Parables of repentence
Who does the shepherd in the parable of the Lost Sheep represent?
and what does the lost sheep represent?
The shepherd represents our Lord Jesus Christ "the Good Shephard"
The lost sheep represent the sinners
what is meant by a church sacrament?
What are the 7 sacramenta?
and what are the 4 sacraments necessary for salvation?
A sacrament is a grace or gift from God that we don’t see with our eyes. We receive it when we practice the rites and prayers performed by a priest, with a seen matter (what we use in the Sacrament).
After receiving the Sacrament, the Spirit of God fills us and sanctifies us.
The 7 Sacraments
We learn how we abide in the Lord Jesus Christ and He abides in us through the Sacraments of the Church.
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Repentance and Confession
Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion)
Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick
Sacrament of Matrimony (Marriage)
Sacrament of Priesthood
There are 4 Sacraments necessary for salvation, that all children of God MUST receive:
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Repentance and Confession
Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion)
Which book did Ezra write and where to find this book and which story it tells?
Ezra kept what he learned and taught it to the people, even when they were in captivity. He wrote a book in the Old Testament that tells the story of their return from captivity (The Book of Ezra).
What was the church of Alexandria known for from the early days of Christianity?
What is meant by Ecumenical council?
The Church of Alexandria was known from the early days of Christianity for holding firmly to the true faith. The Church Fathers sacrificed so much, even their lives, to give this faith to us without change.
An Ecumenical Council is a meeting attended by the leaders of the church from around the world to discuss an issue related to the faith.
what is the role of the monks in our church?
Monks established orders of monasticism and had a great role in the Church.
This important role includes praying for the world, preserving the faith, and leaving us their teachings and sayings.
In the parable of the lost coin,
what does the woman, the lamp, the coin and the lost coin represent?
The woman represents the church
the lamp represents the word of God (the holy Bible)
The coin represents each one of us created in the image of God
The lost coin represents the sinners and how the image of God becomes distorted in them
What are the blessings that we receive through the sacrament of Baptism?
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we receive many blessings:
Salvation from the Original Sin: We are freed from the original sin inherited because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, since all humanity was in Adam. By being baptized, we accept the redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, and our nature is renewed.
We Become Sons of God: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)
Membership in the Body of Christ: We become members of the Body of Christ: therefore, everyone who is baptized can partake of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom of God is Opened for Us: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
What happened to the Israelites when they were not obeying God?
and where they were taken captives to?
There was a time when the Israelites were not obeying God’s word and were doing wrong things. This caused God’s wrath to come upon them. As a result, God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to conquer them in their war with the Babylonians, and they were taken captive in Babylon. They lived there for many years, awaiting God’s mercy.
Which council was the first ecumenical council?
which heresy it discussed?
The Council of Nicaea was the first Ecumenical Council that was convened to discuss the heresy of Arius.
What vision did St. Macarius father see?
What does the name “Macarius” mean?
In a vision, his father saw the angel of the Lord, who told him he would have a son. The angel also said that his son would become a father to many spiritual children.
Macarius, means “blessed.”
complete these 2 verses:
"There will be more joy in .............over ........... .............who repents than over ......................... just persons who need no........................." (Luke 15:7)
"I will arise and go to ..................... and , and will say to him, Father I have...............against .........and before..............,and I am no longer be worthy to be called .............. ............... .make me like one of your hired ................ . (Luke 15:18)
"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."
"I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’"
In the sacrament of confirmation, the priest anoints the person with which oil and how many times and what are the blessings that we receive through the sacrament of confirmation?
Immediately after Baptism, we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this Sacrament, the priest anoints the person 36 times with the Holy Myron oil on all parts of the body.
hrough the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive many blessings:
The Holy Spirit lives in us.
The Holy Spirit enlightens us and teaches us everything.
The Holy Spirit sanctifies us for God.
how long did the Israelites stayed in captivity?
in how many groups they returned?
Which group did Ezra led?
After 70 years, they returned from Babylon in 3 groups.
Ezra led the second group in their return to Jerusalem and taught the people the word of God.
When the council of Nicaea was held?
How many Bishops attended the council of Nicaea?
Arius’ wrong teachings reached Emperor Constantine, who called for a council to take place in Nicaea in the year 325 A.D.
he council was attended by 318 bishops and continued for 3 months.
what did St. Macarius do after his father departed?
Who guided St. Macarius to the wilderness of Scetis?
After his father departed, he gave all his money to the poor and lived in a cell outside his village.
While walking, he saw a cherubim (an angel) who walked before him for 2 days until he arrived at the wilderness of Scetis. The cherubim told him to live there and that he would be with him.
in the parable of the prodigal son:
What does the the son ,the father ,putting the best robe on the son, the ring on the son's finger, the sandals on the son's feet, the fattened calf represent?
The son represents anyone who leaves God (our Father) and His house (the Church), falls into sin, but then repents and returns. God accepts us with joy.
The father represents God, who is very loving toward all His children. He patiently waits for the sinner’s return, accepts him, welcomes him with open arms, and gives him many blessings.
Putting the best robe on him represents the Sacrament of Baptism and the renewal of our nature.
The ring on his finger represents becoming children of God.
The sandals on his feet represent the Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings and commandments.
The fattened calf represents giving us His Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, so that we may abide in Him and He in us.
