New site

As of November 2018 

all new coloring pages and crafts will be at

https://sites.google.com/view/sparks-for-orthodox-kids/home

October 2018

Saint Innocent

St Innocent by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

October 6th

Saint Innocent was from Russia. He grew up north of Mongolia! He became bishop of all the tiny islands from Russia to Alaska and also Alaska. These Islands are called the Aleutian Islands. Saint Innocent traveled across the frigid wilderness to foster the Orthodox communities in these tiny villages. He worked relentlessly to educate his churches. He translated the Gospel into many of the native languages. 

Above you can see the Our Father in Iniktitut (from the website below).

http://www.krassotkin.ru/sites/prayer.su/other/all-languages.html

Protection of Theotokos

Protection of Theotokos by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

October 1st 

This is Mary, Mother of our Lord, standing on a

 cloud and holding her cloak out to protect all underneath.

September 2018

A special addition for the Baptism of my little girl!

Baptism by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

Saint Kassiani or Kassia

Saint Kassiani by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

September 7th

Kassiani, as we hear so much, was a pretty girl from a wealthy family. She was even chosen for the "beauty pageant" of young girls for the Emperor to choose a wife from! He saw Kassiani was very pretty and wanted to see if she was smart so he said, "From woman sin came into the world." She replied, "and from woman came salvation" (How did Christ come into the world to save us?). She was clever! Well, he didn't like that so picked someone else to marry and she eventually became Abbess at a monastery!

While she lived in the monastery, she had lots of time to write poems and hymns to God! Every year before Pascha, we sing a hymn written by her on Holy Wednesday. She is the earliest known woman composer with hymns still used! 

August 2018

See August 2017 for- John the Baptist, Dormition of Theotokos, and Transfiguration

August 5th

St Nonna By Sparks for Orthodox Kids

Saint Nonna is best known as mother of Saint Gregory the Theologian. She was a Christian woman who married a pagan man. She prayed and worked hard to convince her husband to stop worshiping animals and follow the true God. She was rewarded with a faithful husband who eventually became bishop. She worked just as hard to raise her children in Christian virtues. Three of her children are recognized saints! When her children were adults and had moved away, Nonna got sick and refused to eat. She ate bread brought to her in a vision by her son Gregory. She believed the vision so strongly that he body got stronger.

July 2018

July 1st

Unmercenaries Cosmas & Damian by Sparks

These brothers from Rome both became doctors. They grew up as Christians and their parents taught them to live piously so they didn't take money for healing people. They are called unmercenaries because mercenaries take money for fighting so these brothers are the opposite, they healed for free. It is said that God granted them with the gift of healing many illnesses as well as leading many people to Christianity with their examples of a strong spiritual path. 

July 8th

Saint Morwenna of Morwenstow by Sparks

Morwenna was an Irish princess who became a monk but decided to live in Wales atop a cliff in Cornwall. She carried stones from the bottom of the cliff to the top to build a church for the nearby village. A spring under the cliff marks the place she quarried her stones!

July 8th

Our lady of Sitka by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

This is a special icon of the Theotokos at a church in Alaska! It is said that the gaze of the Holy Mother in this icon can heal. It is a Russian style icon by Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky in the Church of Archangel Michael. 

July 13

Archangel Gabriel by Sparks

Gabriel is one of God's special messengers. It was his job to talk to Mary about being Jesus' mother!

June 2018

All Saints (of America)- June 3rd

All Saints of America by Sparks for Orthodox kids

We just had Memorial Day to remember the soldiers who have defended our country. These saints brought Orthodoxy to our country. All saints of America intercede for us!

The universe offers You the God-bearing martyrs,

As the first fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator.

Through the Theotokos, and their prayers establish Your Church in peace!

Old Testament Prophets
 Elisha (June 14) and Amos (June 15) 

Prophets Elisha and Amos by Sparks for Orthodox kids

The prophet Elisha did many miracles using water. Water is very important in the desert- Why? Elisha also healed Lepers from their disease and brought a man back from death.


Amos was a shepherd in the land of Zebulon. God sent him to warn The People that God was unhappy with King Jeroboam's evil ways. He told the Israelites to repent and follow God's Laws.

Nativity of John the Baptist - June 24th

Nativity of John the Baptist by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

Happy Birthday John the Baptist!

Today his mother Elizabeth gave birth to her only baby. John was so special because she didn't think she could have children. 

His father was Zachariah a priest. An Angel told him that God was going to give them a baby. Zachariah didn't believe it because they were old enough to be Grandparents! 

God kept His promise. Have you heard the story of when Mary, the Theotokos, visited Elizabeth while they were both pregnant?

May 2018

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.

Ascension - 40 days after Pascha

Ascension by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

Jesus wears white and yellow (yellow)

What color is the circle He sits in?

Ascend means raise up. This is the day we remember Christ going up to Heaven to live with God the Father.

November 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

Synaxis of the Archangels

Sparks- Archangels

November 8th

Apostle Philip

Sparks- Apostle Philip

November 14th

Saint Gregory Palamas

Sparks- St. Gregory Palamas

November 15th

October Craft

Night Light

I was inspired by a Halloween craft, but decided it was cuter as a night light for angels to watch over my little Spark in his new big boy bed!

You will need:

• 16 popsicle sticks
• hot glue
• parchment paper- trace 4 images
• paint
• battery operated votive candle

Step 1- Glue the popsicle sticks into 4 squares

Step 2- Trace images onto parchment paper

Step 3- Let your little Sparks paint each picture

Step 4- Glue the 4 squares into a box and the papers onto each side

Step 5- Light the votive and enjoy!

