First, I’ll be honest in saying I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to read and review this particular book. Let’s face it, death is something many of us want to avoid talking about out of fear or dread. But in the end, I’m glad I was given the chance to read this book. I can say I learned some things, and it definitely gave me a lot to think about.
Fr. Stavros’s book is a good read for new converts and cradle Orthodox, in my opinion. I love how Father brings a logical but beautiful approach to understanding the scary but inevitable topic of death. He walks us all through how to deal with those unexpected tragedies, our own end of life, and so much more.
In the book, Fr. Stavros offers up many personal stories and experiences to help us see death and how some deal with it. It really was a great look into a Priest’s role in someone’s end of life. The story of Eva was so touching and was something I thought about for several days after reading that chapter.
Although it wasn’t something mentioned, it reminded me of reading his words on the pages to continue to pray for our Priests as they guide Parishioners and their families through sickness, dying, and tragic situations. I’m so thankful men like my priest and Fr. Stavoros answer the call to guide us along our walk with Christ.
Often in our younger years, we are too busy living life to prepare as we should. like thinking it is not something to consider at the moment.
I’m guilty of not thinking about end-of-life arrangements (I’m definitely not getting younger), or how to prepare myself or my family for how I want things to be when my time comes.
This book is a great reminder to start being smart and planning, as we do not know how soon our time will be.
Since I’m a newer convert of only 5 years, the whole Orthodox funeral service is much different than others I went to growing up, so it makes sense that I should begin to think about these things and prepare ahead, just as we are living our days out here on Earth, preparing ourselves to enter into the Kingdom one day.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Ancient Faith Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own and 100% honest.
These Pumpkin Muffins are vegan and a great option for Coffee Hour, as the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to make a large batch. They also freeze very well if you are making them ahead of time for your family or a gathering.
Super Easy Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
These super-easy pumpkin muffins are delicious, and you won’t even notice they are vegan. These muffins are best for oil days as they do contain some oil.
I have used both melted coconut and avocado oil in them, and they have turned out amazing each time.
The recipe as written will make about 12-14 muffins, depending on how full you fill your muffin cups. However, this recipe is very easy to double to triple, so you can make a large batch, which is perfect for sharing at your church’s Coffee Hour, holiday gatherings during Nativity, or even just snack prep for your freezer.
How to Store Frozen Orthodox Fast Friendly Muffins
Once you’ve baked your muffins and let them cool completely, they can be served or stored away until you need them. These will keep fresh on the countertop in an airtight container for a few days or in the fridge for up to a week or two.
But if they also do fantastic in the freezer. I place them all in a single layer on a large tray and place them in the freezer just long enough for them to freeze solid.
Then, once they are frozen, you can pull out the tray and put them in some thick freezer bags and place them back into the freezer. These will last a couple of months in the freezer that way.
You can pull them out as needed and just let them thaw on the counter or in the fridge. They will still be moist and fresh and taste amazing even after being frozen.
One thing to note is that the tops might be slightly sticky as they defrost, so be sure they are not stacked on each other, or they might stick together a bit.
Yield: 12-14 muffins
Orthodox Fasting Pumpkin Muffins
These muffins are delicous and a great fast friendly snack or Coffee Hour treat. They are perfect make ahead and freeze.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time22 minutes
Additional Time15 minutes
Total Time57 minutes
Ingredients
15 ounce can pumpkin puree
1/3 cup melted coconut or avocado oil
1/2 cup plant milk of choice, unsweetened
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Optional Topping Ingredients
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1/4 cup of oats
2 to 3 tablespoons of melted oil
3 tablespoons of raw pumpkin seeds, optional
Instructions
In a large bowl, combin the pumpkin, your oil of choice, plant milk and the brown sugar. Mix these ingredients until well combined.
Next add in the flour, baking powder, salt and spices into the mixtures and mix the dry ingredients into the wet gently using a large wooden spoon or a mixer on low speed until just combined.
