Long before the actual beginning of Lent, the church announces its approach and invites us to enter into the period of pre-lenten preparation. It is a characteristic feature of the Orthodox Liturgical tradition that every major feast or season is announced and “prepared” in advance. Why? Because of the deep psychological insight by the Church into human nature. Knowing our lack of concentration and the frightening “wordiness” of our life, the Church knows our inability to change rapidly, to go abruptly from one spiritual or mental state into another. Thus, long before the actual effort of Lent is about to begin, the Church calls our attention to its seriousness and invites us to meditate on its significance. Before we can practice Lent, we are given its meaning. This preparation includes 4 consecutive Sundays preceding Lent, each of them- through its particular Gospel lesson - dedicated to some fundamental aspect of repentance.

Source : Fr Alexander Schmemann

What is Triodion? You may have heard of the Triodion before, but what is it? The Triodion is a liturgical book containing the Church services and hymns to be read for a period that precedes Holy Pascha; the word “Triodion” also describes the preparatory period before Pascha during which the Triodion book is used. It lasts for 70 days, or 10 weeks. In Greek, the word Triodion (Τριώδιον) means ‘three odes’, the three sets of hymns that are chanted in this period during the Orthros service, instead of the eight-set hymns chanted the rest of the liturgical year.

Printable Triodion Coloring/Story Book by Presvytera and Missionary Alexandria Ritsi - This free resources includes the instructions on how to fold/create a little book for kids that can be folded into a tiny booklet, colored, and explains more about the Triodion to kids. Click HERE to download and print!

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (February 21)

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (Sample Discussion): After reading the story directly from the scriptures in Luke 18:10-14 : In this story, we have 2 different men with rather big names, don’t we? Let’s start with the Publican. That’s another name for a tax collector, and in those days tax collectors took extra money from people and kept it for themselves. He stole from people and lied to people. He was a man nobody liked because he wasn’t honest or a good friend. The Pharisee was very different sort of man. He was like a man who took care of the Temple. He knew all about God and how to follow Him. He knew all the rules about fasting and giving money to God, and knew we should go to church and say many prayers.

The Pharisee sounds like a better man than the Publican, doesn’t he? But do you know what? The story Jesus told about them has a big surprise in it. The better man is not the man who cared for the Temple (the Pharisee), but the better man is the tax collector, the Publican. Even though the Pharisee knew all about God, he did not really know God Himself very well at all. Do you remember what he said to God in the Gospel reading? The Pharisee said, “Thank you, God, that I am not like that Publican. I am a much better man”. When we come to God, we want to be like the Publican. We want to copy him in the way he cried out to God for help and mercy. He prayed “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!” We want to love God more than anything else. We want our love for Him to be the first thing before our eyes instead of looking at other people and thinking we are better than they are. Remember the sin of pride that the Pharisee had; it made him forget about God. Let us try to be like the Publican instead and pray as he did: Lord, have mercy on me a sinner!

Source: derived from the Garden of the Theotokos Curriculum

Lord, Have mercy on me, a sinner

The Triodion Fabric Learning Set by Orthodox Pebbles

Activity Ideas:

• Lesson Plan and Paper Puppets by Orthodox Pebbles - Once again, Orthodox Pebbles knocks it out of the park with their lesson on the Publican and the Pharisee! In this lesson you will find an icon worksheet, a cut-and-glue-craft, worksheets to help with the details of the story, and activities to practice being humble in real life, which you can find through this link HERE.

  *If you enjoy these materials, please consider making a donation in support of the hard working Orthodox moms behind these incredible materials or become a Patreon

• Orthodox Pebbles Fabric Learning Set - One of my favorite resources to teach a Biblical Story is through the Fabric learning sets produced through Orthodox Pebbles. This Triodion set includes both the story of the Publican and the Pharisee and the Prodigal Son. It is hands-on, Orthodox-focused, interactive, and helps children better remember the story and meaning of these two parables of the Triodion period. You can purchase the DIY fabric HERE

• Printable Coloring/Story Book about the Publican and Pharisee by Presvytera and Missionary Alexandria Ritsi - This free resources includes the instructions on how to fold/create a little book for kids that can be folded into a tiny booklet, colored, and explains more about the parable to kids. Click HERE to download and print!

