In yesterday's photographic session, Mary's mother-in-law, Carol Halkias, volunteered to be photographed. She was a quietly peaceful soul, but her eyes exuded quiet, almost electric energy. Placing her in the center of a quiet garden seemed deeply appropriate; she seemed like the kind of person who was like a mountain spring--providing refreshment and energy to those around her by her presence.

Carol Halkias

The session continued with the Livanos ladies. The four girls trailed after their mother, shaking my hands in turn. I learned that they were four of seven--all children named after saints from all around the world. Dianthe, their mother, spoke of how important the faith was to their family; they celebrated the feast days of their saints in lieu of their birthdays, and emphasized how the stories of their saints connected them with a global Christianity, not one that's just based in ethnicity or family.

Top row (left to right): Estolia (St. Estolia), Kassiani (St. Kassiani)
Bottom row (left to right): Polina (St. Apollinaria), Mariam (The Thetokos), Dianthe (The Theotokos / Flower of God).

To me, this family portrait emphasizes among the best that is in Christianity.