Family & Parenting Articles - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Mothballs and Memories

Adults

January 8, 2024

What does the phrase “eternal memory” mean really, for us mere mortals? This question begs at me much now that I am in my sixth decade of life and have witnessed so many lovely souls pass on to the next life. My sweet grandmother passed away on Theophany 5 years ago. She is in my thoughts at times, but I must admit not at all times - thus her memory is certainly not eternally in my small mind. There are moments when my heart throbs with ache for her embrace. There are also many moments when I mostly, admittedly, forget about her.
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SUTS Walking with God: Week Two

Families

May 13, 2023

This week on Soak Up the Son we learn about how the Lord is our shepherd and the significance of the rod and staff! Join us as we walk with God!
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SUTS Walking with God: Week Three

Adults

May 12, 2023

What does a joyful shout sound like to you? Is it a whoop! or a yay! or a loud laugh? This week on Soak Up the Son we talk about Psalm 88 and how we are called to walk in the light of the Lord's face with joyful noise.
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Soak Up the Son - Go Forth: Week 2

(2019 - ) Archbishop Elpidophoros

May 9, 2023

It's time to Soak Up the Son! This week we learn all about St. Macrina the Elder and her legacy of saints.
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Soak Up the Son - Go Forth: Week 4

Center for Family Care

May 8, 2023

It’s interview time! This week we would like you to interview two faithful people with different life vocations. A vocation is your calling—this can be a formal job or an informal one. Take notes, snap pictures, or even make a video—whatever you and the person interviewed are comfortable with.
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Soak Up the Son - Go Forth: Week 3

Center for Family Care

May 8, 2023

Welcome back, families! We will focus the next two weeks on our God-given talents and the role they play in our “going forth.” Add the following passage from Psalm 34 to your family prayers this week.
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Soak Up the Son - Go Forth: Week 6

Center for Family Care

May 6, 2023

This week, we want you to find images that convey “sacrifice” to create a collage in your journal. You can use magazines, online images (as a family), or even take pictures of your own. As you work, always keep in mind the ultimate sacrifice—Christ accepting death on the Cross for our sins!
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Soak Up the Son - Go Forth: Week 8

Center for Family Care

May 5, 2023

This week, on August 1, we enter the fasting period for the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15). This is an appropriate time to explore the virtue of compassion exemplified by the “Panagia,” the Mother of our God. Add the following troparion from the Small Paraklesis service to your family’s prayer time this week. If you’re able, learn to chant it: https://www.goarch.org/-/learn-to-chant-paraklesis.
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Soak Up the Son - Go Forth: Week 9

Center for Family Care

May 4, 2023

This summer we have explored some of the characteristics that allow us the grace to serve as witnesses of our faith. Take some time to reflect on what you have gained from the 2018 version of Soak Up the SON through writings or images. This summer we have explored some of the characteristics that allow us the grace to serve as witnesses of our faith. Take some time to reflect on what you have gained from the 2018 version of Soak Up the SON through writings or images.
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Great Lent and Holy Week Resources for Families

Church Leadership

January 25, 2023

Resources for families and parishes.
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Center for Family Care Publications

Center for Family Care

January 13, 2023

Three publications for purchase from the Center for Family Care. Read More
Family Connection Activities for the Sundays of Great Lent

Families

January 13, 2023

Family activities for each Sunday of Great Lent.
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Dos and Donts When Explaining Disability to Your Typically Developing Children

Center for Family Care

October 31, 2022

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Lord, Do I Really Love You?

Center for Family Care

September 26, 2022

God isn’t looking for more members of the parish. God isn’t looking for religious consumers: people who come to church to get something. He’s looking for disciples: those willing to leave important things behind to follow something (Someone) of much greater importance. Discipleship is an orientation – a pattern of life – that involves commitment, action, sacrifice. Read More
Preparing Our Youth for College Life

Center for Family Care

July 25, 2022

“Six or seven out of ten young people will leave the church in college and never return.” This quote, or others like it, has been used by anxious youth workers and campus ministers for at least the past decade. For parents who want their kids to stay connected to the Church, this sounds terrifying, and it is. Read More
SUTS Walking with God: Week Six

Center for Family Care

July 18, 2022

In our last Soak Up the Son for this summer, we learn about the Prophet Habakkuk and how we can find sure-footedness (like deer) in tough times through our trust in God! Read More
SUTS Walking with God: Week Four

Families

May 16, 2022

This week we learn about the Israelites and the Ten Commandments and how they trusted that God was guiding them to a better life after their exodus from Egypt even when it was inconvenient, they were tired, or it didn’t make sense to them at the time.
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SUTS Walking with God: Week Five

Families

May 12, 2022

What happens when we disobey and know we have done something wrong? Join us this week as we learn what to do and what not to do after we make a mistake using Adam and Eve as an example!
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SUTS Walking with God: Week One

Families

May 8, 2022

It's time to get up and get out! The weather is pleasant and God's beautiful world is calling you, just blossoming with lessons to teach you about its Creator. In the first week of Soak Up the Son, God is inviting us to explore the land, "to walk in (it) through its length and its width."
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Fully Human Family Feature, Episode 1: The Haghnazari Family

Center for Family Care

January 11, 2022

Prematurely born, weighing 1 pound with a 6-month NICU stay, Cyrus has become a thriving, happy teen who plays in his high school marching band. Want to learn how to face challenges with faith and embrace the joy of living? Meet the Haghnazari family. Read More