Capstone

OBJECTIVE

The objective for this capstone project is to synthesize what the students have learned in the previous weeks regarding iconography, veneration of saints, and the Theotokos Saint Mary.

INSTRUCTIONS/IDEAS

Listen/sing along to the following spiritual song:

OPTION 1: Understanding the Icon of the Theotokos

Materials:

Instructions:

Distribute materials to each student. Explain the icon and the significance of the colors. Ask the following questions while doing the activity, then have each student decorate their icon:

  • What does the word "Theotokos" mean? (The Mother of God.)
  • What is the icon? (The icon has 3 purposes)
    • Educational - it teaches something (i.e. it answers the question 'why' to the things on the icon)
    • Liturgical - it plays a role in the liturgy
    • Spiritual - the one who prays with the icons obtains a connection with the saint because icons are "windows into heaven."
  • Where would we find the icon of St. Mary in Our Church? (On the left-hand side when facing the altar. Jesus sits at the left hand of St. Mary. He is the King, and she is the Queen, always at His right.)
  • St. Mary is pointing to baby Jesus, Why? (Because she wants us to listen to whatever He says; she is also presenting Him to us.)
  • Why is Christ's hand pointed to heaven? (Because He is leading us to His Father.)
  • Why do we paint her robe blue? (Because she became the Second Heaven when Jesus was in her womb.)
  • Why do we paint His robe in red/purple? (Because Jesus died on the Cross to save us and red is the color of blood).
  • Why do we place three stars on her? (Because she was a virgin before, during, and after Christ's birth. She is the Ever-Virgin Theotokos. Consider explaining the word "virgin" as "pure." St. Mary kept her purity before, during, and after Christ's birth.)
  • Why are there halos around their heads? (Because they have the divine light. Christ is the source, and St. Mary is filled with it. Halos and the rest of the icon are gold to reflect divinity and heavenly realm.)

OPTION 2: Framing Icons

In this activity, students will be creating frames for icons of the Theotokos. Various materials can be used. See the link and images below for examples (popsicle sticks, gold foil, ribbon & cardboard). Discussion questions from Option 1 may also be used for this activity.

Holy Icon Crafts -- Orthodox Pebbles