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Here's a look at the pious custom of red eggs in the Orthodox Church for you and your families to enjoy. Where did the tradition come from anyway? It seems there are a few possible answers to this question...of which I prefer to believe in the miracle that God worked through His handmaiden, Saint Mary Magdalene (whom by the way is often wrongly attributed as the prostitute who anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair - Here is an Orthodox Wiki for a well cited clarification). Other symbolism, not as dogma, but as tradition includes: *The egg as the new life in Christ through His resurrection * Red for the color of our Lord's blood shed on the cross but also for His divinity *The outer shell to be cracked as the doors of Hades are shattered open Since children enjoy decorating the eggs, why not encourage them to display their faith on them, as the picture shows! Be sure not to throw away any icons if you use them, but certainly include symbols like ~ icxc, fis...

If you and your kids enjoyed the "Orthodox Alphabet Game" here is a set of flash cards to build your vocab. Some letters proved a bit challenging so I'll graciously accept other suggestions for "X, Y, and Z!" For older kids, maybe it's best to leave off the word on the front and have them find the correct word on the back. Both PDF files have been added to the Orthodox Education Group on Scrib.com . They were set up for standard 3x5 notecards, or you can print 4 to a letter size page. For younger kids, I've placed these cards within an inexpensive photo album to help them turn the pages like a book.

This Akathyst "poem" to Panagia has been lost in translation! In many English uses, the first letter of each stanza no longer coordinates with the Greek alphabet, sadly. Refresh your alphabet skills Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eeta, Theeta, Iota, Kapa, Lamntha, Mee, Nee, Xee, Omikron, Pee, Ro, Sigma, Tauf, Eepsilon, Fee, Xee, Psee....Omega! Go back, and re-look at your Greek versions for you will find the author (could be St Romanos) wrote this hymn with each stanza corresponding to a letter in the Greek alphabet. The first ode begins with Alpha, and the remaining continue in order, until the last ode which beings with Omega. Purposefully done, I'm sure, as our Lord used these letters Himself to show us He is the Beginning and the End. At various Orthodox monasteries abroad, you may even find this famous and beloved hymn illustrated in Byzantine iconography. I've gathered and compiled a document to use with your parishes and youth showing just that. Clic...

Have you prepared a "Lambatha, or Pascha Candle" with your children yet for 2018? It is customary among the Greek Orthodox that the Godparents do so, and they give it as a surprise for their godchildren as the night of the Resurrection approaches. T his candle has to be NEW, and will only be used for Pascha and 40 days afterward! Often these can be purchased with stuffed animals and ribbons, but we aim to use small icon stickers, wax decals, and symbols from our faith instead. Beeswax is an ideal offering, however white is also fitting for the Resurrection if this is what your parish offers. Here are a few symbols to incorporate: A small icon of the Resurrection A Cross Three Crosses Alpha and Omega Flowers IC XC NIKA (Jesus Christ Conquers) The "X" and P" Christ is Risen Here is a sample graphic to print on labels. If anyone else has done this craft before, please share your advice. I found the following links that were helpful: http://festalcelebrations.word...

How does one sum up the great feast of Pascha easily for kids? With a long white piece of paper, we made three folds and created our very own accordion Pascha card with original poem to accompany the Passion and Resurrection of Christ icons cut out from Orthodox catalogs. This simple craft turned out to be a nice way to reinforce the meaning behind each day for young and old. Especially for godchildren and penpals far away, it helps us stay in touch spiritually since we will not be able to celebrate together. Here are the words to our poem: To Christ our God, Who raised Lazarus from the dead... You traveled to Jerusalem with the people you led... Teaching all to be servants rather than trying to get ahead... Your Body and Blood for eternity us you fed... Then nailed to the Cross, You conquered death for three days dead... As we wait to proclaim with our eggs dyed red... "I am the Resurrection and the Life,   he who believes in me shall never die." Jesus said.

Practice your Paschal greetings in 59 languages! Pascha Languages Be sure to print and save this one! I share with you also this resource page to reflect on the numerous uses of the word PASCHA in Holy Scripture , which helps to support why as Orthodox Christians we should avoid the use of the word "Easter"  Let us be set apart from the world in this way, and bear witness to the Gospel which is our risen Lord Jesus Christ, the Paschal Lamb!

The powerful story of repentance that we find in the life of Saint Mary of Egypt which was recorded by the monk Zossimos, can be a memorable one for teenagers and college students. For the younger children though that you might be working with, consider this Orthodox craft: 1. Color two images of Saint Mary of Egypt The first, from her former life possibly with brighter clothing, youthful skin, etc and the second after her years in the desert as an ascetic. I chose these two images because one depicts the humility needed to bring about repentance, and the second with hope and stronger faith, prepared to meet God at her death. 2. Cut the images out 3. Glue those images, back to back, with a popsicle stick in between 4. Write the word "METANOIA" (or REPENTANCE) on the sticks with the definition "Turn one's life around" on the reverse side. As I retell the story, I'll ask the children to show me which side of her we're looking at. Then, we will literally, T...

This is a great way to involve your kids in the Raising of Lazarus! Wrap them in "burial" cloth and see who will be first to break free on your command! It's extremely significant that the Church places Lazarus Saturday exactly one week earlier than the Resurrection of Christ. The miracle teaches us the power of God over death, so that we may learn to truly believe and have our faith transformed at Pascha. Just as we begin Holy Week, we get a glimpse and foretaste of the way God will save the world from the corruption of sin, from sickness and pain. As Christ said, Lazarus was merely sleeping. Although death had claimed him for four days in the tomb, and he smelled from the corruption of his body, he will live again. This is our Orthodox theology! Our view of death as sleeping in anticipation of whats to come. This is the joyful sorrow of what we are about to experience in Holy Week. We mourn, all the while expecting the greatest of all miracles! Lazarus is also one of t...