• Memorize a Prayer - Lord, Have mercy on me, a sinner! (or for older kids: “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner")

• Listen to the Podcast Tending to the Garden of our Hearts on the Publican and the Pharisee HERE. It’s a podcast for the whole family!

• Color an Icon of the Story of the Publican and the Pharisee by The Meek Sparrow

Book Recommendations:

• Pascha Passport and Sticker Sheet by St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church - Much like a real passport, this small booklet has many spaces for stamps that correspond to each service attended during the Triodion season, Lent, Holy Week, and other Special “Destinations” (such as Confession, the Jesus Prayer, etc). The passport “stamps” (sold separately) are icons stickers! We’ve used these for the past few years and my girls LOVE that they get to put a sticker in their passport after each service they attend, and it is a wonderful way to encourage participation and excitement for young children. Not only are these a unique resource, but all of the money raised from this booklets goes toward funding of the Church’s Youth Program. These Pascha Passports are $2 and the sticker sheets are $1 so buy a BUNCH and give them to all your friends! Bulk orders are also an option!

• Read the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee directly from the source: Luke 18:10-14

Sunday of the Prodigal Son (February 28)

Sunday of the Prodigal Son - The story is about a father and his two sons. The younger son asks his father for his share of the inheritance and takes it. He goes in a far away place and lives wastefully, until there is nothing left from his inheritance. When he finds himself broke, alone, miserable and in need, he goes to work for a man who raises swine; he is so hungry that he even craves the pig food. At some point he comes to his senses. He realizes what he lost at his father’s house, his pitiful situation and cries in repentance. Then he decides to return home to his father, asking him for forgiveness in the hopes that he will get a job as a servant.

He begins the long way back home. His father, who has been waiting for him, sees him from afar, runs to him, embraces and kisses him. He throws a big party to celebrate the return of his lost, and now found, son. When the older brother, upon returning from the fields, finds out what is happening, he becomes envious and angrily reproaches his father. The father emphasizes that the older brother has always been enjoying what the paternal home has to offer, and, instead of being jealous, he should also celebrate for the return of his lost younger brother.

Source: Orthodox Pebbles Lesson

Sample Discussion - Do you know why God gives us this story at the beginning of Lent? It is to remind us that we must turn and run back to God, just like the Prodigal Son did. God is always like this Father in the story: always loving, always waiting for us, always ready to give a great feast when we come back to Him. Sometimes we are like the son who goes very far away from his Father. This is what “prodigal” means; it means that a person has gone away from what is right and good. Do you ever do that? Let’s think of some ways that we might go away from God sometimes…. All these things are ways we can become like the Prodigal Son. As lent begins this year, let’s try to remember the ways that we have gone away from God this year. Then we think about the Father in this story and how good and generous he was. He was not angry with his son for going away. Instead of being angry, he forgave his son and made a big feast for him. This is how God is with us every time we come back to him. How do we come back to God when we have gone away from Him? We go to confession with our Priest. We tell him and God what we have done and we tell him that we want to come back. God always meets us with His arms outstretched, ready to forgive us and welcome us back to Him. Let’s pray that God will help us to come back to Him when we have gone away.

Activity Ideas:

• Lesson Plan and Paper Puppets by Orthodox Pebbles - Everything you need to share the story of the Publican and the Pharisee is in this free printable packet! In this lesson you will find an icon worksheet, a cut-and-glue-craft, worksheets to help with the details of the story, symbolism and activities which you can find through this link HERE.

  *If you enjoy these materials, please consider making a donation in support of the hard working Orthodox moms behind these incredible materials or become a Patreon

• Orthodox Pebbles Fabric Learning Set - As mentioned in the previous week, one of my favorite resources to teach a Biblical Story is through the fabric learning sets produced through Orthodox Pebbles. This Triodion set includes both the story of the Publican and the Pharisee and the Prodigal Son. It is hands-on, Orthodox-focused, interactive, and helps children better remember the story and meaning of these two parables of the Triodion period. You can purchase the DIY fabric HERE

• Printable Coloring/Story Book about the Prodigal Son by Presvytera and Missionary Alexandria Ritsi - This free resources includes the instructions on how to fold/create a little book for kids that can be folded into a tiny booklet, colored, and explains more about the parable to kids. Click HERE to download and print!

