Winter

You can browse our material by season to find something appropriate for a specific time of the year. Some resources may be relevant for more than one seasons. Our winter material is listed below, arranged in order according to the ecclesiastical calendar. Even though on our website we generally follow the calendar of the Greek Orthodox Church, on this list we are including the dates for both the Gregorian (“new”) and Julian (“old”) calendar.

Please note that the Search feature on the side or on the bottom of this page can also be used to navigate our content.

NATIVITY FAST/ADVENT::
November 15 to December 25 /
November 28 to January 6

Old Testament Connections

Free lesson plan: Explore nine Old Testament stories and their hidden connections to the New Testament according to the theology of the Orthodox Church. Crafts, worksheets and background information.

A different Jesse Tree

Free lesson plan: Background and teaching resources for an Orthodox approach to the popular Jesse Tree tradition of the Nativity season.

Craft kit: A different Jesse Tree

This teaching resource complements our two free lesson plans above and it consists of crafting templates and a pack of cards. Create a 3D Jesse tree based on the relevant Orthodox icon, and play games to reinforce the Old Testament stories, concepts and connections explored in our free Jesse Tree lesson plans.

Nativity Retreat

We would love to come to your own space to organize a creative and interactive educational event for young and old alike, focusing on the Old Testament connections to the Nativity of our Lord. Through a combination of professionally designed materials and a variety of exclusive resources, participants will gain a uniquely Orthodox understanding of the theology, icons, and hymns connected to the popular Jesse tree tradition of the Nativity season.

November 21 / December 4

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Free lesson plan: Digital and analog resources for teaching about the Feast.

The Entrance of the Theotokos: Fabric Learning Set

A hands-on teaching resource made out of soft fleece fabric to help teach about the Feast.

December 6 / 19

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, the Wonder-worker

Free lesson plan: Creative activities, worksheets and background information for teaching about the Saint.

December 25 / January 7

The Nativity of Christ: Our resource collection

Free lesson plans: An extensive collection of creative resources for exploring the Nativity of our Lord.

The Nativity of Christ: Fabric Learning Set

A hands-on teaching resource made out of soft fleece fabric to help teach about the Feast.

Play Dough Learning Mats: The Nativity of Christ

A tactile, sensory activity to help teach the theology and icon of this Great Feast.

January 1 / 14

Saint Basil the Great

Free lesson plan: Hands-on activities to teach about this greatly beloved Saint.

January 6 / 19

Holy Theophany and the Blessing of the Waters

Free lesson plan: Analog and digital activities for teaching about the Feast. This lesson could also work as a seasonal introduction to the Holy Mysteries teaching unit.

Holy Theophany DIY fabric learning set

A hands-on teaching resource made out of soft fleece fabric to help teach about the Feast.

January 30 / February 12

The Holy Three Hierarchs

Free lesson plan: Creative activities and background information to teach the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs.

February 2 / 15

The Meeting of our Lord

Free lesson plan: Analog and digital activities to teach the Great Feast of the Meeting of our Lord.

The Meeting of our Lord/Annunciation: Fabric Learning Set

A hands-on teaching resource made out of soft fleece fabric to help teach about two Great Feasts that are celebrated one after the other: The Meeting of our Lord and the Annunciation of the Theotokos.