And now for the winners of the story contest…..Congratulations to:

Julia age 3, for her story on Mary

Anna age 9 for her story on The Lady of Light

Maria age 10 for her story on Saint Brigid.

Listen to these stories this week on Readings from Under the Grapevine podcast on Ancient Faith Radio, beginning Friday April 20.

Thank you to all the children who sent in their original stories of their favorite saints and to parents who helped send them in to me. I enjoyed reading them all! I hope you all had fun focusing on Christ through his saints especially during Lent and Holy Week.

Each of you will receive a coloring book from Potamitis Publishing and paschal chocolates for taking part!  Thank you to Potamitis Publishing for their beautiful coloring books! Watch out for them in your mail…..

by Chrissi Hart

When I trained as a Clinical Psychologist in Britain’s National Health Service, I knew that I wanted to work exclusively with children. I had the ideal job, working at the oldest children’s hospital in Europe. Several years later I moved to Cambridge and never wanted to leave there.  Those were the best years of my career as a child psychologist.  My work had been richly varied and I always loved working with children in pediatric settings. I researched and published on the assessment and hypnotic treatment of children in pain, which remains an interest of mine.

It was through my interest in hypnotherapy and storytelling that led me to write for children. I crafted personalized fairytales to help children sleep and used therapeutic metaphors for a range of childhood problems. The role of imagination and positive suggestion has always been important in therapy, helping children to overcome anxiety, pain or psychosomatic difficulties using their inner resources. Children strive for mastery and self-efficacy and love learning. In my clinical work now I am less structured, more playful in storytelling and encourage children to use their imagination to conquer anxieties and fears.

When I moved to the US in December 2000, with my husband and two children, then aged 19 months and 6 years, I was in culture shock. I initially did work that took its toll on me emotionally, spiritually and physically.  I felt I had little choice as I did not yet have my state license and we needed the income.

That all changed when my husband Barry obtained his psychology license around 2004. He encouraged me to, “Stay home, take care of the kids, write children’s books and make Baklava.” And so I did. My writer’s journey thus began after struggle, adversity and prayer.

I met my creative writing mentor in 2004 and it is to her that I credit my books. The Holy Spirit seemed to push me away from psychology at that time and into my writing career. It was as if it was meant to be.  I read many books on writing, joined the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and attended workshops. My first story was about a child struggling with divorce but I realized that it was my grandmother’s story that I really wanted to tell. Shortly after I wrote The Hermit, The Icon and The Emperor,   about the founding of Kykkos Monastery and the journey of a sacred icon.  Both of my children’s books celebrate my Greek-Cypriot culture and reconnect me to my beloved birthplace across the ocean and sea.

My writing has opened many doors for me that I did not imagine possible.  My first book, Under the Grapevine led to my podcast with the same name on Ancient Faith Radio, following an interview five years ago. I have read on it most of the Orthodox Christian books for children and particularly enjoyed reading the complete Chronicles of Narnia, a favorite among home schooling families. My motivation though comes from my listeners, both young and old.  I do this ministry for them and love receiving listener comments as it reminds me that someone is really there.  I am told that my readings soothe children at night, become part of family rituals, occupy children on long car journeys and inspire and teach. Through my books and podcast I am able to touch the hearts and minds of children and many families all over the world. I feel greatly privileged and humbled by this.

Following the release of my two children’s books, I did many church readings and it was a blessing to visit Antiochian, Greek and OCA parishes. I also represented Cyprus at the first two Kids Euro Festivals in Washington D.C. where I read my books, and enjoyed a new connection with the Embassy of Cyprus.

As for my third book, it has been a particularly long and painful journey. Christ suffered and died for our sins, so that we could return to the Garden of Paradise, so why should writing about God be easy? Christ never promised us a rose garden after all; He promised us the life giving cross for our salvation. When I was a teenager, my most creative moments came about when I was suffering and at those times I drew elaborate ink drawings.  Perhaps the suffering has been worth it after all. It is through suffering, that we grow spiritually and for me creatively. But above all, it is prayer that sustains me.

“Ask with tears, seek with obedience, knock with patience. For thus he who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”  St. John Climacus.

Dr Chrissi Hart is a Child Psychologist and author and hosts Readings from Under the Grapevine: Inspirational Stories for Children of All Ages on Ancient Faith Radio.  She has a private practice together with her husband Barry in York, PA specializing in anxiety and psychosomatic disorders in children.  She is a Consultant for Childgood: Inner Comfort Series due for launch in May 2012 and a guest cultural presenter for Kids and Cultures. She lives in York, PA with her husband and two teenage children, their cat and bird and attends St John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church where she is a choir member. Chrissi is the author of Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus and The Hermit, The Icon and The Emperor: The Holy Virgin Comes to Cyprus, both published by Conciliar Press and is currently working on two new books.