The batter is ready to bake now but if you want to take them to another level you can add the optional toppins. To do this combine all the dry topping ingredients into a small bowl and add in a couple tablespoons of melted oil. Mix it all until it looks like pea size crumbles.
Lastly fill the muffin cups at least 1/2 to 3/4 way full, depending on how big you want you muffins and top each one with a little of the crumble mixture.
Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus, of Nicomedia (304). Bl. Andrew, Fool-for-Christ, at Constantinople (936). Repose of Rt. Blv. Princess Anna of Kashin (1338). Ven. Cassian of Uglich (1504). Martyrs David and Constantine, Princes of Georgia (740). Righteous Warrior Theodore Ushakóv (1817).
Prayer Before Reading the Holy Scripture
Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ephesians 4:14-19
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Luke 6:12-19
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
The Refuge: Anchoring the Soul in God
Joseph: An Edifying Story Taken from the Book of Genesis – Part 25 of 37
“Joseph gave the secret command to fill the bags of his brothers with wheat and to return the money they had paid into each bag, and even to give them extra money for the return journey. … At the first stop, one of them, intending to feed his donkey, took off the bag from its back. Somehow, it came untied; and he saw his bundle of money lying on the top of the bag of wheat. He called to his brothers: ‘My money has been returned to me …’ Their hearts were horrified. They were disturbed, and said to one another: ‘What is God doing with us?’ Having arrived in the land of Canaan, they recounted to their father everything that had occurred to them… When they poured the wheat out of their bags, each one of them found the bundle of money with which he had paid for the wheat, … and they were afraid. Their father was also afraid. ‘You,’ he said to them, ‘have made me completely childless: Joseph is no more; Simeon is no more; and now, you want to take Benjamin from me? Because of you, all these troubles have fallen on my head.’ Reuben answered him: ‘You may kill both of my sons, if I do not bring Benjamin back to you.’ But the elder said: ‘My son will not go with you! His brother died, he alone remans. If any evil were to befall him on the road, then you will send me — sorrowfully, in my old age, into hell.’”
In this sequel to Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: A Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, Fr. Evan Armatas covers three additional spiritual tools—Scripture, confession, and time. Drawing upon the wisdom of the Old and New Testaments, the Orthodox Church, the saints, and years of pastoral experience, Fr. Evan mixes theology with practical advice and personal stories. Readers will better understand the Sacrament of Confession and the importance of reading the Bible and of living in the present, where the eternal touches ordinary time. These spiritual tools will help us heal and become truly human as they provide support to anyone who seeks to live a transfigured life in Christ.
About the Author:
Father Evan Armatas is a parish priest in Loveland, Colorado, where he has served since 2007. He is the author of two books from Ancient Faith Publishing: Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Roadmap to Parish Health (2022) and Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: A Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving (2020). He hosts a live call-in radio show, Orthodoxy Live, on Ancient Faith Radio, and speaks across the US on various topics. He and his wife, Presbytera Stacy, are the happy parents of four. They enjoy skiing, fly fishing, and hiking.
I’ve been listening to Fr. Evan for over five years, since our family began our journey into Orthodoxy, and I’ve loved his weekly live podcast. When I got the chance to read and review this book, the second installment of the Toolkit for Spiritual Growth series, I knew I just had to. It was just as helpful to me, if not more, than his wonderful podcast. The way Fr. Evan has with words is so comforting. He has a way of explaining things in the church that makes them easy to understand, even for converts like myself who are 5 years in, still having so much goodness to learn.
As I was reading all three sections on the importance of reading the scriptures, confessions, and Theology of Time, I felt as though he and I were having a conversation. It was nice. He offered up wisdom from scriptures, church history, and personal experiences that helped me to see the topic at hand from a new perspective. Again, it just makes this book of wisdom so personal and easy to relate to.
