Start a spiritually beneficial habit today with our Orthodox Commonplace Book System

Orthodox Commonplace Book layout example

Our OCB System has everything you and your family need to start a lifelong habit of creating specialized notebooks called Orthodox Commonplace Books (OCBs).

Inspired by Fr. Seraphim Rose, an OCB is filled and decorated with personally selected quotes, reflections, book reviews, poetry and beautiful illustrations (or stickers) that speak directly to your heart from your spiritual reading, Holy Scriptures, sermons, our Study Journals, and Divine Services.

“Do  you have a notebook for taking down quotes from Holy Fathers in your reading? Do you always have a book of Holy Fathers that you are reading, and can turn to in a moment of gloom? Start now - this is essential.”

~Fr. Seraphim Rose to Fr. Alexei Young in Letters from Fr. Seraphim, pg. 143

Orthodox Commonplace Book layout idea Pentecost

com·mon·place book (noun)

/ˈkämənˌplās ˌbo͝ok/ plural noun: commonplace books

A book in which noteworthy quotations, passages, poems, comments, reflections, speeches etc., are written. It can also include the individual's own thoughts, reflections, and insights, such as annotations, commentary, and connections.

“We should hunt out the helpful pieces of teaching and the spirited and noble-minded sayings which are capable of immediate practical application–not far far-fetched or archaic expressions or extravagant metaphors and figures of speech–and learn them so well that words become works.”

~Seneca

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The habit of keeping an OCB has many benefits…

  • Do you feel disheartened when you can’t recall a powerful sermon, profound passage, or a simple lesson from your Orthodox Christian studies when you need it most? We do too. That is why we love having an OCB as a personal crafted reference tool.

  • An OCB is “not another workbook”. It is something deeply personal that you create based on what speaks your mind and heart when learning about your Orthodox Christian faith. Keeping an OCB is something you want to do and enjoy consistently doing.

  • Whether you start as a middle schooler or high schooler or as an adult, keeping an OCB is a habit that cultivates a growth mindset of lifelong learning to help you learn the practice of being attentive towards your Orthodox Christian faith.

  • Crafting personal OCBs as a family is an activity that puts your Orthodox Christian faith in practice. The OCB can help bridge discussions with your older children as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

  • We need more screen-free quality activities. Many of us read, but OCBs help us take what we read and go a step further. Creating an OCB can be as simple as grabbing a beloved book and copying quotes and reflecting.

BUT getting started with a new habit is the hardest part….

Not with our OCB System

Our OCB System includes everything you need to get started.

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How our OCB System works

  • Our a la carte setup serves both beginners and returning customers to make the most of their OCB System.

    To simplify setup for first time OCB customers, we include a downloadable shopping list of everything you need to get started to get your OCB system setup.

    For returning customers, easily re-fill your system as needed.

  • Get started OCB-ing with your own spiritual reading with all of the items from our OCB Essentials.

    OCB Box+ Includes:

    • Notebook: For tracking quotes and passages from your spiritual literature.

    • Glue Tape: Start creating your OCB layouts immediately.

    • Labelled Box: For shipping and neatly storing all your OCB items.

    Customizable OCB:

    A 5.4 x 8.4 notebook with a gold foiled linen cardstock cover and 24lb white paper. Choose your color and design to fit your needs.

    OCB Guide Book+ (Digital Download):

    Avoid blank page paralysis with our digital Guide Book which offers tips, project ideas, and prompts for both minimal and elaborate OCB styles. Plus, get digital decor paper to print from home to add various creative options to your OCB layouts.

    OCB Essentials Sticker Pack

    We recommend the 3 sticker sheets in this pack that are referenced in our digital Guide Book: Washi 1, Arrows & Brackets, and Borders. These embellishment stickers help you with making your layouts feel complete.

  • Everything you need to dive deeper with our Great Feast Journals and develop your OCB-ing skills further.

    If you are just getting started with your OCB System, we highly recommend at least one set of Great Feast Essentials.

    Great Feast Guide+ (Digital Download):

    Our digital Great Feast Guides takes your OCB experience to the next level. It’s the perfect companion to our Study Journals, offering several layout options. In addition, there is a file for additional digital decor paper and pre-selected quotes for your layouts.

    Great Feast Sticker Pack:

    Each feast sticker pack comes with three sticker sheets—like Pentecost 1, 2, and 3—referenced in the corresponding digital Great Feast Guide.

    Great Feast Study Journal:

    The Study Journal for your selected feast is the final piece of the Great Feast Essentials. It’s referenced in the digital guides and completes your Great Feast Essentials.

  • Do you love stickers? Want more options to customize your OCB layouts?

    Then consider adding our decorative stickers sheets such as Floral 1, Greenery 1, Saints 1, Forest Floor, Succulents....and so much more. We are always adding more sticker sheets so check back regularly.

But, you may ask, what age kids are these kits for? Keep scrolling for FAQs!

OCB Kit Frequently Asked Questions

  • Orthodox Commonplace Book

    This idea was inspired by Fr. Seraphim Rose:

    “Do  you have a notebook for taking down quotes from Holy Fathers in your reading? Do you always have a book of Holy Fathers that you are reading, and can turn to in a moment of gloom? Start now - this is essential.”

    ~Fr. Seraphim Rose to Fr. Alexei Young in Letters from Fr. Seraphim, pg. 143

    Definition of Commonplace Book:

    A book in which noteworthy quotations, passages, poems, comments, reflections, speeches etc., are written. It can also include the individual's own thoughts, reflections, and insights, such as annotations, commentary, and connections.

  • These kits are designed with middle and high schoolers in mind as well as adults and parents who want to start this habit. Middle school-aged children may benefit from guidance and support from a parent or older sibling. Adults will find the process of keeping an OCB very beneficial. We even recommend parents get their own kit to try this habit out themselves. It is edifying!

    All Guides and the Guide Book are written at a middle school level and encourage an independent ownership of this habit.

    Our stickers can be a bit tricky to peel, so small hands may struggle. We do include hacks and ideas to make stickers more usable for small hands in the back of the Guide Book in the Kit. Buying sticker sheets individually is a geat way to include younger kids in this habit, though they will need support.

  • No. They are for dry use only. Our stickers are printed on matte clear sticker paper in order to easily blend into your layouts.

  • No. They are illustrations intended for educational purposes to help with learning abut the Orthodox Christian Faith. The stickers are an extension of our Study Journals: illustrations created to help visual learners and create beauty in our personal OCBs.

  • They are highly recommended and will streamline your experience. We want to say, yes, they are required; however, you can navigate without them with extra research and resources. It just is not the same experience we set up; however, we also want the OCB System to be adaptable to your needs too.

    Our digital Great Feast OCB Guides refer to specific page numbers in the Study Journals. Working with the Study Journal with the digital Guide help you dig deeply into spiritual literature to learn what to add to your OCB and learn to make it your own. It is also a great way to further engage with our Study Journals which have so much content to absorb. We sell both physical and digital Study Journals.

  • We recommend you provide:

Not quite ready? Keep scrolling!