Under the Grapevine -A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus
by Chrissi Hart • illustrated by Claire Brandenburg
When Christina becomes seriously ill, her mother prays constantly for her, until one day a holy man appears on a white horse and takes her to his church to be healed.
Christina returns to the family farm, where she runs to her parents to tell them about the holy “grandfather” who helped her.
This true story, Under the Grapevine, A Miracle by St. Kendeas of Cyprus
Praise for Under the Grapevine
“…The writing and illustrations are beautiful, and the story guides both young and old to look to the Saints of the Holy Orthodox Church for Intercession with our Lord. It is even more uplifting to know that it is based on the true story of your grandmother, and her miraculous healing through the intercession of St. Kendeas.
…I would highly recommend your book to all of our parents as a way of inspiring great hope in our children….”
--Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
“..You have my warmest congratulations for the fact that you remember Cyprus and for the useful book you wrote. Your book will excite and touch the hearts of the young readers…”
--Chrysostomos Archbishop of Cyprus
“…The simple language and the striking illustrations make it eminently suitable for both children and adults. Indeed, through the telling of this story the name of the saint will be glorified in the English-speaking world….
May Almighty God bless you and your family and give you health and strength to write many more similar books to enlighten and guide our young people about the very nature of our Holy Church and the saints and martyrs who have shone forth throughout the centuries, proclaiming their belief and dedication to the eternal teachings of Him Who although God took flesh and lived among us being full of grace and truth (cf. John 1:14)”
--Gregorios Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
"Glancing at the pictures, which praise rather than merely speak the name of our living Lord, your book offers great consolation to any person's heart and soul filled with pain and sorrow in this world of ours. More than this however, it is an example of true faith and hope in the living Tradition of our church, her Fathers and the saints who unobtrusively intercede and pray that we follow the 'golden way' to His Kingdom."
-- Archbishop Stylianos of Australia
"St. Kendeas is by all means an international saint having been born in Germany, dwelled in Jerusalem and finally Cyprus. With this book you manage to bring his fame and doxology even further, i.e. to the New Land. Consider this response of ours as an encouragement letter for the composition of more story-books of this kind and be sure of our prayers for you, your precious family and your voluntary work with the Orthodox Community."
-- Archbishop Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens and Primate of the Orthodox Church of Greece
"Chrissi Hart's Under the Grapevine inspires children to respect and honor the miraculous faith of their parents and grandparents. In Chrissi's typical imaginative style she creates captivating characters that engage the reader in a spiritual journey of healing and loving self-awareness. Under the Grapevine is a beautifully written and illustrated book. I recommend that every child have the opportunity to be part of its journey."
Rev. Frank Marangos, D.Min., Ed.D.
Executive Director of Communications, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
"A beautiful story that can introduce little children to the healing reality of the great saints of Christianity."
Kyriacos Markides, Author of The Mountain of Silence and Gifts of the Desert
"Under the Grapevine weaves together faith and family, church and home, child and Saint in a timeless story that should be in every Orthodox library."
Carole Buleza, Curriculum Department Chairperson, Orthodox Christian Education Commission
"This story manifests the spiritual wealth of our Christian tradition. Through this book I had the chance to find again a little bit of peace and serenity for myself amid the hectic rhythms of the big city life by taking me back to my childhood years."
Basil (Vassilis) Siavelis, Cyprus Tourism Organization, NY, NY.
A true story describes the miraculous healing of a young girl in Cyprus in 1909 by a much-loved local saint who lived more than one thousand years ago.
This account of a twentieth century miracle is made particularly vivid when it is understood that the author's grandmother is the young girl of the story. A treasured family memory now being shared with a wider audience, written by a member of the British Cypriot community.
Preview Under the Grapevine
Preview the first nine pages of Under the Grapevine (Click Link to Download)
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Thank you for your interest in ordering Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by St. Kendeas of Cyprus
The book is available from Conciliar Press [Buy NOW], Borders and Barnes & Noble Bookstores
Under the Grapevine:
A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus
Published by Conciliar Press
P.O. Box 76
Ben Lomond, California 95005
Printed in China
Text copyright © 2006 by Chrissi Hart
Illustrations copyright © 2006 by Claire Brandenburg
All rights reserved.
ISBN 1-888212-84-5
CALL to Order: 1-800-967-7377
US customers may order the book here on Amazon.
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Letters from Orthodox Bishops About the Book: Under the Grapevine
“…The writing and illustrations are beautiful, and the story guides both young and old to look to the Saints of the Holy Orthodox Church for Intercession with our Lord. It is even more uplifting to know that it is based on the true story of your grandmother, and her miraculous healing through the intercession of St. Kendeas.
