Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2 Piman~epickopoc n~remn~,/mi The Coptic Orthodox n~oryodoxoc Diocese n~te niyws ethwtp etcar/c Of the Southern USA Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2 Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ I PREFACE ..............................................................................................................III INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... IV FILLER LESSONS....................................................................................................1 1- The Holy Bread.................................................................................................................. 2 2- The Lord Forgives St. Peter............................................................................................... 6 3- The Miracle of Al-Mokattam............................................................................................. 8 4- God’s Care for the Baby Moses....................................................................................... 11 5- God cares for Daniel in the Lions’ Den........................................................................... 14 6 - Cornelius Receives the Faith .......................................................................................... 17 7 - Jesus Christ Loves the Children ..................................................................................... 19 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER ........................................................21 Week 2- St. George the Princess of Martyrs........................................................................ 22 Week 3- Using the Cross ..................................................................................................... 24 Week 4 - God Calls Abraham .............................................................................................. 26 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER............................................................29 Week 1 - Abraham Separation from Lot.............................................................................. 30 Week 2 - Lot and His Wife .................................................................................................. 32 Week 3- God Cares for Hagar and Ishmael ......................................................................... 34 Week 4 - The Censer............................................................................................................ 36 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.........................................................39 Week 1 – St. Anastasia ........................................................................................................ 40 Week 2 - Daniel’s Three Friends in the Furnace ................................................................. 42 Week 3 - Jesus Calms a Storm............................................................................................. 44 Week 4 – Jesus Feeds Four Thousand People ..................................................................... 46 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER .........................................................49 Week 1- Philopater Marcorious ........................................................................................... 50 Week 2 - St. Nicholas: The Real Santa Claus...................................................................... 52 Week 3 - The Birth of John the Baptist................................................................................ 54 Week 4 – The Star of the East and The Wisemen................................................................ 56 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY ............................................................59 Week 1 - Epiphany: Baptizing children............................................................................... 60 Week 2 - The Tower of Babel.............................................................................................. 62 i Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2 Week 3 - God appears to Jacob............................................................................................ 64 Week 4 - Young Joseph’s Sweet Dreams ............................................................................ 66 BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY TILL JONAH’S FAST .................................................69 LESSONS FOR JONAH’S FAST...............................................................................71 Week before Fast - God Sends Joseph to Egypt .................................................................. 72 Week after Jonah’s Fast - God Saves Joseph From the Prison............................................ 74 LESSONS FOR THE GREAT FAST PERIOD ............................................................77 Week 0 - God Makes Joseph a Great Man........................................................................... 78 Week 1 - God Saves Jacob and His Children from Famine................................................. 80 Week 2 - Joseph Forgives his Brothers................................................................................ 83 Week 3 - Jacob Blesses His Grandsons ............................................................................... 85 Week 4 - Lord Christ Accepts Zacchaeus’ Invitation.......................................................... 87 Week 5 - The Good Samaritan............................................................................................. 89 Week 6 - The Angel Appears to the Maries......................................................................... 91 LESSONS FOR THE PENTECOST PERIOD..............................................................93 Week 1 - Anba Sarabamun .................................................................................................. 94 Week 2 - God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments ......................................................... 96 Week 3 - Ascension Day...................................................................................................... 98 Week 4 - The Sheep and the Goats .................................................................................... 100 Week 5 – Prayer: Anba Shenouda ..................................................................................... 