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Welcome to your Sunday School lesson 
Pascha Bumper Edition!


The attachments are best viewed on a laptop or tablet and some will require PowerPoint.
Some of the resources are courtesy of The Clayton Parish of The Three Hierarchs, who have kindly shared their lessons with us and given permission to pass on to our own Sunday School families.
Please feel free to send in photos of  your creations, with your first name and age and if you would be happy for us to share on social media. 
. Please remember, that even though many of these resources are just colouring pages etc, they depict Holy images, so when you have finished with them, please burn them rather than throw them into the bin.
Please note, we have notes and activities for every day of Holy Week - right up until we crack our red eggs and say Christ is Risen! Some emails may get clipped short, so just click the 'view entire message' link to see the email in its entirety. 
Palm Sunday and Lazarus Saturday lesson and craft activity
Lazarus Saturday

On the Saturday before Holy Week, the Orthodox Church commemorates a major feast of the year, the miracle of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ when he raised Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the grave four days. In triumph and joy the Church bears witness to the power of Christ over death and exalts Him as King before entering the most solemn week of the year, where we remember His suffering and death, and then celebrate the great and glorious Feast of Pascha.
This miracle is performed by Christ as a reassurance to His disciples before the coming Passion: they are to understand that, though He suffers and dies, yet He is Lord and Victor over death. The resurrection of Lazarus is a prophecy in the form of an action. It foreshadows Christ’s own Resurrection eight days later, and at the same time it anticipates the resurrection of all the righteous on the Last Day: Lazarus is “the saving first-fruits of the regeneration of the world.”
Although it is a difficult thing for children to understand, this story emphasises the two natures of Christ – the man, when He asks where Lazarus is laid and weeps for him. Then, it shows His divine power, as he raises Lazarus from the dead, even though his corpse has already begun to decompose and stink. The two natures of Christ should be kept in view throughout Holy Week, and especially on Good Friday. On the Cross we see a genuine human agony, both physical and mental, but we see more than this: we see not only suffering man but suffering God.

Read the Gospel reading here to learn about Jesus raising St Lazarus John 11:1-45

Did you know...?
  • St Lazarus became the first Bishop of Cyprus
  • The Theotokos discovered Mt Athos in a ship sent by St Lazarus to bring her and Apostle John to visit him in Cyprus. Can you find Cyprus and Mt Athos on a map?
  • After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead he was known to never smile or joke again
  • He died a second time, 30 years later
  • On his tomb it says. "Lazarus, the friend of Christ."  
Hymns of the Feast 
Apolytikion: First Tone By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your Passion, You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with palms of victory, We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of Death; Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!
Kontakion: Second Tone Christ - the Joy, the Truth, and the Light of All, the Life of the World and the Resurrection - has appeared in his goodness to those on earth. He has become the Image of our resurrection, granting divine forgiveness to all.
Troparion of Saturday of St. Lazarus, Orthros. Tone 1: O Christ God, when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before Thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to Thee, O vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
-You can listen to some of the chanting here (select hymn and audio from teh menu)   http://lent.goarch.org/saturday_of_lazarus/listen/

Click here to print out the colouring in and wordsearch

Make Lazarakia with your family! There are lots of recipes on the internet, so feel free to search for one that suits you. This one has been recommended to us http://www.orthodoxmom.com/2009/04/10/lazarakia-recipe/

The website, Orthodox Pebbles, has a lesson plan, including activities, for teaching about St Lazarus. Click here to view it
Palm Sunday 

We start Holy Week with PALM SUNDAY. Many of us know that Palm Sunday commemorates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem, while people welcomed him with shouts and praise, having heard of the miracle he performed (the raising of Lazarus). People lay down their coats and palm branches before Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. On this day we receive and worship Christ in the same manner, acknowledging Him as our King and Lord.
“Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Read the Gospel reading here to learn about Christ's entrance into Jerusalem John 12:1-18

Watch this PowerPoint presentation on Palm Sunday
 Click on the grey speaker in the right hand corner of the slide to hear the story.

