Demetrius the 12th Patriarch

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to learn the life of Demetrius the Vinedresser, consider the qualities God looks for in a leader, understand that we should refrain from judging others, and appreciate the importance of Coptic Christian education.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Please review the previous week's lesson. (5 minutes)

A Rare Coin

A boy was hoping to receive a new gaming console on his birthday
To his dismay, he received a strange looking coin
Despite his outrage, the father tried to convince the son that this was a very special coin
The son fought with his father and even tried to dispose of the coin
Eventually the father revealed that this was an ancient coin was worth thousands of dollars, and that its value would continue to increase into that boy's adulthood
Just as we should be careful not to discredit the value of something just because we don't understand it, we should be careful not to judge someone since we don't know what God is capable of working in this person's heart, nor do we know their personal circumstances
Today we will study the story of Demetrius the Vinedresser, whose simplicity and purity was doubted by man but was highly valued by God

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." 39 And He spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. 41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye. 43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great" Luke 6:37-49.
Memory Verse: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" Luke 6:37

CONTENT - 15 Minutes

Called by God to be the Patriarch

Demetrius was the twelfth patriarch of Alexandria.
Before his ordination, Demetrius was an ordinary farmer who was happily married
Pope Julian received a vision in which it was revealed to him that the person God wanted to succeed his patriarchate would bring him grapes
The following day, Demetrius saw a cluster of grapes that were ripe even though they were out of season. He went to the papal residence to offer these as a gift to Pope Julian
When Demetrius entered with the grapes, Julian recognized that this was the person God intended to succeed the patriarchate of Alexandria after his departure

The Miracle of the Burning Coal (Revelation of Virginity)

After his enthronement, some members of the congregation questioned Pope Demetrius' purity because of his marriage, but an angel appeared to him and instructed him to reveal his secret and confess his and his wife's purity to the congregation.
After the Pentecost liturgy, Demetrius commanded his congregation to sit as he explained that he and his wife married out of necessity and that they vowed to live together as brother and sister in celibacy and virginity.
Demetrius commanded a deacon to grab burning charcoal which was placed between Demetrius' breastplate (Sadra) and his wife's veil, and they proceeded to walk around the church to show that the fiery coal would not burn through their clothing.
This miracle demonstrated his purity, and also reassured the congregation to trust their chosen shepherd.

Theological and Liturgical Contributions

Although Demetrius had been an illiterate farmer, he studied and mastered reading and writing, and even developed a very sophisticated understanding of the liturgical calendar
- He established the liturgical calendar that outlines (a formula to determine) the dates for fasts and feasts, including the feast of Resurrection (Easter), which was later approved at the Council of Nicaea and is still used to this day.
Demetrius took a great interest in growing the Catechetical School of Alexandria
- When an embassy from India requested a teacher of the faith, Demetrius sent the current dean of the School, Pantaenus
- Demetrius appointed Clement of Alexandria as dean and afterward selected Origen as its next dean

Demetrius and Origen

Demetrius had a very close relationship with Origen, whom he established as the dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria
Demetrius became very upset when he learned that Origen went against his authority and was ordained a priest outside of his Patriarchate.
- Origen was ordained in Palestine, outside of Demetrius' jurisdiction
Demetrius excommunicated Origen for going beyond the Patriarch's authority

DISCUSSION - 10 Minutes

Why would God choose a married and ordinary farmer to become patriarch?
Why did God command Demetrius to reveal the secret of his virginity to the people?
How did God use miracles throughout the story of Demetrius?
What did the story of Demetrius teach regarding judging others or their abilities?

LIFE APPLICATION

10 Minutes

Although Demetrius had qualities many wouldn't think would be appropriate for a patriarch, he was a man committed to a life of purity and a life of simple adoration for God

God reveals His glory in the lives of people who have simple and sincere love towards Him
Even if we are "lacking" in so many areas, God will pour His blessings, grace, and spiritual gifts into the person who opens up his heart

God used miracles throughout the life of Demetrius to reveal His will to the Church

The miracles of the grapes teach us to have confidence in the will of God and to search for His will in all things
The revelation of virginity teaches us that we must refrain from judging others since we don't know their circumstances or what's going on in their lives or what God has planned for them

Demetrius took his role as patriarch very seriously and prepared for it

Demetrius understood how important it was for a patriarch to be well educated and learned
As Christians, it is very important for us to know our Bibles, know the Church prayers, and to know the prayers in the Liturgy
It is critical to our upbringing to pay attention in Sunday School so that we can grow as Christians in the Coptic Church

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Comparing and Contrasting Demetrius Before and After Ordination

Make a list of the characteristics and qualities of Demetrius before his ordination
Next, draft a second list of characteristics and qualities of Demetrius after his ordination
See whether God transformed Demetrius before and after ordination through the gift of the Holy Spirit
By drawing parallels between these two lists, it is possible to see (1) the differences between what God looks for in a leader and what man looks for in a leader and (2) the work of God in the life of a person who submits to and trusts in Him

SERVANT RESOURCES

Mikhail, S. A. Maged. The Legacy of Demetrius of Alexandria 189-232 CE: The Form and Function of Hagiography in Late Antique and Islamic Egypt. Routledge, 2017.

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the life of Demetrius
Take time to remind your child not to judge others, including those in their class, because we don't know the contents of their heart, what's going on in their lives, and what God is secretly working
Encourage your child to share the content learned in Sunday School lessons to help them develop an interest in their Christian education