Athanasius the Great - May 2nd
Saint Athanasius the Great by Sparks for Orthodox kids |
Color St Athanasius like a bishop.
Leave his belt white, it represents holiness and Truth.
Have you ever pretended to Baptie someone or maybe a toy?
As a boy young Athanasius played "Baptism" at the river with some other boys. The Patriarch Alexander saw the kids doing such a good job that he called the boys and their parents to his house to explain that the baptism was done so well that he sealed the baptized boys with holy oil to complete the Baptism with a Chrismation. The Patriarch kept an eye on young Athanasius and ordained him into the clergy. Eventually Athanasius took over as Patriarch too.
Irene of Thessalonica - May 5th
Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica by Sparks for Orthodox Kids |
Color her dress in purple and blue
Who else wears these colors?
Irene's father was a pagan and kept Irene inside so that she would not hear about Jesus. Her teacher was a Christian who taught her about God and Jesus. As a teenager she had a dream that her teacher explained. A dove landed on her, representing her education. It had an olive branch for God's grace, flowers showed her future success. Then came a raven and snake showing hard times in her future.
For the rest of her life she was bullied by many people. She refused to get married, instead she worked to teach people about the Good News of Jesus Christ. She taught thousands of people join our Church family.
Saint Brendan the Navigator - May 16th
Saint Brendan the Navigator by Sparks for Orthodox Kids |
Color the monks in dark robes.
What color does Jesus wear?
Brendan lived in Ireland but sailed all over spreading the Word of God. He may have even sailed to America before Columbus. Old maps show an island called "St Brendan's" but we don't know what island that is. Brendan sailed by the Holy Spirit, they had no plan. They lived their life on the sea and shared the Word of God with people they met.