Every great character needs a voice that makes her feel real, joyful, curious, and full of heart. For Orthodoxy for Kids, that voice belongs to Zoey, the talented young girl who brings Sophia and her voice to life.
In a sweet and fun interview with her mother, Monci Hoadrea, Zoey shared what it has been like to step into the role of Sophia and help bring this faith-filled vision to children and families.
When asked how she has enjoyed working on the Sophia project, Zoey said, “I’ve really enjoyed it. It is really fun to do. Once you get into it, you mostly feel that you’re actually the character.”
And that is exactly what makes Zoey’s performance so special. She does not just read Sophia’s lines. She feels them. She understands Sophia’s curiosity, her kindness, and her desire to learn more about God.
So who is Sophia?
As Zoey beautifully explained, “Sophia is a little girl that wants to learn about God and make the world a better place with God in her life.”
That simple description captures the heart of Orthodoxy for Kids. Sophia is a child who is learning, wondering, praying, exploring, and growing in her Orthodox faith. She is a character children can relate to because, like many young Orthodox kids, she is curious and eager to understand the beauty of faith in everyday life.
Zoey also sees a little bit of herself in Sophia.
“We’re both girls who are curious and who love to learn about Jesus and the Orthodox faith,” she shared.
One of Zoey’s favorite parts of the Christmas video is when Sophia is at the stable meeting the animals. And one of her favorite lines to record? With a laugh, she remembered Sophia saying, “Ooh, I’m afraid of bees.” Those fun little moments help give Sophia personality, humor, and the kind of charm that makes children want to keep watching.
Of course, voice acting is not always easy, but Zoey said it felt natural once she got comfortable.
“It’s actually really fun. Not scary at all,” she said. “You get comfortable with it.”
That confidence and joy come through in Sophia’s voice, and it is clear that Zoey has brought something truly special to the project.
The interview also gave Zoey a chance to share what she hopes other children can learn from Sophia’s story. Her answer was simple and meaningful: kids can learn that it is good to follow God, take time to pray, and discover more about their faith, including what happens at a monastery.
Zoey also shared why stories about faith matter. For her, it is about taking time for God and listening to Him, even for a moment.
When she is not recording, Zoey enjoys spending time with her brother, who she described as “very, very, very, very funny — a million times funny.” Together, they play Minecraft, wrestle, build with Legos, craft, and dance with their family. That playful spirit is part of what makes Zoey such a wonderful fit for Sophia. She brings the joy, imagination, and real-life energy of childhood into the character.
With summer break here, Monci asked Zoey what Sophia might be doing over the summer. Zoey imagined Sophia visiting her grandparents, going on vacation, seeing family members, visiting new churches, making friends, and still praying every day.
That answer perfectly reflects the mission of Orthodoxy for Kids: helping children understand that faith does not pause when school ends. Faith can travel with us to the beach, to camp, to church, to family visits, and into every part of summer.
Zoey shared that kids can keep their faith during summer break by praying every day for family and friends, going to Vacation Church School, attending camp at St. Nicholas Ranch, continuing to go to church on Sundays, and being kind to everyone they meet.
When asked how she can live her Orthodox faith during summer break, Zoey said, “I can be kind, help my family, pray, and try to remember loving God and trusting in Him.”
That is the beautiful message Sophia carries, too.
As summer eventually turns toward back-to-school season, Zoey said Sophia would remind kids to be brave, make good choices, and remember to pray before school. It is a message full of encouragement for young students as they return to classrooms, routines, and new beginnings.
We are so grateful to Monci Hoera and Zoey Hoda for the amazing talent, love, and heart they have brought to the Sophia project. Their voices, creativity, and faith have helped bring the Orthodoxy for Kids vision to life in such a meaningful way.
And there is more exciting news to share!
This summer, Orthodoxy for Kids will be working on producing the first Sophia coloring book for a “Back to Sunday School” kit sponsored by The Pittsburgh Foundation. Families can check our website, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and follow us on social media for details on how to get copies and learn about the release date.
Sophia’s journey is just beginning, and thanks to wonderful talents like Monci and Zoey, children everywhere will have a joyful new way to learn, grow, pray, and discover the beauty of the Orthodox faith.