• Memorize a Prayer - O Lord, help me to be like the Prodigal Son. Help me to return to You when I have gone away. Amen

• Listen to the Podcast Tending to the Garden of our Hearts on the Prodigal Son HERE. It’s a podcast for the whole family!

• Listen to a Recording of the Story of the Prodigal Son told for Children on the Podcast Let us Attend HERE which is 4 minutes long

• Color an Icon of the Story of the Prodigal Son by The Meek Sparrow

Sample of the Lesson Plan by Orthodox Pebbles

Book Recommendations:

• For Biblical Stories, we prefer to read them directly from the source! Two of our favorite children’s Bibles are The Children’s Reader Bible (this story is on page 207) and The Picture Bible (page 623) which is illustrated much like a comic book

• The Prodigal Son: Level 1 (I Can Read Series)

Judgement Sunday: Meatfare (March 7)

Judgement Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of the Pre-Lenten preparation period known as Triodion. It is also referred to as Meatfare because during the week following it a limited fasting from meat is prescribed by the Church. The Church offers us the chance to “adjust” to the great effort which will be expected of us just a week later. We are gradually taken into that effort, knowing our frailty, foreseeing our spiritual weakness.

The parable of the Last Judgment that is read on this Sunday is from Matthew 25:31-46 when Christ comes to judge us. At His coming, “He will sit on the throne of His glory,” and all of the nations will be gathered before Him. He will separate them “as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” The sheep will be placed on His right hand, and the goats on the left. To the sheep, He will say “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” This kingdom is offered to the sheep because of their compassion and service to those in need. Jesus says, “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” Jesus teaches us that “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.”

Source: Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann

Activity Ideas :

• Find Ways to Serve Christ - one very tangible way to remember this passage is to do what Christ is asking of us - If we want to love Christ, we need to love people - in a tangible way! Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisioned. This will look differently depending on the ages of your children and your ability, but let’s especially remember our Christian duty to love today!

• Printable Coloring/Story Book about the Last Judgement by Presvytera and Missionary Alexandria Ritsi - This free resources includes the instructions on how to fold/create a little book for kids that can be folded into a tiny booklet, colored, and explains more about the parable to kids in a way that is age appropriate. Click HERE to download and print!

• Listen to a Podcast about The Last Judgement Tending to the Garden of our Hearts HERE. It’s a podcast for the whole family!

• For younger children - check out these cute sheep crafts : Cotton Ball Sheep Craft, Popcorn Bag Sheep, Paper Plate Cotton Ball Sheep

Book Recommendations:

• Pascha Passport and Sticker Sheet by St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church - I’ve mentioned this before, but as we draw closer to Lent, I want to mention it again. Much like a real passport, this small booklet has many spaces for stamps that correspond to each service attended during the Triodion season, Lent, Holy Week, and other Special “Destinations” (such as Confession, the Jesus Prayer, etc). The passport “stamps” (sold separately) are icons stickers! We’ve used these for the past few years and my girls LOVE that they get to put a sticker in their passport after each service they attend, and it is a wonderful way to encourage participation and excitement for young children. Not only are these a unique resource, but all of the money raised from this booklets goes toward funding of the Church’s Youth Program. These Pascha Passports are $2 and the sticker sheets are $1 so buy a BUNCH and give them to all your friends!

