FOCUS Units

The Department of Christian Education's Resource Website, developed by the Orthodox Church in America, offers a virtual treasury of resources for teachers, parents and children of all ages.  There are lessons and materials for the whole family, from pre-school through adult study groups.

Journey to Pascha - Updated! 3/13/2008

If you need information in a lesson that is not yet available please email christianeducation@oca.org .

Beginning with the story of Lazarus and the celebration of Jesus' joyful Entrance into Jerusalem, then on through each day of Holy Week.  What Jesus taught His disciples, and what happened to Jesus as He was brought to trial, put to death and buried. Finally, the celebration of the events that led to His Resurrection!

NOTE: While the remaining resources are being developed, access the original Journey to Pascha Materials in the FOCUS format is available.

Monasticism - NEW!

Monastics (monks and nuns) are people called by God to live the Christian life in a special way.  Some have answered this call to become closer to God by living a life of quiet solitude, away from the cares and busy life of the world.  Others live, pray and work in communities called monasteries.  All monastics live as ascetics (an ascetic is a person who practices self-denial so as to concentrate on a goal without worldly distractions.) This is true whether they live in solitude, or in communal monasteries.  This four-session unit discusses the history of Monasticism, visits monasteries in North America and around the world, and provides examples of saintly monastics.

The Nativity Season

This unit in 5 sessions prepares the students for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Included are Bible stories for children for use in church schools and at home, activities and projects for families, outreach activities for various age-groups, and introductions to the liturgical services of Nativity. Each lesson includes iconography, hymnography, scripture and activities as well as connected readings.

The Theotokos

A unit in 5 sessions, with lessons about the major feast days of the Theotokos using iconography, hymnography, scripture and activities. The Nativity, Entrance, Annunciation and Dormition of the Theotokos are covered. A final session describes various icons of the Theotokos, including the Tikhvin Icon, which recently returned home to the Tikhvin Monastery in Russia.

My Orthodox Family

This 6 session unit focuses on the growth of Orthodox Christianity in North America, the saints and leaders who were our Orthodox "pioneers" in this hemisphere, the growth of parishes founded by hundreds of thousands of immigrants from many Orthodox lands, the emergence of a truly "American" church life, and the responsibilities we are called to share today.

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