Welcome to the The Dormition of the Theotokos Parish Sunday School Program. We look forward to working with your children and supporting your efforts to help your children develop as Orthodox Christians.

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WELCOME

 to the 

Dormition of the Theotokos 

Greek Orthodox Church 

Greensboro, NC

Sophia Orthoi

2021 - 2022 

School Year Program

Sunday School is a place and time where God's children learn they are loved by God and the people of God through the warm fellowship and inviting and creative study of the Bible. 

Our Mission is to provide a loving Christian teaching environment that is Gospel centered to train a child in the way that they should go. (Proverbs 22:6) 

Our Vision Statement: Children and parents learning, knowing, and living the Gospel. 

 

A Welcome Message

by Fr. Sarantis

A warm welcome to beloved students and parents for a new year at Sophia Orthoi Sunday School of our beloved church of Dormition of the Theotokos!

The start of a new school year is always a special time filled with much excitement as we begin to travel the road ahead. There is so much to learn and experience that we must thank God for these many blessings of growth and discovery. It is my prayer that God may watch over our students, parents, teachers and grants us all the grace of wisdom and understanding, patience, health, safety and abundant charity throughout this new school year.

This year we will start with a new curriculum and new books for each class. We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Sims for their humble generosity of donating all the Sunday school books this year for every class in loving memory of their daughter Leanne. May her memory be eternal!

In Sunday school, children develop a Christian understanding of the purposes of Scripture and our Orthodox Tradition. Through these experiences with the Bible in Sunday school, our children will learn to recognize God’s call and help all of us to accept God’s grace. Knowing the facts from the Bible is not enough. It has to be experienced! St. Paul reminds us in his second epistle to Timothy: “And that from a child thou hast, known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”2 Timothy 3:15.

Our congratulations and gratitude to our new appointed Sunday School Director Madalina Body for accepting to lead our children and teachers this year and beyond. May the Lord bless her efforts and wish her much success.  

Our gratitude to all the teachers for their commitment and of course to the parents who are realizing their responsibility and duty to see their children educated with God’s loving story.  Special thanks to our Youth Director Matthew Beckett for his tireless efforts to lead our youth groups.

With trust in God’s providential care, I convey and wish to everyone a fruitful spiritual successful year!

God bless!

Fr. Sarantis Loulakis




 

Welcome from Youth Director

Matthew Beckett

Christ is in our midst. He is and ever shall be. It is with great joy that I welcome all parents, students, teachers, volunteers, and families to the 2021/22 Dormition of the Theotokos Sunday School year. Sunday School is a vital ministry that allows our children to experience learning and living out the Orthodox Christian Faith within the body of Christ. It is a wonderful time for teachers as they pass on timeless truths and lessons that have been handed down by the Holy Tradition of our Faith. For our children, they will have the opportunity to learn about our Faith and connect to keys concepts that they already experience while living out their faith in the Liturgical Life, Sacramental Life, and Prayers of the church. These lessons will seek to give them a language to express those things they already participate in through the Life of the Church and the home church of each family.

It is my prayer that Christ strengthen us all in this work as Saint Paul says, “…that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ...” May God bless you all for your service and love for Christ shown by your support of our children in the Sunday School ministry.

 

 




Welcome from Sunday School Director 

Madalina Body

My goal and hope for this Sunday School program is to teach our children how to live their Orthodox life. I believe that the Sunday School exists within the church not apart from it. The classroom learning, the offering given in the Narthex, the lighting of candles, the veneration of icons and the worshiping are all actions that need to be experienced by our kids. Parents are the youth’s first teacher, but our church and Sunday School should be the next important teachers in their life. In Sunday School, we will look to help build up the children’s faith and enrich their knowledge about the Orthodox church by teaching them to believe, pray, worship, learn, grow, share, and serve. We accomplish these goals through age appropriate curriculum and faithful and enthusiastic teachers. Thank you to all the teachers who are volunteering to participate and be apart of the Sunday School this year and to all the parents who are supporting this program.



The Goals of an Orthodox Christian Education

The overall goal of Orthodox Christian Education is to help bring every person into a life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity (Theosis). The same goal may alternately be described as growing to mature personhood, to the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13) or as living and walking by the spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:25.) According to the Church Fathers, the goal of formal education is to allow a follower of Christ to come closer to God, to spread and defend the Faith, and to act as a good steward of His creation. The methodology used to impart spiritual and worldly knowledge must be equally God-centered.

