August 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist

August 29th

John the Baptist was Jesus cousin. He was a very holy man. We call him The Forerunner because he started preaching that the Christ was coming before Jesus began his ministry.

He lived almost like a monk, his icon shows him wearing fur or green clothes to remind us that he lived close to nature.

John was a prophet. He told everyone God’s important news. John’s followers were baptized to wash their sins off and make them ready to follow Jesus.

We remember John the Baptist on August 29th. He was killed by an evil woman who tricked a powerful man into having him executed. John spoke the truth about her naughty life and she felt bad but did not ask for God to forgive her. Instead she got angry and got a man to cut off his head.

Throughout history his head has been lost and then found!

I hope you enjoy coloring The icon of John the Baptist, God’s messenger (just like angels). Remember he lived in the desert, so he wears green and angel wings are yellow or orange.

Find John’s head under crafts!

Dormition of Theotokos

The Falling Asleep of Mary the Mother of God

Theotokos

August 15th

Mary was a special girl from the moment she was born to the moment she died. Her parents prayed to God for a miracle because they wanted a child, and He gave them Mary. When she was a kid her parents brought her to live at the Holy Temple to be taught all God’s rules by the priests.

Then as a teenager God sent an angel to ask her if she would bring His son into the world and raise Him. She accepted this very special job and gave birth to Jesus on Christmas. Mary became the first Christian, believing that He was God’s Son. She encouraged Jesus to do God’s good work. She went with Him when He preached. And when Jesus died for everyone’s sins, Mary was there. She helped bury Jesus’ body and was there for His Resurrection on Holy Pascha.

Eventually Mary was an old lady. One day she fell asleep and didn’t wake up. All Jesus friends came to say goodbye. And just like she was there for Jesus, He came and carried His Mom up to Heaven. She has a special spot in Heaven, close to Jesus Christ where she is still there for us. She prays and prays to Jesus and can help us when we ask.

Here is a small piece of Paraklesis to try as a prayer

To the Theotokos, let us run now most fervently,

As sinners and lowly ones,

Let us fall down in repentance,

Crying from the depths of our soul:

Lady, come and help us,

Have compassion upon us;

Hasten now for we are lost

In the host of our errors;

Do not turn your servants away,

For you alone are a hope to us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

-Amen

Transfiguration

Transfiguration of Christ

August 6th

When Jesus told His students that He was going to leave soon, they had bad attitudes. They were sad and didn’t understand why He would go away. So Jesus took Peter, James and John and hiked up Mount Tabor.

Mt Tabor is mentioned throughout the Old Testament. It was a Holy place, up high close to God. It was also important for its view of the land. The military used it, and travelers used it. It was safe because you could see for a long way off.

Jesus used it to show His students something new.

All of a sudden Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus’ clothes turned white. The disciples (Jesus’ students) heard a voice say, “This is my Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him”. Peter, John, and James all knew this was the voice of God. They fell down on the ground and covered their faces until Jesus touched them and said, “Rise and don’t be afraid”. When they looked up, their teacher looked normal and the prophets, Moses and Elijah were gone. Nobody else had climbed up the mountain, and nobody was climbing down, or the disciples would have been able to see them. It wasn’t a trick. Jesus wanted His students to understand that He was on Earth for a reason, and soon He was going home to Heaven. God wanted to show the disciples that Jesus was telling the Truth.

Hymn for Transfiguration

On the Mountain you were transfigured, Oh Christ God,

and Your disciples beheld Your Glory as far as they could see it,

so that when they would see You crucified,

they would understand that your suffering is voluntary

and would proclaim to the world

that You are Truly the Radiance (Light) of (God) the Father