UNDER THE GRAPEVINE

UNDER THE GRAPEVINE is a beautiful story told by Chrissi Hart, about her grandmother, as a young child.  She lived with her family on the island of Cyprus.  The author, also born in Cyprus, tells us in the preface:
This book is based on a true story about my grandmother that my mother used to tell me.  Now I tell it to my children, and I want to share it with others so they may learn about Saint Kendeas..."

For us in the modern world, this simple retelling comes across as refreshing and innocent, as the storyteller lovingly unfolds a quiet tale, handed down over several generations, about a very sick girl, her worried (but faithful and believing parents), and a saint who lived over a thousand years ago...

The doctors didn't know what was wrong with Christina, but she couldn't walk.  Her mother lit candles for her in church every Sunday and prayed for her healing.  Christina, too, would pray as she lay under a grapevine near the field where her parents worked on their farm.  But she grew even sicker.

Fearing Christina might die, her mother began to ask Saint Kendeas, a much loved Wonderworker and local saint, for his intercessions. 
Christina's mother knew God worked through him and other saints to heal  the sick.  "Please hear my prayer and help our child get well" her mother prayed with all her heart and soul, "Lord Christ our God, Son of God have mercy on us and save us.  Mother of God, save us."  Her mother would pray all day long and into the evening.

A miracle begins to take shape when an old "grandfather" comes to Christina under the grapevine and takes her to a church with a small cave "filled with icons and candles...and a holy spring."  You'll have to read the book to see what happens.

The pictures in this book are a wonderful backdrop for the storytelling.  I love the old-world feel of Claire Brandenburg's beautiful illustrations of  countryside farms and the village church with its familiar, yet ancient icons of Christ and His Saints.

There is a note at the end of the book about St. Kendeas, who  lived sometime between the seventh and tenth centuries.  His love for Christ led him, at the age of 18, to become a monk.  He left his homeland (modern Germany) and lived a monastic life in the desert of Jordan. Eventually he travelled to Cyprus, where he lived in a cave alone.  By God's grace, many miracles have been attributed to him during his lifetime, as well as after.

Author, Dr. Chrissi Hart, a clinical psychologist, helped troubled children for 20 years in England.  She now writes stories for children and has a podcast, READINGS FROM UNDER THE GRAPEVINE, on Ancient Faith Radio, where you can hear her soothing voice reading aloud books of all kinds for all ages.  Dr. Hart's children's books are available from Conciliar Press, if you click here.  Visit her website, http://chrissihart.com/, for her blog, information about her books, and psychology resources for children.

There is nothing impossible unto those who believe; lively and unshaken faith can accomplish great miracles in the twinkling of an eye. Besides, even without our sincere and firm faith, miracles are accomplished, such as the miracles of the sacraments; for God's Mystery is always accomplished, even though we were incredulous or unbelieving at the time of its celebration. "Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" (Rom. 3:3).
-St. John of Kronstadt