4th Grade

Holy Matrimony

1 - Understand the meaning of Holy Matrimony.

2 - Learn about the two parts of the service of Holy Matrimony.

3 - Introduce the symbolism behind the minnu and manthrakodi.

Holy Confession

1 - Understand what Confession and Repentance are.

2 - Understand the role of a priest in Confession.

3 - Relate the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Loving Father) to Confession.

Burial

1 - Discuss how remembrance of the departed is an act of love.

2 - Outline and illustrate the funeral service.

Consecration of the Church

1 - Compare and Contrast the House of God (Consecrated Church) Vs. House of Prayer (Non-Consecrated Church).

2 - Outline the four parts of the consecration of the Church, especially laying of the foundation stone of the Church.

3 - Understand why the Church is oriented East-West and why we face East during Prayer.

Circumcision/Naming of our Lord

1 - Relate that the Naming of our Lord is always celebrated on January 1 because this is the 8th day of birth.

2 - Understand it is a continuation of Jewish tradition.

3 - Indicate this is when babies in Jewish tradition would be given their names.

4 - Identify the name "Jesus" means savior.

Resurrection

1 - Examine the Icon of the Nativity of our Lord to illustrate how God became man to die and defeat death through His Resurrection.

2 - Discuss how the Holy Women were the first witnesses.

3 - Explain why we refer to "Great Friday" by emphasizing the Resurrection.

4 - Discuss how the Resurrection is the Feast of Feasts.

Ascension

1 - Describe the Feast of Ascension.

2 - Identify the symbolism in the Ascension icon.

Pentecost

1 - Know that Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday.

2 - Understand the Tower of Babel in relation to Pentecost.

3 - Recognize the meanings of the icon of Pentecost.

Transfiguration

1 - Know that Transfiguration is celebrated on August 6th.

2 - Identify main characters in the story (Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah).

3 - Identify main events of the story.

4 - Introduce the icon of the Transfiguration.

Dormition

1 - Know that St. Mary was a regular human being and she is not a goddess.

2 - Recognize that we do not worship St. Mary, rather venerate her and seek for her intercession.

3 - Know the significance of the date August 15th.

4 - Understand the importance of Shunoyo Fast.

Fasting

1 - Define what is fasting.

2 - Identify the different kinds of fasting.

3 - Identify the five canonical (obligatory) fasts.

Church Fathers

1 - Explain how Church Fathers are great teachers and leaders of the Holy Church. who taught the faith through prayerful meditations and contemplation.

2 - Understand that participants of the Holy Synods, that defined and refuted the faith of the Church, are main Church Fathers.

3 - Name some of the main Church Fathers.

Denominational Studies

1 - Understand that not everyone has the same faith and beliefs as we have.

2 - Recognize that Orthodoxy is the continuation of the Ancient Church.

3 - Know that we only receive sacraments in the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Syriac Liturgical Tradition

1 - Understand the basic context of Liturgy as well as liturgical tradition.

Holy Scriptures

1 - Identify the major sections of the Bible.

2 - Familiarize the use of Scripture in the Holy Qurbana.

Monasticism

1 - Define what is Monasticism.

2 - Identify the different paths of monasticism (reclusive/eremitic/hermit and cenobitic/communal)

3 - Illustrate how the life of St. John the Baptist exemplifies monasticism.