Nourishing Souls - Form II Recitation & Copywork

2025-2026 Recitation & Copywork

Note that, as with all resources provided here, it is not necessary to do everything recommended. If your family already has recitation pieces planned (poetry, speeches, lines from Shakespeare, etc.), perhaps you will only use one of the recommended quotations below in a school year. In that case, each year of work we provide can last you for three years. Doing work consistently is more important that trying to fit in all the things.

Term 1:

We are praying for you;

And do you, according to your strength, acquire humility and submission.

Do not insist on any occasion that it should be done according to your will, for from this anger is born; do not judge and do not belittle anyone, because from this the heart grows faint and the mind is blinded, and from this negligence appears and unfeelingness of heart is born.

Keep ceaseless vigil, learning in the law of God, for through this the heart is warmed by heavenly fire; do not be despondent and do not weaken. God does not demand of you what is beyond your strength, but demands labor to the extent possible.

(St. Sergius of Radonezh)

Term 2:

The parents of the Holy Virgin

Lead her to the holy Temple,

And according to their promise

They give her to the Lord.

They lead the Temple to the Temple,

While angels chant,

And chant with joy

To the young Virgin in purest attire.

“Hymn of Praise” from the Prologue of Ochrid for November 21, The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple

Term 3:

Thus spoke the Lord Most-high:

"From your heart, Virgin pure,

Living water will flow,

That those who thirst will drink Christ."

Life-bearing source,

We all boast of you!

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Those who thirst will drink Christ.

By Him, the bitter is sweetened;

By Him, the scales are washed from blind eyes;

And by Him, the grief of those in sorrow is healed.

Life-bearing source,

We all boast of you!

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From the Prologue of Ochrid, entry for August 15, the Dormition of the Mother of God

Sweet drink sprung from eternity,

Our arid age, the brook filling:

Once more toward heaven raised,

Our exhausted world becomes refreshed.

Life-bearing source,

We all boast of you!

------------

Glory to You, O Most-pure One!

Glory to You, O Mother of God!

For us the Living Christ You did bear,

The living water of grace!

Life-bearing source

We all boast of you!

A printable document of all 2025-26 Recitation pieces may be accessed here.

2024-2025 Recitation & Copywork

Term 1:

If you want to serve God,

Prepare your heart

Not for food,

Not for drink,

Not for rest,

Not for ease,

But for suffering,

So that you may endure

All temptations, trouble and sorrow.

For by many afflictions

Is it appointed to us

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven is taken by force!

St. Sergius of Radonezh

Term 2:

Traditional Song for St. Nicholas

O who loves Nicholas the saintly,

O who serves Nicholas the saintly,

Him will Nicholas receive,

And give help in time of need:

Holy Father Nicholas!

He who dwells in God's holy mansions,

Is our help on the land and oceans,

He will guard us from all ills,

Keep us pure and free from sins

Holy Father Nicholas!

Holy Saint, hearken to our prayer,

Let not life drive us to despair,

All our efforts shall not wane,

Singing praises to your name:

Holy Father Nicholas!

Term 3:

Serbian Orthodox Christian Folk Song by St. Nicholai of Zhica

Speak Lord, your servant is listening

His soul thirsts only for you

The servant is powerless to see or hear

Unless your spirit flows in him.

CHORUS: Help my vision, help my hearing

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Help my vision, help my hearing

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Speak Lord, before this road ends.

So my soul won’t get lost.

Speak to me quietly, but let it be clear.

Speak to me All-merciful, before it’s too late.

CHORUS

I know you have spoken, but speak again.

Speak until my heart starts to burn.

Until my vision opens and hearing gets stronger.

Speak Father, comfort Your servant.

CHORUS

Access a printable document here.

Nourishing Souls is a project of the Eastern Orthodox Charlotte Mason Curriculum Committee. To ask questions or volunteer to help with the project, please find us at orthodoxnourishingsouls@gmail.com.

*Please note that the inclusion of a book on any of our lists is not necessarily a widespread recommendation to read all of works of the author of that book, nor is it in any way a message of support for that author's public or private opinions.