October 2017

Lets start with Halloween!

As a convert I am still searching to balance my Orthodox Christianity with "normal" American culture.  

Here are a few articles by priests on the question of whether or not we should participate, I hope you find them useful. 

• Here is advise from the Antiochian Archdiocese, written by Father George Morelli

Smart Parenting XIX- Halloween

He gives a thorough overview and history of Halloween followed with suggestions.

• Here is an article or reflection on Halloween by Father Mark Sietsema at the Mystagogy Resource Center but I found it on Saint Mary's Orthodox Church in Cambridge MA

Who's Afraid of Halloween?

He gives a more personal reflection on Halloween.

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

October 6th

Saint Thomas was a young fisherman from the same area as Jesus, they are both from Galilee. He left his job fishing to become a student of Jesus. After Jesus was arrested and crucified he appeared to his disciples but Thomas wasn't there. In the Gospel on Pascha we read that Thomas wouldn't believe until he got to see Jesus for himself.


Enjoy coloring your icon:
This icon shows Saint Thomas touching Jesus' wound. Both he and Jesus wear red and blue.

Forefather Abraham

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

October 9

The Righteous Forefather Abraham lived a long long time ago. He was a good man and did what God wanted him to do. God told him that he would be the Father of all God's people. They were the first ancestors of Jesus.

Enjoy coloring your icon:

This icon is called "The Hospitality of Abraham" it shows Abraham and his wife Sara serving three angels. The three angels represent God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

Saint Luke the Evangelist and Apostle

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

October 18th

Saint Luke was a doctor from Syria. He heard of Jesus and went to Israel to learn. After becoming a follower of Jesus he traveled around to teach others. He ended up in Egypt telling people about Jesus. 

Saint Luke is important because he wrote the book of Acts in the Bible and he was also the first person to paint an icon of Mary, Jesus' Mother, who we also call the Theotokos.


Enjoy coloring your icon:
This icon shows Saint Luke with his icon of the Theotokos, above him is a bull with a Gospel book. The bull represents Luke, each of the four writers of the Gospel have a special animal. Saint Luke wears green and red.

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

Prophet Hosea 

October 17

Prophet Joel

October 19

Do you remember who the prophets were, what was their special job for God?

The Prophet Hosea lived long before Jesus, but the Holy Spirit told him about Jesus Christ. He told people that Jesus would be born and our relationship with God will change!


The Prophet Joel also lived long before Jesus, and the Holy Spirit told him that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed.


Enjoy coloring your icon:
Hosea wears red and blue and Joel wears green and orange

Apostle James, The Brother of the Lord

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

October 23

September 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

Moses the Godseer and Prophet

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

September 4th

Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's royal family as a baby. But when we got older he ran away and lived as a shepherd. He was an old man when God chose him to save the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Moses loved his family and didn't want to leave to do God's special job.

God knew that Moses was the right man for this job. To convince Moses, God talked to Moses in a big voice.

It took a long time for Moses to get the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. They started a long adventure in the desert, going to land God gave them.

On their long walk through the desert, God gave Moses laws. We call these The Ten Commandments.

https://kathyhutto.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/ten-commandments-poster/

Moses was a very important man. He brought God's news to the people. He saved the Jews from slavery. He saw God and heard His voice. He gave us God's Law. He lived a very long time doing God's special work.

Zacharias the Prophet

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

September 5th

We talk about John the Baptist a lot. What do you know about him?

Zacharias was a priest of God in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When he was an old man with no children, an angel appeared and told Zacharias that God loved him and hears his prayers. God decided to give them a baby boy.

Zacharias is the father of John the Baptist.

But Zacharias was so surprised and didn't believe the angel. Because Zacharias didn't believe the angel he could not talk until the baby was born. Imagine that, a priest who could not talk until next summer!

When the baby was born everyone wanted to know what to call him. Zacharias was filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, then he could talk again.

When the evil King Herod sent his soldiers to look for baby Jesus; Zacharias protected his baby from the soldiers; the soldiers killed him. He loved his special boy so much!

Nativity of the Theotokos

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

September 8th

We are celebrating the birthday of the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We know His grandparents were named Anna and Joachim. They were old and had been praying to God for a long time to give them a baby.

Can you think of anyone else who prayed to God a long time for a baby?

September Craft

September's Craft

We decided to make crosses for Exaltation.

You will need:

• craft glue
• craft sticks (we save popcicle sticks)
• paint
• good scissors
• paper plates (optional)

Glue sticks into a cross allow time for it to dry. I added layers for strength. My older Spark glued his own, but the younger one did not, so you decide how much to prepare for your little ones. Then let them have at it to decorate! I also glued crosses onto paper plates as an alternative for my little one, it worked well since he doesn't really understand "decorating" yet!

August Craft

As a follow up to the collage "I am part of God's Creation" make an "I spy" tube! We used paper towel tubes that they decorated with crayons, markers and stickers. During nap-time I coated them with Modge-Podge glue to add some durability and waterproofing! They have lasted over a week, although one disappeared.

We also made John the Baptist head spin-

It may be easier to use the "printer friendly section to print John's icon

You will need:

• John the Baptist printout and head
• sharp knife
• paint/crayons/markers 
• small paper plate or paper circle
• pin fastener for center pivot

1)

2) Cut out both places for his head

3) Secure his head to plate (before it wanders off!)

3) Let your Spark enjoy!

4) Pin the plate so the head can spin from one spot to the other

5) Enjoy!

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