As a former Protestant, converting to Orthodoxy meant I was totally new to confession, and even though I’ve been doing it for a few years now, I still wonder if I’m doing it correctly. If I’m being honest, sometimes I was a little confused about the necessity, since God forgives us, not men (as the church itself teaches us). But with Fr. Evan’s book, he breaks it down practically and explains why the church teaches us to do this and how it is a form of healing for us. Not only did he help me understand, but he also gave some wonderful and very practical ways to approach our confessions, such as how we can prepare, what to expect during, and even some good advice on what not to do. I love that he even shared some of his own confession stories and ways he prepares himself. I’m so grateful he chose to share his personal experience to help us.
I wasn’t sure what the chapter on time was going to be about, but I’m a little shook to my core. He begins by teaching us about two different types of time, and that was so interesting and enlightening, but as I read more into the chapter about all the distractions we choose, yes choose, to let derail us and steal our time, I wept. I’m not even kidding. The words he was saying weren’t rocket science, and I’ve thought about some of them before, but the way Fr. Evan explains all these distractions that keep us from living in the present with God, it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I do that, sadly, I do choose distractions like social media, to avoid the hard things, and I let them steal my precious time away from my more often than I care to admit. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! Like Fr. Evan says in his book, these distractions we let steal from us eventually become a habit that is hard to break, but I know with praying, fasting, and the help of Christ, I can overcome the distractions I’ve been choosing. I want my time in the present back!
If you are new to Orthodoxy, this book, as well as the first in this series, is a wonderful place to find easy-to-understand and relatable teachings that are full of wisdom. Even if you are cradle Orthodox, please read these books; it will, if nothing else, be a great refresher for you on all these great tools for our spiritual growth.
Disclaimer:I was blessed to receive a copy of this book from Ancient Faith. In exchange, I agreed to read and offer a fair and honest review. I’m so glad I did read it, and I’m thankful for this opportunity to share my feedback. All the information in this review is of my own accord and my personal reflection.
Where Can I Purchase the Toolkit for Spiritual Growth?
There are a couple of places I know of that you can purchase Fr. Evans’ books. One being on the Ancient Faith Store on their website that I will link to below, and also on Amazon.
You can also find Fr. Evan’s other two books on these platforms as well. I’d love to hear from you if you’ve read this book of his or the first installment!
One of the biggest misunderstandings people have about the Eastern Orthodox Church is that we treat “Tradition” like some extra layer of man made rules on top of Scripture. But the truth is much simpler.
Before the New Testament was finished, the Church was already alive. The apostles didn’t just write letters, they preached, baptized, broke bread, ordained bishops, and taught people how to live and pray as Christians. Most of that wasn’t written down at first. It was LIVED. That’s what we mean by “Holy Tradition.” The lived, Spirit guided memory and practice of the Church that comes from the apostles.
The early Christians didn’t need a verse to tell them to make the Sign of the Cross They didn’t need chapter and verse to believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. They fasted. They prayed to the saints. They used the threefold ministry of bishop, priest, and deacon. They baptized by triple immersion. They celebrated the Liturgy. They believed Mary was the Theotokos. Not because they read it in a Bible, but because they were taught it by those who were taught by the apostles.
The very Bible we all now have came from that same Church. The Church didn’t appear because there was a New Testament. The New Testament exists because there was already a Church, the one Christ founded, and that Church preserved the apostolic teaching, both written and unwritten.
So when we talk about “oral tradition,” we’re not talking about whispers in the dark or secret teachings hidden from the people. We’re talking about the way the Faith was actually lived and handed down. And it’s still being lived today. The same exact Divine Liturgy. The same exact Creed. The same exact prayers. The same exact theology. Faithfully preserved, like a fire passed from torch to torch.
Tradition isn’t a rival to Scripture. It’s the context of Scripture. It’s the reason Scripture was recognized, protected, and interpreted rightly. It’s not Scripture or Tradition. It’s Scripture within Tradition.
They didn’t need chapter and verse to believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. They fasted. They prayed to the saints. They used the threefold ministry of bishop, priest, and deacon. They baptized by triple immersion. They celebrated the Liturgy. They believed Mary was the Theotokos. Not because they read it in a Bible, but because they were taught it by those who were taught by the apostles.
