Dionysius the 14th Patriarch

OBJECTIVE

Today's objective is to learn the life of Dionysius, consider lessons regarding his conversion, contemplate his example of mercy, and recognize the importance of Christian education.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

A young child was convinced and satisfied with his talent in drawing. He mocked his friends who enrolled in art classes, saying that his natural talent and skills were superior. When the friends invited him to attend, he told them that he was a master and did not need to learn any techniques.

After a summer of art class, the boy's friends showed him masterpieces they had created. The boy was shocked that his friends had apparently surpassed his "natural talent" and created works "beyond his grasp."Humbled, yet slightly embarrassed by his previous comments, the boy asked how his friends were able to create such works

Recognizing that their friend was trying to learn some techniques, they decided to share. The boy realized that, yes, while he had a natural talent, he still had much to learn and develop. Once he was humbled enough to recognize his limitation, he was able to grow more than he thought possible

Today's lesson will look into a pagan philosopher and teacher whose curiosity and interest in the Church caused him to cast aside all worldly wisdom in pursuit of God, and eventually led him to be called by God to be patriarch of the Coptic Church

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea (Acts 8:26-40).

Memory Verse - "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13

CONTENT - 10 Minutes

Conversion of Dionysius

  • According to Tradition, Dionysius was a pagan philosopher and teacher
  • Out of curiosity, he purchased a fragment of a Pauline manuscript from an old woman
  • His curiosity deepened and he continued to request further fragments at any cost
  • When the old woman saw how much he changed, she told him to go to the church and acquire a manuscript for free
  • Dionysius was greeted by a deacon named Augustine who gave him the complete letters of Paul
  • Dionysius went on to memorize the entire collection of the Pauline Epistles

Theological School

  • He was baptized by Pope Demetrius and attended the Theological School under Origen
  • Since he had already been a teacher of philosophy, he used the Christian teachings to convert many pagans
  • He was ordained a deacon by Demetrius the 12th patriarch, a priest by Heraclas the 13th patriarch, and was also appointed the dean of the Theological School by Heraclas
  • After the departure of Bishop Heraclas, Dionysius was elected Patriarch of Alexandria
  • Donyius, the fourteenth patriarch of Alexandria from 247 to 264.

Theological Issues During Papacy

  • Dionysius further developed the liturgical calendar that outlines the church's fasts and feasts.

Question of those who Lapsed

  • During his papacy, the church faced a great deal of percussion under Emperor Decius (250-251)
  • This brought up the issue of how to deal with those who "lapsed" during the persecution, which means that they denied Jesus or used bribery to escape persecution
  • It was the Coptic Church's position to allow those who lapsed to confess and return to the Church
  • The Coptic Church demonstrated great mercy and love towards those who fell to temptations
  • This issue continued to be a point of contention for Peter the Seal of the Martyrs during the Meletian schism around the time of the Diocletian persecution

Defended against Sabellianism

  • During his papacy, the heresy of Sabellianism began gaining momentum
  • This heresy purports that God has taken three forms throughout human history:
    • The form of Father from the beginning to the incarnation
    • The form of Son from the incarnation to Pentecost
    • The form of Holy Spirit from Pentecost to present
  • Sabellianism fails to recognize that God is three Persons in one Godhead (essence)

DISCUSSION - 15 Minutes

Dionysius' Conversion

  • How did Dionysius convert from paganism to Christianity?
  • How did his curiosity and interest in Scripture encourage him to approach the church and be baptized?
  • After baptism, does the Christian have the same curiosity and attraction to Holy Scripture? In other words, does the search for God within the Scriptures cease once we are baptized Christians?

The Example of Mercy

  • How should God treat people who deny Him?
  • How should the Church respond to the Christians who offered to idols during persecution?

The Importance of Christian Education

  • Consider that Dionysius was himself a teacher of paganism and philosophy before becoming a Christian. How do you think Dionysius felt when he found himself learning like a child?
  • How may pride get in the way of our own Christian education and study of Scripture?
  • Some people claim to know the Bible and have heard "all the lessons." What is the cause and remedy of this spiritual condition?

LIFE APPLICATION - 15 Minutes

The baptized Christian strives towards sanctification of mind, body, and soul

  • Many are attracted to the Church and seek baptism because they have been found by the one their soul loves
  • Baptism begins the sanctification of mankind, and allows us to partake of the sacraments by which we are mysteriously united to God
  • The heart of the Christian should not grow cold towards God, but rather their should be a fire that causes us to want to learn more about God and get closer to Him
  • The life of the Christian, then, is spent in sanctification of the mind, body, and soul through fasting, prayer, Bible reading, liturgy attendance, sacrament participation, and asceticism
  • We too should have the curiosity of a child and search the Scripture and the Church for words of life

An Example of Mercy

  • Dionysius' study of theology was not just academic, but was seen in his attitude towards those who lapsed by denying Christ during the very violent Decian persecution
  • Dionysius understood God's mercy, perhaps because he witnessed it himself since he recognized God called a pagan philosopher to be saved and even made a teacher and patriarch
  • With accuracy and deep understanding, Dionysius provided the example for future leaders of the church to turn the punishment into salvation for those who fell in weakness
  • We too should deal with one another with a spirit of love and mercy, making excuses for our brothers and sisters, looking for every opportunity to demonstrate compassion

God prepares us for ministry

  • Dionysius was very smart before his conversion, and was even a philosophy teacher
  • However, Dionysius learned like a child the very basic lessons of the faith
  • His love and passion for God caused him to memorize all fourteen Pauline Epistles
  • Dionysius' love for God and study of theology allowed him to prepare his mind and heart to answer very difficult and intricate questions of his time that were challenging even for his successors
  • Our study of theology should inspire thoughts of humility in our hearts, reminding us that we are still children who have much to learn but are appreciative for each and every lesson we are given

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

  • Parents can also encourage their kids to reflect and relate to what kind of patriarch/saint by a certain quality that the kids like about the saint, and ask for their intercessions.
  • Have an icon/picture of one of the patriarchs at home in the living room.