• Read the Parable of the Last Judgment directly from the source: Matthew 25: 31-46

Forgiveness Sunday : Cheesefare (March 14)

Forgiveness Sunday - We have officially reached the last day before Lent begins! Are you ready? The last of the Lenten preparation is usually called “Forgiveness Sunday” but it is also known liturgically as the “expulsion of Paradise” referencing the story of Adam and Eve being banished from Paradise because of their sin. This story can easily summarize the entire preparation for Lent. By now we know we were created for paradise, for knowledge of God and communion with Him. Our sin has deprived us of that blessed life and existence on earth is in exile. Christ, the Savior of the world, opens the doors to paradise to everyone who follows Him, and the Church, by revealing to us the beauty of the Kingdom, makes our life a pilgrimage toward our heavenly home.

Forgiveness Vespers - Lent actually begins at Vespers this evening. This unique service, so deep and beautiful, reveals better the “tonality” of Great Lent in the Orthodox Church. The service begins as solemn with the Clergy wearing bright vestments. During the service, the Clergy set aside their bright vestments, the lights are turned low and dark vestment are worn. We have officially entered into Lent! At the end of the service, we hear the prayer of St Ephrem is prayed, and the faithful approach the priest and one another asking for mutual forgiveness. Thus our Lenten journey begins with forgiveness and humility. Cheesefare is the term we used to mean we say goodbye to cheese (aka dairy), as Orthodox Christians fast from meat and dairy during Lent.

Source: Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann

Activity Ideas :

• Practice Forgiveness - I usually coach my children by practicing what we say during the rite of forgiveness during Forgiveness Vespers. Each parish has variance on the phrases used during this service. One simple one to practice with your children is “Will you forgive me?” and we reply “I forgive you” and we embrace one another. This is also a wonderful time to ask for forgiveness for those we have conflict with. Let’s begin Lent with a repentance heart and reconciliation!

• Learn the Prayer of St Ephrem - This prayer is said often during Lent. We say the prayer, and as we begin we do a full prostration. This is another thing that can be prayed together as a family in addition to your daily prayers.

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. 

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. 

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

• Listen to a Podcast about Forgiveness Sunday by Tending to the Garden of our Hearts HERE. It’s a podcast for the whole family!

• Lesson on Great Lent for Kids by Orthodox Pebbles - help your children prepare for the weeks ahead with this simple to understand lesson for kids about the meaning of lent, create a “Lady Lent” craft/countdown for the weeks of Lent, and a Great Lent song!

Recommendations:

• Tending the Garden of our Hearts: Daily Lenten Meditations for Families by Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger. Are you looking for a way to keep your family engaged in the spiritual nourishment Lent has to offer? Tending the Garden of Our Hearts offers family devotions based on the scriptures for each day of Great Lent, including questions to discuss and ponder and an appendix full of hands-on activities to bring the lessons of the season to life. Whether you use it every day or dip into it occasionally as time permits, this book will help the whole family get more out of this season of the Orthodox year.

• The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem - We have this print by Emilia’s Post on our prayer corner each year for lent. It’s one of my favorites! You can purchase it HERE.

Final Thoughts

The Lenten season is very full, and the same is true for the pre-lenten weeks. In our family, we prioritize attending the services as much as we are able. When time permits, I try to pull one resource like a coloring page, fabric set we’ve purchased, read the story, etc. My hope and desire for sharing these resources is to take the some of the burden off your shoulders for finding simple resources to share with your family. If you find yourself in a very busy season, don’t feel stressed to “do it all!” Attending services and praying with your kids is more than sufficient to connect them with the life of the church. You’re doing a great job!

What to Expect in the Future:

Be sure to follow along with me on Instagram for more Feast Day resources and monthly guides in the coming year! Also, consider subscribing below to receive updates on future guides and resources. Here is what I have in store for the coming year:

• Each month I’ll share a heads up on what feast days/liturgical events are happening that month so you can begin to think/plan/prepare for what’s ahead. I’ll also include simple activities and book recommendations

• Currently working on a Lent Guide for families coming out this week! And of course I’ll have a Holy Week guide again, and a Pascha gift guide this year as well!

• Orthodox Book list for kids and families broken down by month/Feast Day so you can start building a collection with intention. Many of them will be available at your local library or audio books

• Feast Day Guides for Individual feast days with more details on how to participate

Thank you for all your support and for checking out my latest Feast Day guide. Good strength, dear friends!

-Khouria Destinie