I actually felt that Dr. Boojamra’s book was more helpful in a practical sense than Sophie’s but both are pretty vague in implementing actual lessons, etc – which is kinda the idea. That’s the beauty of Orthodoxy, there’s not a specific way to do everything. We are called to pray but not everyone’s prayer life is the same. We are called to fast but it’s going to be slightly different for different families given their circumstances. We’re called to give alms but it can be in different ways to different people. There’s guidance but freedom. I think the same is for our church schools and homes. I think that’s what we lack right now – guidance. We lost it over the years and it’s time to return. Look at how many people are adapting curricula from other faiths. What happened to an Orthodox approach? We don’t even know what that is anymore. I think that’s really my goal in this – maybe try to define an Orthodox approach with SOME examples. I’ve already got several people who are going to read over my work to make sure I don’t make it into something I believe versus something the Church believes.

I read that Sophie Koulomzin book when I was just beginning an overhaul of our church school program, and I also felt that it really helped me. I don’t remember the introduction, but I do remember that she talks about the role of church school vs. learning in the home, and the kinds of things that help children learn. I don’t think it’s possible to come up with a perfect educational plan at the beginning — it takes time to find what works and what doesn’t, but her thoughts from her experience helped frame a better plan.