Sunday School Policies:

TIME: 

 Sunday School will commence with the Communion Call of the Divine Liturgy. The congregation will please allow the Sunday School Teachers and children to receive Holy Communion first. Sunday School Teachers and students should then go immediately to their classrooms. Sunday school students will NOT be dismissed until 12:15 PM. At which time parents are encouraged to pick up their children from their classes. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE ENTIRE FAMILY BE IN CHURCH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DIVINE LITURGY AT 10:00 a.m.

ATTENDANCE:

 Regular and faithful attendance is crucial to the success of our Sunday School Program. An attendance policy will be in effect. Each class will have a system of reward and celebration for these children who have perfect attendance and other achievements, twice a year. Of course, attendance depends on parental commitment.

OFFERING:

 Each child is encouraged to make an offering to God for His Glory. Students will be given envelopes by their parents in order to bring their offering each Sunday.

YOUTH STEWARDSHIP: 

Youth Stewardship is a very important program of our Youth Ministries. Like our Community Stewardship Program, the Youth Stewardship Programs main goal is to develop a deep Christ centered commitment in each member of Christ’s body to the growth and development of His Holy Church. We ask each young person to reflect on God’s many blessings, and to return to him an offering out of gratitude.

We speak in terms of Time, Talent and Treasure; the 3 T’s. In as much as this program is primarily didactic, the parish pledges to place all revenues realized from this program into the growth fund, as a trust for their(our) future.

Toddlers: There is a nursery for toddlers and infants 3 years old and younger. This is a place for you and your child to be in together. Please do not leave your children unattended!

 

 

TODDLER SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

AGES:

2 to 4 years of age

CLASS GOALS:

The overall goal of Orthodox Christian Education is to help bring every person into a life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity (Theosis). The same goal may alternately be described as growing to mature personhood, to the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13) or as living and walking by the spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:25.) According to the Church Fathers, the goal of formal education is to allow a follower of Christ to come closer to God, to spread and defend the Faith, and to act as a good steward of His creation. The methodology used to impart spiritual and worldly knowledge must be equally God-centered.

TEACHERS:

Maureen Zeidan & Niveen Hanna

 

 

CIRRICULUM: The Wonder of It All

CIRRICULUM SUMMARY:

The Wonder of It All, produced by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, is designed for students ages 4 and under with the goal of helping younger students see the wonder of God in the creation and life that they participate in all around them. The class curriculum includes twenty-four lessons of planned around activities on everyday life themes—growth, food, playing, plants. It will seek to build an awareness of the wonders of the world around them as a basis for a liturgical sense of wonder and awe and a foundation for prayer. For our younger students, these lessons will include songs, dances, and many other activities.




PRE-K TO 1ST GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

AGES: 5 to 7 years of age

CLASS GOALS:

The overall goal of Orthodox Christian Education is to help bring every person into a life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity (Theosis). The same goal may alternately be described as growing to mature personhood, to the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13) or as living and walking by the spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:25.) According to the Church Fathers, the goal of formal education is to allow a follower of Christ to come closer to God, to spread and defend the Faith, and to act as a good steward of His creation. The methodology used to impart spiritual and worldly knowledge must be equally God-centered.

TEACHERS:

Madalina Body & Katie Rivers

 

CIRRICULUM: Together With God

CIRRICULUM SUMMARY:

Together With God, produced by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, is designed for young students with the goal of helping introduce them to the liturgical life of the Church. This thirty-one lesson curriculum emphasizes key concepts and a craft or activity for each lesson. The lessons in the student’s books are complete with photos, illustrations and simple text for Kindergarten age students. It introduces the child to the Divine Liturgy and some of the major Church feasts defining their religious meaning.






2ND TO 5TH GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

AGES: 8 to 12 years of age

CLASS GOALS:

The overall goal of Orthodox Christian Education is to help bring every person into a life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity (Theosis). The same goal may alternately be described as growing to mature personhood, to the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13) or as living and walking by the spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:25.) According to the Church Fathers, the goal of formal education is to allow a follower of Christ to come closer to God, to spread and defend the Faith, and to act as a good steward of His creation. The methodology used to impart spiritual and worldly knowledge must be equally God-centered.

