Educational resources for Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha available from Department of Christian Education
A variety of lenten resources for class and individual study are available free of charge on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Christian Education.
Great Lent begins on Monday, February 27, 2012.
A collection of activities for grades 2-3, 4-6 and 7-8 may be found at http://dce.oca.org/assets/files/resources/lent-activities.pdf. Two activities with teacher guides are available for each grade level.
“Journey to Pascha” — a six-lesson study unit for use in parish Church schools — is available at http://dce.oca.org/focus/pascha. The unit includes lessons for five age groups — ages 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-17, and 18 and over. It is ideal for weekly classroom use on the lenten Sundays.
The unit begins with the story of Lazarus and the celebration of Jesus’ joyful Entrance into Jerusalem. It continues 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 are highlighted.
Each lesson gives the teacher step-by-step instructions for presenting a learning session tailored to a particular age group. The lessons include activities and games, downloadable icons, and resources from our liturgical Tradition.
Weekly Sunday bulletin inserts — beginning February 26, they will feature lenten themes — also are available.