Monastery Soup for the Feast of St. Anthony the Great On January 17th, we celebrate St. Anthony the Great! Honor his feast day with this simple, hearty monastery-style soup, perfect for a cozy dinner paired with candlelight and crusty bread. Lighting a candle transforms an ordinary meal into a special celebration! While enjoying your meal, listen to the Life of St. Anthony on the Patristic Nectar App (find it under the synaxarion for the day). Afterward, spark a meaningful family discussion about what stood out in his inspiring life. Recipe: 3 tablespoons oil of choice 1 cup barley 1 carrot, finely grated 2 leeks, sliced 1 bay leaf 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced Salt to taste 7 cups water or vegetable broth Directions: Heat the oil in a soup pot and toast the barley, stirring continuously for 1 minute. Add the carrot, leeks, bay leaf, parsley, salt, and 7 cups of water. Cook over low to medium heat, covered, for 40–45 minutes, until the barley is tender. Add more water if needed. For extra flavor, add bouillon and mushrooms during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaf and serve hot. Additional Resources: Listen to Life of St. Anthony on Patristic Nectar App: Patristic Nectar Synaxarion: https://app.patristicnectar.org/discover/synaxarion?date=2025-01-17 St. Anthony for Kids Blog Post: Ascetic Life of Motherhood Blog: https://www.asceticlifeofmotherhood.com/blog/stanthonythegreat Icon: Uncut Mountain Supply: https://www.uncutmountainsupply.com/icons/of-saints/by-name/a/st-anthony-the-great-20th-c-1an53/ Book - Life of St. Anthony by St. Athanasius: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Anthony-Athanasius/dp/1631740318 Audiobook: Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Life-of-St-Anthony-of-Egypt-Audiobook/B07TS9HRK6?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp Celebrate the life of St. Anthony with this nourishing meal and a deeper connection to his story!