Marilyn Rouvelas is an author of several books for children. She is the co-author, with Father John Chryssavgis, of the upcoming Wisdom Tales book Saint Anthony the Great (available December 2015). The book is an inspiring biography for children of an important figure (ca. 251–356) in early Christian history.
Ms. Rouvelas has co-written, with Jeanette Aydlette, a number of books in a series published by Holy Cross Orthodox Press called The Silent Way: A Series about Passions and Stillness. The first two books, Peter Clashes with Anger (2012) and Eleni Looks at Jealousy (2012), and an upcoming third book, The Truth about Lying, are aimed at helping children understand when their feelings get out-of-control (“passions”) and the power of being quiet and still to calm themselves.
The Silent Way books convey a universal wisdom about silence and self-conrol that many faiths emphasize and value.
As a young girl in Spokane, Washington, Marilyn loved riding her bike along the river near her home. A favorite spot was at the top of a hill where she stopped to listen to the rushing water, enjoy the sunshine, and feel grateful for such beautiful gifts. Sometimes she climbed one of the apple trees in her backyard, and would sit quietly, feeling safe in the stillness. As an adult, she converted to the Greek Orthodox faith after marrying a Greek-American, and discovered a long tradition of stillness and its benefits.
Books have always been Marilyn’s cherished friends, although she never aspired to be a writer. However, she eventually wrote a book, A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America (Attica Press, 1993) for non-Greek adults who marry Greek Orthodox people in order to help them understand the faith and culture. This led to reviewing and editing for others who were writing on similar topics.
When Marilyn met Father Deacon John Chryssavgis in 2008, he handed her his newly published second edition of In the Heart of the Desert (World Wisdom, 2008), which explains the traditions of the Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers in being still and controling emotions. The book deepened her interest in the tradition of being quiet. In addition, a collaboration grew from their meeting, which has resulted in their co-authoring the book. On this subject, Marilyn says that it was “an honor to be asked by Father John, a renowned expert in the subject, to be a co-author of Saint Antony the Great.”
As a mother of two grown children and a grandmother of four children under the age of twelve, Marilyn has enjoyed including her grandchildren in the writing of her books. She says that “they are the best editors because they are honest about how children really feel, what they like, and what they don’t like.” Their opinions are greeted with respect and love.
Marilyn lives with her husband, Emanuel Rouvelas, in Arlington, Virginia, across the river from Washington DC and the Lincoln Memorial.
You can read more about The Silent Way books through this link,
and find out about A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America here. |