Department of Christian Education’s “Saints in Times of Trouble” Activity Book now available on-line
Although each Christian generation has its own unique challenges, there were those followers of Christ – in various times and places – who suffered extraordinarily for the Faith. They gave their lives completely through sacrificial service or in death, “for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.” A new activity book, “Saints in Times of Trouble,” bears witness to twelve such disciples.
The popular “Saints of North America” Activity Book, produced by the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Christian Education, has now been complemented by what promises to be an equally useful resource: a workbook focusing on “Saints in Times of Trouble.”
What makes this brief collection distinct from others is the diversity of examples presented, including Saint John Chrysostom and the deaconess Saint Olympias and Saint Poplia from the 4th century; Saint Aidan (Scotland) and Saint Cuthbert (Britain) from the 7th century; Saint Alexander Nevsky (the Russian Prince) from the 13th century; and the iconographer Saint Andrei Rublev, 14th century. Moving forward, the 19th and 20th centuries are represented by such figures as Saint Barbara the Nun-Martyr of Russia; Saint Gorazd, Bishop and New-Martyr of Prague; Saint Maria Skobtsova of Paris; Saint Mitrophan of China; and Saint Patriarch Tikhon.
In addition to facts concerning their lives, each entry contains the troparion and kontakion for the saint, journal questions to facilitate discussions with students, and puzzle activities. Further resources, including a large glossary and full color displays of cultural points of interest, are cited for those who want more information. As in the first book, “Saints of North America,” “Saints in Times of Trouble” features beautifully detailed iconographic line drawings as well as a map of where each saint journeyed in his or her lifetime.
The “Saints in Times of Trouble” Activity Book may be downloaded on the DCE web site by clicking here.