I managed to find this dandy little item at a bookstore once, and I’ve been sold on them ever since. “The Daily Lives, Miracles and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar” is a spiral-bound daily calendar lets you start the day with a little something to think about and other bits of help. In addition, it was the best boost I could ask for with a resolution I made to myself to get to know the saints and Orthodox writers (ancient and new) a little better. I’m passing on the recommendation because I don’t think they’re very well-known.

There’s a new one every year (of course). For every day you get:

• a list of the saints of the day
• a longer reading — usually the life of one of the saints, but sometimes a church festival, miracle or the story of a celebrated icon.
• a short thought for the day from a church father or other Orthodox thinker
• Scripture readings for the day and a reference to any feasts
• fasting guidelines

Sort of like the old “Daily Bread” pages your grandma used to include in her letters to you (or was that just my grandma). Anyway, I’ve found them a wonderful help to kick off the little time I’ve got alloted to Orthodox reading. The only caveats I would throw in there is that: (a) not every quote of the day is solid gold — with 365 every year, you’re bound to have a clunker every now and then, but darn few; and (b) occasionally the Scripture readings don’t mesh with what we’re doing in church. And by the way, this is New Calendar, not Old Calendar.

They’re put out by a small company, and so I believe the only way to get them is to order by mail. They’re $15.00 each (with a 10% discount if you get more than 20), plus $1.75 S&H for one or $2.50 for two. Check or money order to:
Georgia Mitrakos
P. O. Box 11331
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

There are other special instructions for Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, and I guess they don’t ship elsewhere. Plus other shipping info if you’re ordering more than two or want to get them faster. E-mail mitrakos@comcast.net for more info.