 Readings from Under the Grapevine podcast on Ancient Faith Radio will be five years old on April 14, 2012!

It all began with my first book, Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus (illustrated by Claire Brandenburg), from which the podcast took it’s name.

Under the Grapevine is my grandmother’s miraculous story of healing by Saint Kendeas, a  Cypriot Saint, now glorified in the western world. The podcast began after I recorded this story for an interview on Ancient Faith Radio.

Originally intended as bedtime listening for children, the readings are enjoyed by both young and old, soothe children at night, help distract children on long car journeys, help foreign students learn English and I am told they are a blessing for the visually impaired or when laringitis strikes and parents cannot read to their child at night! And listeners seem to like my British accent, although I never liked the sound of my own voice !

Young Fans getting ready to listen to Readings from Under the Grapevine!

And here they are again, listening to My Warrior Saints by Dionysios and Egle Ekaterine Potamitis!

I wish to thank all the publishers and individual authors who have supported Readings from Under the Grapevine by sending me their books to read.  Special thanks go to CS Lewis Pte Ltd. for granting us permission to read the complete Chronicles of Narnia, a favorite for both children and adults.

At Ancient Faith Radio we are holding a story contest for children aged 3 and up. Children can write a short story about their favorite saint (less than 800 words). Younger children can tell their story to mom or dad. Send in typed stories, double spaced with your child’s name and age to by April 14 to me at grapevine@ancientfaith.com.  I will read the winning story at the end of April on Readings from Under the Grapevine. The winner can select a book of his or her choice  from one of the books read on the podcast. So children – start writing!  I can’t wait to read your stories!

To celebrate five years of Orthodox and classic Christian literature St. Stylianos Books is offering a 10%  discount on orders. Remember to use the coupon code “grapevine” at the checkout to receive a 10% discount.

Have you or your children enjoyed Readings from Under the Grapevine? Have they become a part of your family ritual? Drop me a note below and share your own experiences.

To celebrate five years of “Readings from Under the Grapevine,” we are inviting children to send in an original short story (800 words or less) about their favorite Saint! Stories should be double spaced and include a title and your child’s name and age. Please email stories to Dr. Chrissi Hart (grapevine@ancientfaith.com) by April 14. The winning story will be read on the podcast, and the winner will receive a free book.

Saint Kendeas Feast Day

Book reading Saturday March 10, 2012 at.

Saint George & the Dragon at 11.30 am.

Saint Catherine at 12.30 pm.

Venue: Agia Sophia Coffee shop and Bookstore

225 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, opposite the Whitaker Centre.

For children ages 4 and up and adults too!

Please support Agia Sophia Coffee Shop and Bookstore and bring your children along to hear these beautiful stories.

I will be reading Saint George & the Dragon by Jim Forest, published by St Vladimir’s Seminary Press and after the coffee break….

Saint Catherine by Dionysios and Egle-Ekaterine Potamitis published by Potamitis publishing.

My own children’s books and a selection of other Orthodox and classic Christian children’s books will be available for purchase with all profits to Agia Sophia.

Agia Sophia Coffee Shop and Bookstore is a spiritual and relaxing haven.  All profits from the coffee shop and bookstore support local charities! Find out more about Agia Sophia by visiting, http://agiasophiaharrisburg.com/

Hope to see you there!

Chrissi Hart

Saturday April 21, 2012

11am to 3pm with performances in the auditorium from 1.30 -3pm including my Flamenco dance and musical performance by Maria del Rey!

Central York Middle School

1950 North Hills Road

York, PA 17402

Featuring keynote speaker Adam Taliaferro, inspirational former Penn State Football player who rebounded from life-threatening injury and now encourages resiliency in others.

• Performances by Central York Students
• Ethnic food available for purchase and free samples
• Vendor showcase
• Race machine

Sponsored by the Central York School District Diversity Education Committe

Fr Stephen serves coffee at Agia Sophia Coffee Shop and Bookstore in Harrisburg, PA on Sunday January 15 following a blessing of the Susquehanna River.  The coffee shop was packed full of visitors sampling specialty coffees, some sitting on soft leather sofas, others exploring the carefully arranged bookshelves. It was my first visit and I was impressed! The smell of coffee beans, the sound of friendly chatter,  and intricate  decor  was quite a feast for the senses.

Inspired by the original Agia Sophia in Colorado Springs, CO, this coffee shop is perfectly located at 225 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, opposite the Whittaker Centre.  The classic decor provides a warm and inviting ambience… and  all profits benefit local charities.

Agia Sophia is a relaxing and spiritual haven to enjoy your coffee or tea while browsing classic literature.   Find out more by visiting:

http://agiasophiaharrisburg.com/

Visit Agia Sophia Coffee Shop and Bookstore soon and bring a friend!

In Concert

Sunday February 5, 2012

St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church

2397 N. Sherman Street

York, PA 17406

717 751 4709