St. George

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Saints module is to teach the children about the lives of the saints. In Kindergarten, we will go over Saint Demiana, Archangel Michael, Saint Anthony, and Saint George. It is important to explain that the saints are simply members of our congregation who together praise and worship God. We do not worship the saints, instead, we ask them as our friends to pray for us. Week 5 is the capstone week to review and serve together. The objective of this lesson is for the kindergartners to familiarize themselves with the story of Saint Anthony and his effect on the Coptic Orthodox Church. The objective of this lesson is for the kindergartners to be familiar with the story of St. George.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

Ask the kindergarteners if they have ever seen a picture of St. George. What do they remember from his picture? What about his story? Do they know any churches named after him? Or any friends or family members with the name George and who were they named after?

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Memory Verse

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

LIFE OF THE SAINT - 15 Minutes

St. George was born about 280 AD to a Christian family that was wealthy and noble. They lived in Cappadocia, a city of the Eastern Empire, in Asia Minor. He followed the usual career of a young nobleman and joined the Roman army, where his ability and charm brought him a quick promotion. The Emperor heard about him and made him an officer in the Royal Guard.

On February 23, in the year 303 AD, however, the evil emperor Diocletian passed a law against the Christians. The provisions of this law were published in the marketplace: "All churches should be leveled to the ground. Their sacred books to be burned. All Christians who hold any honorable rank are not only to be degraded, but to be deprived of civil rights. Also, all Christians who are not officials are to be reduced to slavery".

With great courage, the young man George deliberately tore down the Imperial edict and threw it away. He immediately began to protect any Christians he could against this evil law. Consequently, he was arrested and brought to the presence of Diocletian.

Emperor Diocletian tried many ways to make Saint George leave the Christian faith. He tried promising him a great job in the army, even to be a prince in the empire. Saint George always refused. Then the emperor tried torturing him and hurting him in terrible ways. Still, Saint George remained firm in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Diocletian called his top sorcerers and requested to prepare a lethal poison to kill Saint George. Saint George did the sign of the Cross over the cup before drinking it, but no harm came to him. The Emperor's counselors informed him that Saint George's "magic" was contained in the sign of the Cross itself. A second cup was given to the Saint, but this time with his hands tied behind his back. The Saint signed the Cross with his head saying, "Shall I drink it from here or here or here or here?"

Although Saint George was tortured and had pains and sufferings of his own, he kept speaking to Diocletian about the Christian faith. The Emperor tried to test him and asked him if he could raise a dead man. Saint George prayed to our Lord and the dead man came back to life. The result of that was the conversion of both the dead man and the sorcerer as well as many others. God gave them all the Heavenly reward in the crown of martyrdom.

When all methods failed to change Saint George's faith, the Emperor invited him in his palace to entertain him. He offered him an opportunity as a prince if he only sacrificed once to the idols. The Saint replied, "Tomorrow you will see the powers of your gods." At the palace, Saint George met Empress Alexandra, who knew about the Christian faith. She spoke with him, but the conversation quickly changed its course and the Saint began to preach to her about Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. On the following day many people went to the temple to witness St. George's sacrifice to the idols. The Saint stretched his hands, raised his eyes to Heaven and in a moment, the idols collapsed and fell to the ground The crowds shouted "we believe in George's God" The Emperor had finally had enough. The new Christians, Saint George and Empress Alexandra all received the crown of martyrdom and their Heavenly reward on 23 Baramouda, 303 A.D.

St. George was buried in his mother's home that was situated on the seashore at Lydda, Palestine. King Constantine, who took over after Diocletian, considered St. George a true model of a young Christian man. He ordered a church to be built over his grave. In Egypt, Saint George is called, "The Prince of Martyrs", and there are over 200 churches named after him. Moreover he is a personal friend and intercessor of many Copts, who believe in the power of his prayers for them.

Interesting fact: The chains of St. George while he was in prison can be found in Egypt at St. George's Convent in Old Cairo, Egypt.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Materials:

  • Strips of colored construction paper (5 or 6 for each child)
  • Glue or tape

Instructions:

  • Have the children tape the two ends of one strip of construction paper. After the first one is done, continue doing the same thing but linking the strips before gluing each one to create a chain of construction paper to mimic the chains of St. George.

RESOURCES

COPTUNES + VIDEO LINK

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the story of Saint George with your children. Encourage your children to pray through the intercessions of Saint George during your prayer routines.

LESSON ATTACHMENTS

KG Week 4 Activity (Saints).pdf