The Bread of Orphans Summary and Analysis

Michael Chacour began to realize that Elias, at age twelve, preeminently, was more spiritually oriented than the other children. Accordingly, when the Church Bishop visited, he requested assistance in locating a school for his youngest son. The Bishop suggested an orphanage in Haifa, located close to the Bishop himself, who would be able to oversee his education. And so, it was decided that Elias would enter the orphanage, with the admonition from Michael that he was not going in order to be someone of privilege with a superior education. He was being sent so that he might become a servant of God and then work toward the reconciliation of enemies.

At the orphanage, Elias was immersed in Biblical study but found himself longing for the more emotional side of religion and the solitude he enjoyed...