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For all you creative folks out there, consider putting your talents to use to create a Holy Week Scrapbook for your family or parish. Fill it with fun icons, Scripture verses, symbols, various languages, or photos as the week progresses. Use this as a learning tool, or a memory keepsake for 2014.. Here are a few suggested "call outs" to use with the icons: Entry into Jerusalem: Can you find Zaccheus? Why is Christ seated side-ways on the donkey? Did you know in colder countries the faithful use pussy willows instead of palm branches? Washing the Disciples' Feet: How many disciples were present? Who asks Jesus to wash his whole body? What is so special about feet? Mystical Supper: Can you find St John resting on the bosom of Christ? How about Judas? He's usually the only one reaching for the food and is shown in profile, which signifies his two-faced betrayal. Christ on the Cross: What were the last words of our Lord? Can you find the blood and the water that spilled ...

This is a favorite project of ours for Sunday of Orthodoxy during Great Lent. It is particularly relevant, as many parishes join together, across canonical jurisdictions, to co-celebrate the Divine Liturgy, sometimes in many languages. As a global Orthodox project, I recorded fellow classmates from an Orthodox seminary chanting "Lord Have Mercy" in their native languages. With a large map, I ask the children to identify the country of origin and language for each track... together we try to learn 10 new languages! You can also quiz them with the handout, to see if they can match up the language with the countries. Also Click here for an International Vespers Service (Swahili) Bwana Hurumia (Albanian) Meshiro o Zot (Arabic) Yarrub Burham (Kenyan) Mwanthani Igua Tha (Greek) Kurie Eleison (Slavonic/Russian) Ghospodi Pomiliu (Spanish) Senor Ten Piedad  (Romanian) Doam Neme Lueshte (German) Herr, erbarme dich (English) Lord have mercy

One small way of making the Sacrament of Confession real for kids, is by having them feel the weight of our own sinfulness! (This was tested on teens and proved to be powerful). Without giving away the punchline, ask your kids to pair up (girls with girls, boys with boys)having one hold the other in a piggy-back fashion. Read out loud together a spiritual text on Confession or story from a Saint's life for approx. 5-10 minutes. Check in often with the child bearing the weight- ask him/her how they're feeling....how much longer do they think they can go on.... is the weight getting lighter or heavier as they get tired? (For younger children, use a backpack and heavy items that are labeled with example sins. Discuss each sin as it is placed inside) Finally, read out loud the "Prayer of Absolution" that the priest reads at the end of the Sacrament of Confession, and allow the kids to take their seats... thus releasing their burden . Introduce the idea that the weight we...

Learning to Count: The Orthodox Numbers For children learning to count, or even teens who need a good challenge, this activity opens our eyes to the many ways our Lord sanctifies numbers. This idea was inspired by an Orthodox Saint who during his martyrdom, brought to mind something holy for each horrible act against him. While they cut off each toe or finger, he praised God according to the number, finding a way to glorify our Creator. Can anyone help me remember this Saint's name? Here's how the activity works: Begin by explaining that as the adult or leader, you will call one number at a time, and ask for your children/teens to respond with a correlating event from the Bible, a Saints life, or element from our faith. You can go in order, or be more spontaneous. However, don't move on until your group has thought of everything it can for that number! Here are a few examples... 1 - One God, One Church, One Faith, One Messiah, One leper healed who thanked God, Prayers of...

Below are 3 recordings of the Blessed Elder, Paisios of Mt. Athos, with English subtitles. It is the actual voice of this Saint. Elder Paisios - recording in his cell part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkV9r2vuMr8&feature=related Elder Paisios - recording in his cell part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vJRVPzn6R0&NR=1 Elder Paisios - recording in his cell part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-a9i8ZmS8o&feature=related

Here is another resource on: Baptism Eucharist or Communion  Chrismation Ordination Marriage Confession Unction http://orthodoxsundayschoolresources.tumblr.com/