Dear Friends,
In the month of January our holy Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Theophany, when our Lord was baptized in the river Jordan and the Trinity was revealed for the first time. In January we also remember many of the Fathers of our Church who defended the doctrine of the Trinity, and the ascetic saints who supported them. The epistle reading for ascetic saints is Galatians 5:22-6:2. In this lesson we share resources to help your students briefly review the doctrine of the Trinity, learn this verse, and come to understand the acquisition of the Holy Spirit as the goal of our life.
Attached in this edition are materials designed to work together for a complete lesson:
The Lesson Plan: A comprehensive guide for Grades K–7. It connects the included homily to St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, offering discussion questions tailored to every age.
The Homily: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit by Metropolitan Augoustinos of Florina. This short, powerful reading expounds upon each fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Acquisition of the Holy Spirit: A conversation of St. Seraphim of Sarov with Motovilov, helping older students understand that the goal of the Christian life is to acquire the Holy Spirit.
Holy Fathers of January: A brief guide highlighting the Fathers of our Church commemorated in January who defended the doctrine of the Trinity, and the ascetic saints who supported them (such as St. Athanasios and his spiritual father, St. Anthony).
Activity Sheets: Two fun activities—a Maze and a Scripture Trace—to help younger children memorize the fruits of the Holy Spirit while practicing their fine motor skills.
We’d love to hear what inspired you this week, or how you used the materials. Feel free to reply or leave a comment, and share this issue with someone who might find it helpful.
In Christ,
Three Hierarchs Academy Press
