Teaching My Children about St. Herman Through a Story, Prayers, and Cookies

I am fond of teaching children by using as many different learning styles as possible in a lesson.  Each of us has strengths and weaknesses in how we retain information based on how we learn best.  I always try to teach my children and students about a topic through as many senses as possible in a lesson.  I figure, if we are taught in the Liturgy through using all five of our senses, then I want to teach my children this way at home as well.

The idea for making spruce tree sugar cookies to remember St. Herman on December 13th came last year from the cookbook – “When You Fast: Recipes for Lenten Seasons” by Catherine Mandell.  She is the daughter of Fr. Thomas Hopko.  I couldn’t just reprint her recipe on my blog  so I created two of my own and have shared them with you below.  (As a side note: the cookbook is wonderful and a great addition to your fasting collection of recipes.)

We began our lesson on Saint Herman with my husband reading “North Star: St. Herman of Alaska” by Dorrie Papademetriou.  She is one of my all time favorite Orthodox children’s authors.  Her stories are absolutely, beautifully illustrated and they are not too lengthy for young children.

After reading the story, we pulled out a map and had the kids point to Alaska.  Then we had them look on the map for Spruce Island where St. Herman lived.  We talked about how priests came over from Russia and taught the people of Alaska about Orthodoxy and the impact it has left on present day Alaska.  Many years ago, we were able to take our daughter to Alaska but our sons have never been there.  Alaska is a place like none other I have ever seen – and I have done a decent amount of traveling.  There’s almost a fairy tale quality to it.  It’s hard to explain though.  I hope one day to make a pilgrimage with our whole family to Spruce Island.

Next, it’s baking time!  This is something that is near and dear to my heart.  I have such fond memories of helping my mom and grandmothers bake that it takes me back in time when I bake with my kids.  It’s amazing how something as simple as pouring in flour or watching mom crack an egg can become such an important childhood memory to you.

Finally, before bed, we all gathered in front of our family altar and took turns reading the Akathist to Saint Herman of Alaska from the “Book of Akathists: To Our Saviour, the Mother of God, and Various Saints” by Holy Trinity Monastery.

Fasting Spruce Tree Cookies:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1 oz of non-dairy milk or water (approximately 1/8 cup)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• green food coloring  (put in enough to turn it green)
• 1  1/2 cups flour

Mix all ingredients in a mixer EXCEPT the flour.  Add the flour last and mix until mixture starts to pull together.  Roll out using a rolling pin and cut using a Christmas tree cookie cutter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

Gluten-free Fasting Spruce Tree Cookies:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1 oz. non-dairy milk or water (approximately 1/8 cup)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• green food coloring  (put in enough to turn it green)
• 1  1/2 cups gluten-free flour mix  (use your favorite mixture but it needs to have xanthan gum in it)

Mix all ingredients in a mixer EXCEPT the flour.  Add the flour last and mix until mixture starts to pull together.  Roll out using a rolling pin and cut using a Christmas tree cookie cutter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

Icing:

• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 1  tablespoon non-dairy milk or water
• 1/2  teaspoon vanilla

Drizzle on cookies while the icing is still warm using a spoon.  Optional: after icing, decorate with sprinkles.