rubymaggard's review
5.0
How can I describe this book?
A journey.
It invites you into the lives of seven women who loved Christ. Then, it invites you to apply their story to your life. Then, it invites you to make observations about a friend.
The stories in the book always touched me. Each one was related to an aspect of life, as well as an element from the earth, such as river, stone, leaf, etc. These were used to further the way the Saints stories could be understood.
Truly a beautiful journey. I recommend for every women. Period.
You should buy it!
It can be found on Ancientfaith.com then going to ‘store’
A journey.
It invites you into the lives of seven women who loved Christ. Then, it invites you to apply their story to your life. Then, it invites you to make observations about a friend.
The stories in the book always touched me. Each one was related to an aspect of life, as well as an element from the earth, such as river, stone, leaf, etc. These were used to further the way the Saints stories could be understood.
Truly a beautiful journey. I recommend for every women. Period.
You should buy it!
It can be found on Ancientfaith.com then going to ‘store’
wholenessof's review
5.0
Seven Holy Women was a lovely book for me to read. I listened to the Audible version which was about 4 hours long. Each chapter was written by a different Orthodox woman differing in background. All but one of the authors read her chapter aloud in the audiobook. A consistency in writing is important, so each woman reading about the Saint she had written on were easy transitions between chapters.
What I appreciate about this book is that each chapter begins a fictional scenario of each Saint inspired by true events in their lives. Storytelling has always been the way traditions are shared and passed down through all of human history. A story can exaggerate a little for the sake of impressing the intent into memory while the whole truth remains intact. With the mention of each Saints’ name I have implicit memory of her life, her miracles, her martyrdom or repose, and why we commemorate her. St Cassilda, a Spanish Saint, reminds me of roses. St Morwenna reminds me of rocky paths and large stones. St Ia reminds me of a leaf.
Each Holy woman evokes something with which we are all familiar: death of a loved one; a situation we never thought we would be in; feeling left behind; a broken heart. All things that most, if not all, of us have experienced. The brilliance of each life shared is the faithfulness of God, and their courage to remain faithful to Him.
At the end of each chapter is a space for group discussion. Questions related to the life of each Saint are followed by reflection questions for oneself and one’s friend in the group in light of the themes in each Saint’s life. I will be joining together with two women in my parish to go over this book over the next two months and I’m really looking forward to that connection and discussion.
I recommend this book first and foremost for women, especially for a group of women. Men can also read these Saints’ lives, of course, and perhaps adapt the questions for a man; however I am sure there is a male counterpart to this book to be found somewhere (or someone could write it?
What I appreciate about this book is that each chapter begins a fictional scenario of each Saint inspired by true events in their lives. Storytelling has always been the way traditions are shared and passed down through all of human history. A story can exaggerate a little for the sake of impressing the intent into memory while the whole truth remains intact. With the mention of each Saints’ name I have implicit memory of her life, her miracles, her martyrdom or repose, and why we commemorate her. St Cassilda, a Spanish Saint, reminds me of roses. St Morwenna reminds me of rocky paths and large stones. St Ia reminds me of a leaf.
Each Holy woman evokes something with which we are all familiar: death of a loved one; a situation we never thought we would be in; feeling left behind; a broken heart. All things that most, if not all, of us have experienced. The brilliance of each life shared is the faithfulness of God, and their courage to remain faithful to Him.
At the end of each chapter is a space for group discussion. Questions related to the life of each Saint are followed by reflection questions for oneself and one’s friend in the group in light of the themes in each Saint’s life. I will be joining together with two women in my parish to go over this book over the next two months and I’m really looking forward to that connection and discussion.
I recommend this book first and foremost for women, especially for a group of women. Men can also read these Saints’ lives, of course, and perhaps adapt the questions for a man; however I am sure there is a male counterpart to this book to be found somewhere (or someone could write it?
luckyliza13's review
5.0
A very well written and well conceived concept! The reader can spend as much or as little time as she wants with each section which is designed for interaction with thought provoking questions and journal prompts. There is even space for writing your answers, should you desire. Each saint is introduced in a first person narrative that really draws in the reader. That is followed by a brief biography of the saint, then the author of the section writes about her own connections with the saint. Each section flows beautifully and can be read as stand alone pieces.
This is a wonderful book group choice for any Orthodox Christian women’s group!
This is a wonderful book group choice for any Orthodox Christian women’s group!
mimima's review
5.0
Melissa Elizabeth Naasko's spiritual father tells her that getting to know the saints is like meeting them at a dinner party. This is your invitation to the dinner party. And, like a dinner party, you encounter different styles and ways of speaking, but learn from each. Peaceful, thought provoking, challenging, and beautiful. One to read often.
In the interest of full disclosure, I know several of the authors.
In the interest of full disclosure, I know several of the authors.
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