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.
Monasticism
The introduction to this unit is appropriate for all the age levels and we offer it here as a background for you, and as a source of information to share with your students. Much of the information was taken from the book These Truths We Hold, published by St. Tikhon's Orthodox Thelogical Seminary. There are four lessons per level, which print out in one continuous .PDF file.
The Nativity Season
This 5 Session unit, The Nativity Season, prepares learners for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sessions include children's Bible stories for use in church schools and at home, activities, and information about saints, hymns, and prayers of the Nativity season. Sessions also include iconography and readings to help students understand the meaning of the season.
The Theotokos
A unit in 5 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.
Journey to Pascha
The unit begins with the story of Lazarus and the celebration of Jesus' joyful Entrance into Jerusalem, then goes on through each day of Holy Week, focusing on 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!