TEACHERS:

Michael James & Julia Macovei

 

CIRRICULUM: We Worship God in Church 

CIRRICULUM SUMMARY:

We Worship God in Church, produced by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, is designed with the goal of introducing the Divine Liturgy to primary age children. Teachers will be introducing concepts and educating students about the significance of actions and words found within the Divine Liturgy. The curriculum has lessons that are supplemented with Bible stories and by materials meant to help illustrate liturgical themes and concepts. Student’s books include 28 lessons with illustrations, text, directions, and activities to reach the basic concepts of the lessons presented in class. 

 



GOYA SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

AGES: 13 to 18 years of age

CLASS GOALS:

The overall goal of Orthodox Christian Education is to help bring every person into a life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity (Theosis). The same goal may alternately be described as growing to mature personhood, to the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13) or as living and walking by the spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:25.) According to the Church Fathers, the goal of formal education is to allow a follower of Christ to come closer to God, to spread and defend the Faith, and to act as a good steward of His creation. The methodology used to impart spiritual and worldly knowledge must be equally God-centered.

TEACHERS:

Matthew Beckett 

CIRRICULUM: Journey Through the Divine Liturgy 

CIRRICULUM SUMMARY:

Journey Through the Divine Liturgy, written by Archpriest Constantine Nasr, is a 37-lesson journey through the actions, meditations, prayers, and worship of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. It is designed to help students experience the risen and living Christ through in the Divine Liturgy in a meaningful and authentic way. The study looks at the biblical and living roots of Divine Liturgy through the lens of Holy Tradition. It is also seeks to awaken each student to the depth of meaning and beauty within the Liturgy, which culminates in the revelation of God given to us through a meal of thanksgiving. 

 

 

Sunday School Class Schedule

FALL 2021

 
SEPTEMBER

12 – Registration Sunday – Sunday before the exaltation Holy Cross

19 – Sunday after Holy Cross – Classes begin.

26 – The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian – Church 10:15am - Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon. 

OCTOBER

 3 – 2nd Sunday of Luke – Church 10:15 - Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon. Sermonette Sunday (before Holy Communion.) First Sunday of every month 

10 – 3rd Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon.  Class photos Sunday after the completion of class.

17 – Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon.

Altar boys meeting!

23 – 6th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon. 

Teachers & Assistants meeting - At the Fellowship Hour (Discussion – Christmas Pageant, Class progress report

30 – 5th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon

NOVEMBER

 

 7 – 7th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon. Sermonette Sunday (before Holy Communion.) First Sunday of every month

14 – 8th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon.

21 – The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple –  Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon.   

28 –  13th Sunday of Luke –  NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING RECESS

DECEMBER

 

5 – 10th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon. Sermonette Sunday (before Holy Communion.) First Sunday of every month.

12 – 11th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon Rehearsal for Christmas Pageant

19 –  Sunday before Nativity – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon Christmas Pageant Celebration. Breakfast with Santa! Lighting of Christmas Tree Celebration. Christmas caroling

26 – Sunday After Nativity – NO CLASSES Christmas Recess   

 

JANUARY

 

2 – Sunday before Epiphany – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon. Sermonette Sunday (before Holy Communion.) First Sunday of every month. 

9 – Sunday after Epiphany – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon TBD

The Epiphany Cross throwing in the water. All youth, ages 9 and up, with parental consent participate in retrieving the cross from the waters.

16 – 12th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon.

23 – 14th Sunday of Luke – Class 11:10 am – 12 Noon

30 – Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom 

The Sunday school cutting and distribution of Vasilopita

Presentation of the Three Hierarchs by the 4th Grade Class.




FALL/WINTER YOUTH EVENTS CALENDAR 2021

 

OCTOBER 2021

  • TRUNK OR TREAT (HOPE & JOY + GOYA VOLUNTEERS)
    • DATE: 10/30/21 | SATURDAY

NOVEMBER 2021

  • MOVIE ON THE LAWN (ALL AGES)
    • DATE: 11/13/21 | SATURDAY

DECEMBER 2021

  • SAINT NICHOLAS EVENT (HOPE & JOY)
    • DATE: 12/4/21 | SATURDAY
  • DORMITION CHRISTMAS PLAY
    • DATE: 12/19/21 | SUNDAY

JANUARY 2021

  • GOYA VASILOPITA EVENT (GOYA - AGES 13-18)
    • DATE: 1/22/22 | SATURDAY
  • THREE GREAT HIERARCHS PRESENTATION (JOY - AGES 9-10)
    • DATE: 1/30/22 | SUNDAY



Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

- Proverbs 22:6

 

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Wisdom, let us be attentive! (Sophia Orthoi!)