Angels and the Liturgy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is for students to learn the ranks of the angels, the job of the angels and to understand and relate to their presence in the liturgical services.

HOOK/INTRODUCTION - 10 Minutes

The servant starts the class by giving heads up to the kids that she/he has a guest that is in her/his house who will be attending the class with them. (for the guest character the servant can choose from the following:

  • Another servant to play the role
  • A doll
  • sock puppet
  • Create your own guest (see pictures below arranged from basic/easy to fancier/more creative)

The servant then goes through the skit (see in the "resource" section below)

After the skit, the servant introduces the lesson.

  • Angels are part of the heavenly hosts serving God and the creation.
  • They are souls of light that are holy and powerful.
  • There are angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, powers, principalities, cherubim, and seraphim.
  • Can you name the 7 archangels? We mention them during vespers.
    • Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Soriel, Sadakiel, Sarathiel, and Ananiel
  • Can you describe the Cherubim and the Seraphim?

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

"The Angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them"

Psalm 34:7

"Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?"

Hebrews 1:14

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

The Bible mentions angels in different roles in the Old and New Testaments

  • Messengers: can you think of examples?
    • Gabriel to Zachariah, to the Virgin Mary, to Joseph.
  • Visitors: To Abraham with the Lord, who foretold Isaac's birth
  • Ministers before God: swift to carry His Word
  • Praising God: we see them in this role in the story of the Birth of Christ "Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth and good will toward men" (Luke 2: 13,14)
    • In the book of Revelation chapter 1
  • Ministers for our sakes for protection and also they carry our prayers to God
    • "Lord open the eyes of the lad so that he may see" (2 Kings 6)
  • Angels and the Altar in the Old Testament
    • Noah's sacrifice and Judges 13--can tell the story then ask how this is similar to the Divine Liturgy.
    • A seraphim on the altar in the Old Testament (Isaiah 6)
    • The Cherubim and the Seraphim are also seen in the tabernacle
  • In the Liturgy
    • Just as we saw in the Old Testament that angels are present on the altar and in the Tabernacle, we know that angels are present on the altar and in the church.
    • They participate with us in praises and carry our requests before God. There is a special Angel of the Sacrifice and we send him back as Abouna prays at the end of the Liturgy after the completion of the Holy Mysteries saying " O Angel of this Sacrifice remember us before the Lord" and Abouna throws up the water
    • Can share the story of the late Bishop Macarius who reposed during the Liturgy and the angel carried the Body back up to its original place so that it would not fall with him.

Archangel Michael

  • Archangel Michael is one of the seven archangels that we just spoke about. He is the first among them. His name means: "who is like God?" He reminds us of how to be holy, as our Lord taught us to be holy like Him.
  • Archangel Michael is the angel of the Resurrection, who rolled the stone away from the door of the tomb. Sometimes we call him the "trumpeter of the resurrection" in the hymns to remind us that he announced to us that Christ was risen. (Matt. 28).
  • He is mentioned several times in scripture (Dan. 10:12, Jude 9, and Revelation 12:7). He fought in the book of Revelation will fight against the dragon and prevail (cf. Rev. 12: 7-9)
  • He is known by many miracles and is celebrated in the Coptic Church on the 12th day of every Coptic month.
  • He is the intercessor of many and many name their children after him.

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

  • We want to be like angels, always praising God
  • We need to listen to God's commandments so we don't fall into sin
  • We should ask for angels' help because they are very close to the Lord
  • We need to show respect during liturgy and appreciate the opportunity of being there like the Holy angels

CONCLUSION - 2 Minutes

Angels are pure souls of light who carry the will of God and part of this will is to be a source of support for us. They can be intercessors for us, protectors/guardians, messengers for us.

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

Have the students draw one of the angels mentioned: Seraphim with 6 wings, Cherubim full of eyes, Gabriel the Messenger, Archangel Michael, Angel of Sacrifice above the Altar, etc.

Optional: watch the clip of Bishop Macarius repose as the Angel carries the Sacrifice back.

RESOURCES

  • Introduction Skit
  • Powerpoint lesson presentation
  • The Angels- by Pope Shenouda

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Read about Archangel Raphael in the story of Tobit-discuss his role in Tobit's life and how God used him for Tobit's protection, for healing and for carrying a message.

Read the Story of St. Tekla Heymanout and how Archangel Michael interceded for his family.

LESSON ATTACHMENTS

Grade 4 Week 1 Powerpoint.pdf

SKIT.pdf