Tending the Garden of our Hearts

It's the beginning of the Triodion! But what does "Triodion" mean? Great Lent is a beautiful time of year, and it's full of beautiful words that we're not sure we understand. In this episode, we'll consider those difficult words, and we'll talk about how we prepare ourselves and our families for Great Lent.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich as they explore the story of the Ascension and its meaning for us in our daily lives.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich as we look at the Samaritan woman whose meeting with Jesus at Jacob's well changed everything!

Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger look at the lives of two saints who changed the world: Emperor Constantine and his mother, the Empress Helena.

This week’s family meditation is part of a series focusing on the lives of the Holy Apostles. In this episode, we’ll get to know Saints James and Jude, brothers of our Lord. Create an apostles notebook or apostles trading cards with these printables: https://tending-the-garden.com/holy-apostles-printable-pages/

Christ is risen! Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger tell us about the lives of the myrrhbearers, and explore what it means to be a myrrhbearer.

Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger are back with weekly episodes. How will we carry the joy of Pascha into the coming weeks?

Elissa and Kristina explore the two related themes of this final Sunday before Great Lent: the theme of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Paradise, and the theme of forgiveness.

Today as Kristina and Elissa look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son, they ask: which son are you? Is one son better than the other? Maybe not!

Do you find that you're a Publican or a Pharisee? What does that mean?

Once a fiery youth, St. Ephraim became a meek and humble, gentle and saintly monk! On this episode, we'll get to know him better!

Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger discuss the Feast of the Presentation; they consider Christ's example to follow the commandments of God and the stories of the Righteous Simeon and Anna.

Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich share some favorite Scripture verses and quotes to help us shake off our wintry blues.

Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger tell the life story of the very beloved Serbian Saint, St. Sava who was born into the life of a prince, but had other ideas....

Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the Magi: who were these wise men from the East, and what made them decide to seek out the Baby Jesus?

Kristina and Elissa read St. Luke's account of Christ's birth, stopping along the way to consider the many ways that God communicates His love to us.

Elissa and Kristina discuss the upcoming feast of the Theophany, the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

As the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers approaches, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger look at the first chapter of Matthew's gospel and discuss the meaning of the lineage of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of the Nativity Lent, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich take some time to consider how stillness allows us to hear God's still small voice, and how practicing stillness might become a part of our fast.

As Thanksgiving comes near, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

Elissa and Kristina explore what we know about the Holy Archangels. How many can you name?

Kristina and Elissa talk about angels, how they help us, and how we can join them as they offer praise to God!

Elissa and Kristina tell about Saints Cosmas and Damian from Asia Minor. They were brothers and doctors who helped people get well without charging any money.

Elissa and Kristina explore the life of the very talented St. Luke the Evangelist, first iconographer, healer and of course, writer of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke and the Acts of the Apostles!

Kristina and Elissa explore the idea that the prayers of the Saints often cause miracles, both during their lifetime on earth and after! Here we look at the life of St. Paraskevi, at miracles worked while she was alive, a thousand years after her death, and even just recently in New York!