THANK YOU for your interest in our Holy Week Craft Kit! We are very excited to be taking this Christ-centered creative journey together with you. Please scroll down for a tutorial on how to make today’s craft and for additional teaching resources.
At church, on Holy Tuesday evening, the Orthros (Matins) service usually takes place in anticipation of the following day. So the themes mentioned on Holy Tuesday evening are actually the ones relevant to Holy Wednesday. The anointing of Christ with myrrh by the woman at Simon’s house in Bethany is among them.
HOLY TUESDAY EVENING – THE WOMAN WHO ANOINTED CHRIST WITH MYRRH AT SIMON’S HOUSE IN BETHANY
DIY “perfume”
You will need:
- The printed template provided in the kit with the decorative labels for this project
- Colorful embroidery thread or ribbon to hang the labels with
- A selection of spices, herbs, and/or aromatic tea such as cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, cardamom, allspice, vanilla, Earl Gray tea
- A wooden spoon
- Two small containers
- A strainer
- Lukewarm water
- One or more bottles or jars to store your “perfume” in
- A pair of scissors
- Glue or tape (double-sided works best)
- Optional: Food coloring and/or glitter
HOW TO MAKE THE CRAFT
Place the herbs and spices in a small container. Crush them with the back of the wooden spoon, then fill the container with lukewarm tap water. Let the mixture infuse for about 10 minutes, then strain it into another container. We had been reading about such “perfume” kid projects and we were skeptical – would using only water, without any other solvents, and no boiling, still work? Yes, it does!
Cut out shapes and labels from the templates provided and decorate your bottle and/or jar (the labels are enough to make more than one bottle or jar). Carefully pour your finished “perfume” into the bottle or jar. You can add a few drops of food coloring or a sprinkle of glitter for visual effect.
Ready! It can be used as a prop to help discuss the story of the day. We also consider this project an opportunity to discuss myrrh in general, and how it is an important component of our Faith (The gift of the Magi at the Nativity of Christ, the embalmment of our Lord’s Body after the Crucifixion, Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers, myrrh-streaming miracles). The “perfume” will keep at room temperature for 5-6 days.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BIBLE READING: Matthew 26: 6-13
Gospel Story
Details about the story that inspired today’s craft.
Printable packet
Planner, fact sheets, worksheets, and flashcards.
Digital activities
Animated slideshow and a variety of games.
BACKGROUND
- Great Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
- Great and Holy Tuesday, Orthodox Church in America
- Great and Holy Wednesday, Orthodox Church in America
- Services of the Bridegroom, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
This tutorial is part of the HOLY WEEK CRAFT KIT
by Orthodox Pebbles.
Special thanks to Presbytera Destinie of Ascetic Life of Motherhood for exploring the kit with her sweet little children and sharing wonderful photos with us.
Orthodox Pebbles 