“For this holy House,
Church & Divine Liturgy
The church is a holy place; the House of God. The Divine Liturgy is the main religious service of the Orthodox Church. Going to church allows us to participate in the miracle of the Divine Liturgy, when the heavenly come down to earth and the earthly go toward Heaven.
Saints & Church Feasts
Church Feasts are based on events in the lives of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the saints, and sacred moments in the life of the church. They serve as a model of Christian life. When we participate in these Feast days, we receive the same blessing as did those who lived at Christ’s time. (The Gregorian calendar is used here; according to the Julian calendar, the fixed Feast days are celebrated 13 days later.)
Lessons
The Censer
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the reason a censer is used and what it symbolizes.
Let’s Go To Church
Lesson objective:
To have children understand some of the things we do when we go to church.
The Divine Liturgy
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the sequence of events during the Divine Liturgy, as well as be aware that the consecration is the most important part.
Priest Vestments
Lesson objective:
To have children understand what the different components of the Priest’s vestments are.
Acolytes – Altar Boys
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of an altar boy – acolyte.
The Church Building
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with the different shapes and parts of our church.
Saint Parascheva
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with Saint Parascheva and her life.
Ss Archangels Michael and Gabriel
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with Ss Archangels Michael and Gabriel and their role in the Church.
Saint Andrew the Apostle
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with Saint Andrew and his life.
Three Hierarchs
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with the lives of the Three Hierarchs: St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian.
The Annunciation
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the celebration of The Annunciation of the Mother of God. Explain to them that not only is it important that God showed Mary His path, but also that she accepted to follow it.
Saint Demetrios
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with St. Demetrios and his life.
Lazarus Saturday
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and how it prepares us for the Resurrection of our Lord.
Palm Sunday
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the celebration of Palm Sunday. Explain to them that this is the end of the Lenten period and the beginning of Holy Week.
Holy and Great Week
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the meaning of the services during Holy Week.
Pascha
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the meaning of Pascha (Easter), the most important Feast of the year.
The Ascension of Christ
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the importance of the Ascension of Christ.
Pentecost
Lesson objective:
To have children understand the importance of Pentecost in the Orthodox Church.
Presentation of our Lord in the Temple
Lesson objective:
To have children become familiar with
this very important day, and understand that we are like Jesus and follow in His path.