…I would highly recommend your book to all of our parents as a way of inspiring great hope in our children….”
--His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
“..You have my warmest congratulations for the fact that you remember Cyprus and for the useful book you wrote. Your book will excite and touch the hearts of the young readers…”
--His Eminence Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus
“…The simple language and the striking illustrations make it eminently suitable for both children and adults. Indeed, through the telling of this story the name of the saint will be glorified in the English-speaking world….
May Almighty God bless you and your family and give you health and strength to write many more similar books to enlighten and guide our young people about the very nature of our Holy Church and the saints and martyrs who have shone forth throughout the centuries, proclaiming their belief and dedication to the eternal teachings of Him Who although God took flesh and lived among us being full of grace and truth (cf. John 1:14)”
--His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain
"Glancing at the pictures, which praise rather than merely speak the name of our living Lord, your book offers great consolation to any person's heart and soul filled with pain and sorrow in this world of ours. More than this however, it is an example of true faith and hope in the living Tradition of our church, her Fathers and the saints who unobtrusively intercede and pray that we follow the 'golden way' to His Kingdom."
-- His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia
"St. Kendeas is by all means an international saint having been born in Germany, dwelled in Jerusalem and finally Cyprus. With this book you manage to bring his fame and doxology even further, i.e. to the New Land. Consider this response of ours as an encouragement letter for the composition of more story-books of this kind and be sure of our prayers for you, your precious family and your voluntary work with the Orthodox Community."
-- His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens and Primate of the Orthodox Church of Greece
The Most Reverend PHILIP : The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Archbishop of Athens and Primate of the Orthodox Church of Greece
Archbishop STYLIANOS of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia
Chrysostomos Archbishop of Cyprus
Gregorios Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
Opening Dedication
To Barry, Adam and Sophia
Under the Grapevine was published, in part, through generous donations from the Pandelidis family, Voula Katz, and Norm and Marie Kailian.
I would like to thank the following people who assisted in unique and invaluable ways throughout this project: my mother, Judy Wolfman; Anna Tziorta; Dr. Barry Hart; Rev. Leon Carberry; Carole Buleza;Voula Katz; Fr. Peter Pier; Dr. Kirk Pandelidis and Dr. Michael Legaspi, who together translated the hymn to Saint Kendeas; the nuns at Saint Kendeas Monastery; and finally, to Saint Kendeas for the miracle Under the Grapevine. Memory eternal!
Claire Brandenburg: Illustrator for Under the Grapevine
A fine artist turned children's book writer and illustrator, Claire received a BFA in art and education from the University of New Mexico. Working in a variety of different art forms for over thirty years she has shown her work in galleries and museums and has received numerous awards.
Intrigued with the possibilities of using both picture and word, she has entered a new world of play and imagination. Join her on her web site adventure!
Thank you Claire for graciously letting us use the artwork from the book for the web site.
Learn About the Life of Saint Kendeas
Saint Kendeas was a monk who lived between the seventh and tenth centuries and is recognized as a saint by the Orthodox Church.
His cave, church, and monastery are located near the village of Avgorou, in a fertile region of Cyprus that is famous for growing potatoes and for basket-weaving. Nearby coastal towns are known for their sandy beaches and clear turquoise water.
Saint Kendeas left his homeland of Alemanni (modern Germany), when he was eighteen and went to Jerusalem to live a monastic life with other hermits in the desert of Jordan. There he healed a young boy who was the son of a great nobleman from Jerusalem.
From Jordan he traveled by boat with other hermit monks to Cyprus, where, upon arrival, they miraculously survived a shipwreck.
Eventually, Saint Kendeas went to live alone in a cave near Avgorou, spending the rest of his life as an ascetic.
When Saint Kendeas arrived at the cave, he was thirsty and prayed to God for water to drink. The stone he knelt on filled with clear holy water and still flows today.
Throughout the centuries many sick people have asked Saint Kendeas for his help. Through his prayers to God, they have been cured.
He lived a long and virtuous life and has continued to perform numerous wonders and miracles for children and adults who believe in him and love Jesus Christ.
His feast day is celebrated on October 6.
Troparion* to Saint Kendeas
Having hallowed through struggles the Jordan wilderness and the island of Cyprus,
You shone out upon all through remarkable battles as a fixed star.
Therefore, having seen the fullness of your wonders,
O God-bearing Kendeas, we lift our voices:
Glory to You, O Christ, through him who extols.
Glory to You through him who magnifies.
Glory to the One who through you heals illnesses for all.
* A troparion is a special hymn composed for a saint and sung on his feast day.