St. Athanasius
OBJECTIVE
This module aims to educate the students on the lives and stories of the Church Fathers to help them develop fundamental knowledge of Church history. Also, the students should be able to identify how these Fathers developed a strong relationship with God, which aided them in trials and tribulations when defending the Orthodox Faith.
The children will learn about the life of St. Athanasius and how he defended the Orthodox Faith at the council of Nicea.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes
Please review the previous week's lesson. (5 minutes).
Show the students icons of different popes/saints and have them try to point out who St. Athanasius is. Ask them to list any facts that they know about him and to point out the different items that he is holding in the icon and their importance (i.e. the scroll in his hand which represents the accepted rights and the creed, the people in the back are the bishops that attended the council).
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
Memory Verse
"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes
St. Athanasius was born to pagan (not Christian) parents around the year 295 - 298 A.D. When he was in school, he saw some Christian children acting out Christian rituals; some acted as priests, some as deacons, and one of them as a bishop. He asked their permission to participate with them, but they refused to say, "You are pagan, and you are not allowed to mix with us." He answered them, "I am from now on a Christian." They rejoiced with him, they made him a patriarch over them in the play, they enthroned him on a high place, and they offered him honor and respect. At that time Pope Alexandros passed by, when he saw them, he said to those who were with him about Athanasius, "This child would be in a great position one day."
When Athanasius' father died, his mother brought him to Pope Alexandros, who taught them about the Christian faith and baptized them. They gave their money to the poor, and stayed with the Pope, who taught Athanasius the church subjects, and ordained him deacon and made him a personal secretary. The gifts of the Holy Spirit increased in him. He was chosen Patriarch after the departure of Pope Alexandros.
Pope Alexandros had recommended Athanasius, his deacon, for the Papacy, who lived with St. Antony, the Father of the Monks, and followed his example in asceticism.
At the council of Nicaea, St. Athanasius fought against Arianism, which was a heresy (something against our faith) formed by a man named Arius. St. Athanasius claimed that the Son (The Lord Jesus Christ) is one in essence with the Father. There at the council, many of the church fathers helped St. Athanasius write the Creed, which we say in church during every liturgy.
St. Athanasius hid himself in the mountains, after the departure of Pope Alexandros for he believed that he was unworthy to take this serious and important position. The people sought him until they found him, and brought him to the bishops, and was ordained as the 20th Pope in 328 A.D.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes
Ask students what characteristics about St. Athanasius stood out to them and what they can learn from him. Discuss the importance of the church fathers in general.
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
Memorize the Orthodox Creed. Only do the first three sentences with them.
ACTIVITY - 15 Minutes
Orthodox Creed Craft Materials:
- Construction paper
- Pencil
- Marker
- glue
Trace one hand of the children or have them cut out one on the sheet provided. Bend all fingers down and glue them except for the index finger. Let them write "We believe in one God" on the palm of the traced hand.
SERVANT RESOURCES
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
The parents should try to teach their children the Orthodox Creed.