Why Use Signs?
Holy People
Light in the Cave
Scripture Snap
Icons of St.Paul's
100
Name one Nativity element that appears across centuries and places, showing continuity.
A: What is the cave / the Theotokos / Christ in the manger / the ox and donkey / the magi / the shepherds / Joseph with the tempter / the angels / the star’s ray? (Any one is correct.)
100
He is tempted to doubt, then obeys and guards the Child.
Who is Joseph the Betrothed?
100
The cave is dark on purpose. It shows this scary thing Christ came to defeat.
A: What is death (and the darkness of sin)?
100
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
A: What is John 1:14 and points to Christ's birth as human.
100
The icons in the Nave of our church show the events of _____.
What is the "events in the life of Saint Paul"?
200
In the Church, an icon isn’t decoration; it’s this kind of image that teaches the faith.
What is a holy sign for our rescue?
200
They hear the angels first and hurry to Bethlehem.
Who are the shepherds?
200
The baby is laid where animals eat. This hints that Jesus is this for the world.
What is the Bread of Life?
200
“An ___ knows its owner, and a ___ its master’s manger.”
What is Isaiah 1:3, which points to the ox and donkey? Jesus is the "bread of life" for the whole world.
200
Four events portrayed in these icons in the front of the sanctuary include...
What is the Crucifiction or Passion of Chirst, the Baptism of Christ, the Annunciation (the Theotokos says "yes" to bearing God), the Nativity of Christ, the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and Pascha? Any four is correct.
300
Like good safety signs, icons use stable symbols so anyone, anywhere, can “read” them. We know we can trust our Apostolic tradition, because it is ________ over time.
What is consistent?
300
They bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Who are the magi?
300
The ray from above landing right on the Child shows this about salvation.
A: What is that it comes from the Father—God takes the first step to save us?
300
“We saw His ____ in the east and have come to worship Him.”
A: What is Matthew 2:1–2, which points to the star and magi?
300
The traditional shape of all Orthodox churches and the shape of St. Paul's church building.
What is a cruciform/cross?
400
This art form—made of tiny pieces of stone or glass—often lasts longer than paint in old churches.
A: What is mosaic?
400
This hunched figure near Joseph represents doubt and temptation.
Who is the tempter, or the old man symbolizing the devil?
400
The swaddling cloths at His birth match the linens at His burial. This teaches what big truth.
A: What is “Nativity already points to Pascha”—He was born to die and rise?
400
“_____ treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
A: What is Luke 2:19, which points to the Theotokos reflecting on Christ's Pascha.
400
In the Dome, Christ is holding a book with these words...
What is "I am the beginning and the end."
500
Orthodox Christians do not worship icons, we ________ them because they connect us to our family in Christ, including saints, angels, the Theotokos and Christ Himself.
What is venerate?
500
They are the women bathing the Child Jesus showing He is truly human.
Who are the Midwives?
500
Dark cave below, shining light around Christ above. The whole layout is preaching this message.
What is “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t win”?
500
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him _________."
A: What is Isaiah 7:14, which points to the Theotokos? The missing word is Immanuel.
500
Fr. Steve refers to this icon as our Nativity icon. It is called the "Theotokos of the ______".
What is the "Theotokos of the Sign"?