Make a Palm Cross from paper at home. Here is a quick video on youtube with instructions for you: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtkmo_1AI2c

Or if you can get actual Palm Leaves, try to make a cross using this YouTube tutorial 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znDyR8_POCU

Here is a palm branch colouring page for you to print out and colour https://www.illustratedministry.com/2020/palm-frond-coloring-page/

Another Palm Branch craft to try, click here for the YouTube tutorial 

Click here to print out the icon for Palm Sunday, and as the week progresses, you can add each new icon to the timeline until we reach Pascha and celebrate our Lord's glorious Resurrection! 
Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 
Click here to print out the Bridegroom Icon to add to your icon timeline for this week.


Holy Monday 
Holy Week forms the final part of our journey to Pascha, and we should spend this week preparing ourselves for His Holy Resurrection. 

Click here to read the Gospel readings for Holy Monday 
Matthew 21:18-43

Great and Holy Monday (an excerpt from The Zacchaeus Tree)...

During this Holy Week, the Church begins to prepare us to undergo the Passion of Jesus. Today we are reminded of the promise that Jesus made to return to us a second time and of the signs to look for to signify His return. He tells us that just as you expect to see that summer is near when there are new leaves on the fig tree, so you can expect to see Him coming again when all these things he spoke of come to pass. He purposefully tells us these things, not to frighten us, but because He wants us to be prepared to welcome Him then. Jesus also tells us in today's Gospel reading that His words are true today and always so that we can always
trust completely in Him and believe what He has said. But at Matins, there is another story about a fig tree.

Matthew 21:18-20. Now in the morning, when He was
returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once? Jesus saw that the fig tree was adorned beautifully with leaves and because it appeared so lush and healthy, He expected that there should be some fruit on this tree as well. Sometimes trees, as well as people, can be strong and healthy and adorned with all sorts of attributes and beauty, but sadly, they bear no fruit. Fruit is something like a gift that the tree gives for the nourishment of others. People who are only concerned with themselves and outward appearance, but give no support or care for
others bear no spiritual fruit and are like this tree. Our Lord was not happy with the fig tree at all because it was useless! He cursed the barren tree so that it withered and died. (Remember the Pharisee cookie?) The Pharisee in that parable had on fine clothing and was filled with extensive
knowledge of the law, but he had no virtue. There was no love, understanding or compassion to be found in him. Jesus was speaking about people like that Pharisee. He was sad at the fact that His chosen people, the Jews, were extremely observant of the law, but had no virtue. Many people believe that this was what Jesus was thinking when he cursed the barren fig tree, which is a symbol of the Jewish nation.
Now we must imagine ourselves to be a fig tree in Jesus’ sight. Those who go through their whole lives adorned with beauty and exist only for themselves, but nourish no one, risk provoking the same response from Jesus and jeopardize their eternal life with Him in heaven. This reading reminds us that we must find a way to nourish others and help them grow!

  • So, how can we be a fruitful fig tree? Hint - it is a similar list to the one we make for Holy Tuesday activity!
  • Let’s brainstorm with our family and make a list today of all the ways each of us can be fruitful in our own homes.
  • What sort of things do you need to nourish your spirit and help you grow closer to Christ? How can we provide these for each other?

Activity: What is a prostration? Do your cross and a prostration every time you see a + in the prayer of St Ephraim:

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of idleness, meddling, love of power and idle talk. +

But grant me your servant, a spirit of soberness, humility and love. +

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not condemn my brother. +

For blessed are you, to the ages or ages. Amen


You can find this prayer in most Orthodox Prayer books, or google Lenten Prayer of St Ephraim to find a beautifully presented version for printing.

