He rose into Heaven so that we may join him there. In the Byzantine Churches, it is a Holy day of Obligation. And is one of the 12 Great Feasts of the church year. The Ascension was also the last time the Theotokos and the disciples saw Jesus on Earth. It happened at the Mount of Olives, which is also where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and foretold of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus made three promises that we ..read more

August 1 – (Dormition Fast Begins) 6 – Transfiguration 9 – Holy Apostle Matthias 15 – Dormition Feast (and Icon) and also Flowers of Dormition 16 – Image not Made by Hands 29 – Beheading of John the Baptist August in The Byzantine Life I am spending this month working on a major project… building a home organization course! I am not making the videos this month. But I am organizing all my notes and plans for the course so that it is ready to film and go! Other major news is that I have spent this summer preparing to take my class 5 road test. It will be a great help to our family if I can star ..read more

On August 6th we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, which is when Jesus revealed his glory to three of the disciples (Peter, James, and John) on top of Mount Tabor. This occasion is particularly special as it is one Jesus works upon himself. We find many accounts of this event recorded in scripture (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:1-7, Luke 9:28-36, and 2 Peter 1:16-18). Although not directly recorded in John’s gospel, the Transfiguration permeates it’s writing such that his gospel is called the Gospel of the Transfiguration. John 1:14 is an example of this Transfiguration-infused text. And t ..read more

May 1 – Prophet Jeremiah 3 – Repose of Theodosius 5 – Holy and Glorious Martyr Irene 6 – Holy and Just Long Suffering Job 8 – John the Theologian 9 – Transfer of the Relics of St. Nicholas 10 – Simon the Zealot 11 – Cyril and Methodius 12 – Venerable Epiphanius (18) – Ascension Day 19 – Protomartyr Patrick 21 – Constantine and Helen 25 – Third Finding of John the Baptist’s Head (Separate from the other two times)! (28) – Pentecost Sunday May in The Byzantine Life Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost Make the most of the Easter Season, as its coming to a close this month with the feast of the A ..read more

July (1) – Our Lady of Perpetual Help 2 – The Precious Robe of Our Lady 3 – Holy Martyr Hyacynth 5 – Father Athanasius of Athos 10 – Anthony of Caves of Kiev 11 – Princess Olga of Kiev 15 – Grand Prince Valadymyr Basil 20 – Prophet Elijah 24 – Holy martyrs Boris and Hlib (Roman and David at Baptism) 25 – Dormition of St. Anna 27 – Holy Great Martyr and Healer Pantelemon July in The Byzantine Life There are a lot of great feasts to celebrate in July! Our Lady of Perpetual Help, The Robe of Our Lady, Prophet Elijah, and the Dormition of St. Anna will definitely be highlights. The summer is going ..read more

With my first two children, naps happened without much extra thought. Usually the girls nursed to sleep, until they got older and started falling asleep on their own. Then Little Owl came into our lives. And he fought naps like they were demons coming to get him! So it was time for me to put a little more consideration into how babies nap. And this is what I learned. The Importance of Being Napped Before going on this journey to figure out how to help my baby nap, I knew the importance of naps. In fact, that is why I waited till Little Fox was five and a half before dropping her nap. Naps incr ..read more

June 1 – Christ’s Entry into Egypt 5 – BEGIN APOSTLES FAST 9 – Archbishop Cyril of Alexandria 11 – Bartholomew and Barnabus 14 – Prophet Elisha 15 – Prophet Amos 19 – Apostle Jude, cousin of Christ 24 – Nativity of John the Baptist 28 – Christ Lover of Mankind 29 – Sts. Peter and Paul 30 – Synaxis of the 12 Apostles June in The Byzantine Life A major theme for the month of June is the twelve apostles. So, in our home, we will focus on the twelve apostles for catechesis. For children, ByziMom has two magazines free online for these subjects. June 2021 – Apostles, and June 2019 – Sts. Peter and ..read more