What are the 3 sacraments that are not necessary for salvation (not everyone receives them)?
complete the verses:
our Lord Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to "Heal the ............, cleanse the............." (Matthew 10:8)
The disciples " anointed with......... many who were..............., and healed them" (Mark 6:13)
and he answered and said to them ,"Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning 'made them......... and ............., and said for this reason a......... shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his.........,and the two shall become......... ..............? so then they are no longer two but........ flesh. Therefore what God has............. together, let not man..............." (Matthew 19:4-6)
here are 3 sacraments that are not necessary for salvation, not everyone receives them:
Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick
Sacrament of Matrimony (Marriage)
Sacrament of Priesthood
Unction of the Sick
Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to:
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers.” (Matthew 10:8)
The disciples:
“anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:13)
Matrimony (Marriage)
“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”** (Matthew 19:4-6)
Who was Ezra?
When was Ezra a great leader to the people?
complete the verse :
For..........had set his heart to study the Law of the............,and to.........it, and to.............statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10)
Ezra was a priest from the tribe of Levi and a scribe, which is a person who writes down the word of God.
Ezra was a great leader to the people during captivity, while returning to Jerusalem, and after the captivity.
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)
What did St. Athanasius do in the council of Nicaea ?
Why he was given the title "the Apostolic"?
After departure of Pope Alexandros, who became the 20th Pope of Alexandria?
Complete the verses :
in the beginning was the........., and the .........was with God and the ........ was God? (John 1:1)
"I and my father are .........." (John 10:30)
" He who has seen me has seen the..........;so how can you say show us the.........? (John 14:19)
St. Athanasius bravely responded to Arius and refuting his heresy with verses from the Holy Bible and examples.
He was given the title ‘the Apostolic’ because he kept the faith as it was received from the apostles.
After the departure of Pope Alexandros, St. Athanasius became the 20th Pope of Alexandria.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
“I and My Father are one.”** (John 10:30)
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say show us the Father?”** (John 14:9)
What did St. Anthony say when he met St. Macarius?
St. Macarius went to St. Anthony to be his disciple. When St. Anthony saw him, he told him, “You shall be blessed as your name”, and taught him the monastic life.
the 3 parables in Luke 15 represent 3 types of sinners: what are the 3 types of sinners?
The Lost Sheep represents those who strayed from God because of their lack of knowledge and going after their desires
The Lost Coin represents those who don't know they are lost; they have gone astray because of the influence of others
The Lost Son ( The Prodigal Son) represents those who turned away from God by their own will.
complete the verses regarding sacrament of repentance and confession and sacrament of Eucharist and mention the blessings that we receive from these 2 sacraments and explain who instituted the sacrament of Eucharist and when?
"Whatever you .......... on earth will be bound in ..............., and whatever you .................on earth will be loosened in ......................"
"If you ............the sins of any , they are................ them ;if you ........ the sins of any, they are................"
He took bread, blessed and broke, gave to the disciples saying " Take eat this is My ........." He took the cup of the juice of the vine, gave to the disciples saying " drink from it all of you. For this is My ........ of the new covenant which is shed for many for the ............ of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28)
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)
He also said,
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 21:23)
✝️ Blessings of the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession
Through the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession, we receive many blessings:
We return to our Lord Jesus Christ and He accepts us.
Forgiveness of our sins.
📖 Verses – Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion)
He took bread, blessed and broke, gave to the disciples saying,
“Take eat; this is My body.”
He took the cup of the juice of the vine, gave to the disciples saying,
“Drink from it all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
✝️ Who Instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist and When
Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted this Sacrament on Great Thursday in the upper room of St. Mark’s house, before His crucifixion.
✝️ Blessings of the Sacrament of the Eucharist
Through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we receive many blessings:
Forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28)
Abiding in Christ (John 6:56)
Unity with the congregation (1 Corinthians 10:17)
Eternal life (John 6:54)
before the Israelites returned from captivity to Jerusalem, what did Ezra asked all the people to do?
What did Ezra do after returning from captivity when some of the people ignored the commandments of God and married Pagans?
He asked all the people to fast and pray to God to protect them.
Being a good leader, Ezra prayed to God and offered repentance for the people’s sins, even though he didn’t sin himself. He then called on the people to repent and confess their sins.
His prayers and tears were the reasons the people repented.
What are some of the decisions of the council of Nicaea?
Can you say the Orthodox creed?
How many times was St.Athanasius exiled?
Some of the decisions of the Council:
The excommunication of Arius (not being a part of the Church)
The formulation of the Orthodox Creed
At the end of the Council of Nicaea, they wrote the Creed up until ‘Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit’.
We continue to pray the Creed today; it is the foundation of our faith.
He was exiled 5 times for a total of 17 years.
We believe in one God, God the Father the Pantocrator who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, ascended to the heavens; He sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.
Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.
And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.
How did St. Macarius live in the wilderness and what did he do there?
He lived in the wilderness with God, and continued in prayers, fasting, and reading the holy books.
The cherubim used to visit him from time to time.
The devils fought him, but he used to pray, and God supported him.
He had many disciples who came to live next to him, learn from him ,and become monks.
St.Macarius continued to love God,performed many miracles,and became well known.
He continued to live a righteous life until his departure .