Holy Tuesday

Read today's Gospel reading here Matthew 24:36-51; 25:1-46; 26:1-2 and  Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39

Discuss with your child what ways we can prepare ourselves for Christ's resurrection. Consider options such as
  • Praying, remember when praying to give thanks to God for all His blessings (what are some blessings that you can think of?), and also pray for other people, not just ourselves
  • Fasting (even if you cannot fast from meat and dairy, perhaps you can think about giving up certain treats this week, or watching less TV?)
  • Reading the Bible and lives of Saints 
  • Being kind to others
  • Helping someone in the family, before they ask for help
  •  'Attending church' - this can be done through live streaming on YouTube
What other things can we do to prepare ourselves? Print the following image and have your child draw or write  ways they will fill their spiritual lamp during Holy Week (and after!)



There is a very special hymn chanted on Holy Tuesday, search in YouTube for Holy Tuesday hymn of St Kassiani to listen to it in Greek or English. 

Read about the history of the hymn here

This week we cannot physically go to church, but many of us are creating our own church at home. What senses do we use when we go to church? Think about bringing those senses to our home church.
Remember to have a washed, clean face, your church books (if you have them), burn some incense and have an icon next to wherever you are watching your live stream. 
Holy Wednesday

Read the Gospel readings here Matthew 26:6-16 and  John 12:17-50

On Holy Wednesday, we have, as part of our evening service the Holy Unction service. During this time, the Priest blessing the oil, to make it a healing oil. You may have some blessed oil at home. During the service, when you watch it at home, bless each other with the holy oil, by doing a cross on your forehead, and say a prayer for good health.

Find the part in the gospel reading where the woman anoints Christ's head with myrrh. Where was Christ and the disciples when this happened? Have you noticed that throughout the Gospels, Christ is often shown to have visited the sick or poor -not the noble in rank or leaders of the village?  This shows us how much He loves us all and will always visit us in our hour of need. 

You can find many prayers for healing in your prayer books at home, or you can click here to find some online 
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday 

Read the Gospel reading for today here 
In Luke 22:1-39 we read about the Mystical Supper, also called the Last Supper, Judas' betrayal as well as the establishment of the eucharist, when Christ declares bread and wine as His Body and Blood.
 
In Matthew 26:1-20; John 13:3-17; Matthew 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-44; Matthew 26:40-75; 27:1-2 we read about Christ washing the feet of His disciples. Why do you think he does this? He does this to remind us to do things for each other out of love. 

Activity: Look at the icon above of the Last Supper. Can you see Judas? What does he not have in this icon that the other Disciples do have? Do you have this icon in your home? 
Craft Activity:
This is another shared lesson from The Three Hierarchs parish. Remember to send in photos of your creations, with your first name and age and if you would be happy for us to share on social media. 

To complete this week's lesson:
- Download both PowerPoints  (Holy Week Part 1 and Holy Week Part 2 links below) and listen to the story by clicking the grey speaker icon in the right hand corner of each slide
- Colour in the icons on the Holy Thursday worksheet
- Your craft activity this week is to create a 3D version of the Last Supper:
 
To make this:
  1. Print the templates (linked below)
  2. Color the templates.
  3. Cut out the templates.
  4. Take the table template and fold along the dotted lines. Add glue to the side tabs and form the table.
  5. Next glue the disciples on the bench to one side of the table.
  6. On the other side of the table glue on the group with two disciples to the right of the table.
  7. Then glue on the Jesus group to the left of the two disciples you previously glued on.
  8. Finally glue on the last disciple holding the bowl of soup.
 
Please click here for the Holy Thursday worksheet

Please click here for The Last Supper Craft activity

Please click here to download Part 1 of Holy Week PowerPoint presentation

Please click here to download Part 2 of Holy Week PowerPoint presentation

The Crucifixion of Christ
After the washing of feet at the Mystical Supper, we hear in the Gospel readings (there are 12 read at tonight's service) the arrest and crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. During the evening service as Christ is crucified, a very special, and solemn hymn is chanted. Listen to it here in English and listen to it here in Greek. As you watch the live stream you will see the lights are turned off for this part of the service, and only dim candle light will light the church. At home, kneel down for the procession (symbolizing Christ carrying His cross to the site of crucifixion). Turn all the lights off at home, and listen for the special chant.  Normally during the service, we would lay flowers at the cross. You can pick some flowers or basil leaves from your garden and put them near your icons at this point of the service.

