We kiss the frame of an icon because. We pray for a Breath of the Eternal. We gaze upon an icon because… Read more

The door of a quaint little house opened, and a teen entered, his mouth covered with a scarf and a hood over his head… Read more

BY AVELLINA BALESTRI The whole Battle of Stirling made me feel kind of adrift and apathetic about who was doing what. Read more

She came from an affluent and strict family, whom Father Flaherty was very close to. Carol Ann Murphy was, by all accounts… Read more

There are two forces at work when the sun sets on Halloween, one dark, the other light. They are often at war with each other… Read more

On Halloween night, when the old folk take fright and the children are snug in their beds. The Faerie and Goblins all take… Read more

The discipline of reading at least one poem each day. The meter started getting rough aboard. A scheduled poetic three-minute tour… Read more

Hurt. A Small Word… “Does it still hurt, Frodo?” Pip swaddled him in blankets. Hurt. A small word – more fitted to… Read more

BY AVELLINA BALESTRI St. Teresa of Avila puts me in touch with Christ through her ecstatic longing for union with a lover. Read more

BY CHRIS S. (ALIAS WEREWOLFKING350) In the middle of the night, he awakened in a cold sweat… Read more

Kirk sat on the edge of his bed, drinking a cup of coffee. He rubbed his eyes with one hand. The intercom on his wall chirped… Read more

The Wind Lord himself brought the news to Imladris. Not that it was more than confirmation to me. Vilya had glowed faintly for a moment… Read more

A man could swim across the Hellespont, or walk poor Keats’ dark forest thoughtlessly. Drink deeply from the Castalian font… Read more

BY AVELLINA BALESTRI There is Hussain, displaying a father’s desperation and begging for water when he sees his infant son is likely to die too. Read more

The apples had the power to heal and to sustain a person for many months. But, if there were no apples to be given out, then… Read more

Every book we read to a little child. Every kindness we work for another soul. Every bowl we fill while serving the poor… Read more

“Chishaki-sama, what are you going to do about the boy?” The brown-haired tengu glanced at the young kodama, moaning and… Read more

BY AVELLINA BALESTRI When a Muslim says that God is indivisible, again, I wouldn’t automatically think that was intended to disclaim the Trinity. Read more

A security officer ushered Descin and Albix into the dining room together, Todar following behind them. Albix wore his orange robe… Read more

BY BOKERAH BRUMLEY “You’ll like Penelope, and I think you’ll love our story. Without realizing it, you were partially responsible.” Read more