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.
On Holy Wednesday evening, the Orthros (Matins) service usually takes place in anticipation of the following day. So the themes mentioned on Holy Wednesday evening are actually the ones relevant to Holy Thursday. The Mystical Supper is among them, and today’s craft is based on the icon of this fundamental for all Christians event. At the end of this page, you will find background information on the depiction of this scene in Orthodox iconography, which can help you accurately set up your craft.
Please note: This project is a religious education tool, not a toy – even though it isn’t, of course, an icon, the figures still represent our Lord and Saints; so kindly be mindful when creating your scene and when disposing of the pieces afterwards, thus helping the children acquire the appropriate respect.
THE MYSTICAL SUPPER
Popsicle stick icon-inspired scene
You will need:
- The printed templates provided in the kit (two pages)
- Thirteen popsicle sticks
- A pair of scissors
- Glue
- Thin marker and/or colored pencils
HOW TO MAKE THE CRAFT
Make the backdrop.
Cut out the halo and the table from the template. Then glue the table onto the background as shown in the photos below. Make sure to only glue the bottom and sides, not the top, so the table will act as a pocket to place the figures in.
Prepare the popsicle stick figures.
Glue the halo from the templates on the stick that will become the figure of Jesus, and color it to make Jesus stand out and also to discuss the colors of His garments. We used a thin marker to draw simple faces on both the Christ figure and the disciples, and wrote the name of each disciple on the bottom of each popsicle stick. Natalie’s son’s idea was to also add a paper arm to Judas Iscariot, so he can reach for the bread at the center of the table. If you want to also include this, you can make it out of a scrap piece of paper remaining after the templates are cut out, or out of plain paper.
Glue the halo onto the figure of Christ and use the colored pencils and/or markers to color His clothes, so there will be an opportunity to discuss about the way He looks in icons. Use the thin marker to draw simple faces on the figure of Christ and the Disciples. We also wrote each Disciple’s name. They are: Peter; John; Philip; Thomas; Judas Iscariot; Andrew; James the son of Zebedee; Bartholomew; Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot; and Jude or Thaddeus (Luke 6:12-16). We also used a scrap piece of paper to make a little arm for Judas Iscariot, so he can dip his bread in the bowl.
Ready! Slip the popsicle sticks in place while discussing the details of the icon and story. If you wish, you can use small pieces of double-sided tape to secure the figures in place.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BIBLE READING: Luke 22: 14-23
Icon of the day
Details on the Orthodox icon of the Mystical Supper.
Printable packet
Planner, fact sheets, worksheets, and flashcards.
Digital activities
Animated slideshow and a variety of games.
BACKGROUND
- Great and Holy Thursday, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
- Great and Holy Thursday, Orthodox Church in 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 