Gospel Readings
At tonight's service, the Priest will read 12 different passages, which can be found here.

Click here to print out a 12 candle colouring sheet. Each time a passage is read, you can colour in another candle - which Gospel reading does Christ get crucified? Perhaps that one could be coloured differently? You could also pre-colour and cut out, and after each gospel, you could put them in front of the screen where you are watching, as if you have lit a candle with each Gospel reading. 
Holy Friday
Holy Friday is a very Holy day, as it is the day Christ dies for us on His cross.
On this day we take extra care to be kind to each other and pray. 

Remember the two thieves that died on their own crosses? You can read about them in Luke 23:32-49. One thief mocks Christ and the other repents of his sins and asks Christ to take him to His kingdom also. Listen out for the words on Thursday night "Lord, remember me when you come in your kingdom". This is what we should pray to Christ for ourselves!
On Holy Friday, we normally do a procession around the church, as we chant special Holy Friday night hymns. You can hear them here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98YlYFKDz98
Although it is a very solemn, sad day, by the end of the service we start to look forward to Christ's resurrection. 

If you are looking for an activity, you may like to create this craft. Click here to download the instructions
 
On this day, we avoid watching lots of TV, so you may like to listen to some chanting while you complete some activity sheets related to Lent and Pascha. 

Here is a colouring book which includes Holy Week Icons

Here is another activity book with wordsearch and colouring pages

Another colouring page

Or you can make these crosses 
Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday morning, we will live stream the Liturgy, and during the service you will see the Priest throw bay leaves around the church. If you have a bay leaf tree you may like to pick some to have in your home for this service. If you don't have a bay leaf tree, any leaves will do!
The leaves signify life, as Christ enters Hades, and tramples down death by death. You may like to bang saucepan lids, drums - whatever noisy things you have! The noise signifies Christ breaking the gates into Hades. 

On this day, you should also dye your red eggs and prepare a feast for your whole family to enjoy to celebrate Christ's resurrection! Decorate the house, or table where you will enjoy your feast, in red and white.  
Read about St Magdelene and the miracle of the red egg here and colour in the pictures. 
Some emails may be clipped short, so click below to keep reading about the Resurrection of Christ!
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
We begin this service just before midnight. Just before the resurrection, the lights are all turned off and the Priest will come out holding the light, representing Christ's resurrection saying, "come receive the light from teh unwaning light, and glorify Christ, Who has risen from the dead"

When this happens, you should all light your candles in celebration! To light your candle, let one person light theirs first and then pass the light to one another, as we would do in church. 

After this, we will read the Gospel reading Mark 16:1-8 and sing Christos Anesti! 

Print off this sheet to sing the hymn in Greek and English

At the end of the Liturgy, the Priest reads the Catechetical Homily of St John the Chrystostom. During this homily, remember to hold your candles up and respond where needed with It was embittered and He is risen. You can read the homily here https://pemptousia.com/2019/04/paschal-catechetical-homily-of-st-john-chrysostom/

After the service, enjoy breaking the fast with a Paschal feast, and cracking your red eggs!
 
Χριστός Ανέστη! Christ is Risen!
Some other resources to use this week:

This resource was put together by the Nuns at the Monastery of Christ the Bridegroom, in Ohio, USA. It is a guide for families to use during Holy Week in the 'Domestic Church' 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v0MCpB80hOgP-U9lHVmTGpL-V7EOetjt/view

Click here to do a Holy Week Chart
http://jouneytojosie.blogspot.com/2011/04/holy-week-lessons.html

Holy Week detailed resources from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
https://www.goarch.org/lent

 
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St Haralambos Church · 190 Porter St · Templestowe, Vic 3106 · Australia

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