102 Week 6 - St. Bishoy Washes Christ’s Feet ........................................................................ 104 Week 7- The Lord Christ Appears to St. Paul ................................................................... 106 THE APOSTLES’ FAST PERIOD ......................................................................... 109 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY ................................................................ 111 Week 2 - Elijah and the Raven........................................................................................... 112 Week 3 - Elijah and the Widow ......................................................................................... 114 Week 4 - God Accepts Elijah’s Sacrifice........................................................................... 116 LESSONS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST ........................................................... 119 Week 1 - Elijah and the Son of the Widow........................................................................ 120 Week 2 - St. Mary the Child .............................................................................................. 122 Week 3 - Elisha and the Jars of Oil.................................................................................... 124 Week 4 - The Prodigal Son ................................................................................................ 126 LESSON OF THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER.................................................. 129 Week 1- Behavior in the Lord’s House ............................................................................. 130 ii Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2 PREFACE The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Youssef, felt the pressing need for a modified Sunday School Curriculum which would be better suited to address the problems and issues facing children both in America and the lands of immigration. Therefore, the efforts and time of many faithful servants have been dedicated to modify and improve the presently used English translation of the syllabus published by the Youth Services Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. This has resulted in the elimination of many existing lessons from this syllabus and the substitution with new lessons that are more appropriate for our youth in American society. These additional lessons give greater consideration to the differences in quality of life, education, media influence, cultural differences and the surrounding diversity of beliefs between Egyptian society and that of the west We pray that God may bless this work for the spiritual growth of our children in the immigration countries. We also thank His Grace Bishop Youssef for his continued support, prayers and motivating guidance in this service. May God reward every servant who offered time and effort toward the completion of this Sunday School Curriculum. “ Thus Far The Lord Has Helped Us” (I Samuel 7:12) iii Sunday School Curriculum Grade 2 INTRODUCTION This grade 2 Sunday school curriculum has been modified by substituting 22 lessons from the previous curriculum published by the Youth Service Committee of the Coptic Orthodox
Recommended publications
  • Continuity and Tradition: the Prominent Role of Cyrillian Christology In
    Jacopo Gnisci Jacopo Gnisci CONTINUITY AND TRADITION: THE PROMINENT ROLE OF CYRILLIAN CHRISTOLOGY IN FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CENTURY ETHIOPIA The Ethiopian Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest in the world. Its clergy maintains that Christianity arrived in the country during the first century AD (Yesehaq 1997: 13), as a result of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-39). For most scholars, however, the history of Christianity in the region begins with the conversion of the Aksumite ruler Ezana, approximately during the first half of the fourth century AD.1 For historical and geographical reasons, throughout most of its long history the Ethiopian Church has shared strong ties with Egypt and, in particular, with the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. For instance, a conspicuous part of its literary corpus, both canonical and apocryphal, is drawn from Coptic sources (Cerulli 1961 67:70). Its liturgy and theology were also profoundly affected by the developments that took place in Alexandria (Mercer 1970).2 Furthermore, the writings of one of the most influential Alexandrian theologians, Cyril of Alexandria (c. 378-444), played a particularly significant role in shaping Ethiopian theology .3 The purpose of this paper is to highlight the enduring importance and influence of Cyril's thought on certain aspects of Ethiopian Christology from the early developments of Christianity in the country to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Its aim, therefore, is not to offer a detailed examination of Cyril’s work, or more generally of Ethiopian Christology. Rather, its purpose is to emphasize a substantial continuity in the traditional understanding of the nature of Christ amongst Christian 1 For a more detailed introduction to the history of Ethiopian Christianity, see Kaplan (1982); Munro-Hay (2003).
    [Show full text]
  • SYNAXARION, COPTO-ARABIC, List of Saints Used in the Coptic Church
    (CE:2171b-2190a) SYNAXARION, COPTO-ARABIC, list of saints used in the Coptic church. [This entry consists of two articles, Editions of the Synaxarion and The List of Saints.] Editions of the Synaxarion This book, which has become a liturgical book, is very important for the history of the Coptic church. It appears in two forms: the recension from Lower Egypt, which is the quasi-official book of the Coptic church from Alexandria to Aswan, and the recension from Upper Egypt. Egypt has long preserved this separation into two Egypts, Upper and Lower, and this division was translated into daily life through different usages, and in particular through different religious books. This book is the result of various endeavors, of which the Synaxarion itself speaks, for it mentions different usages here or there. It poses several questions that we cannot answer with any certainty: Who compiled the Synaxarion, and who was the first to take the initiative? Who made the final revision, and where was it done? It seems evident that the intention was to compile this book for the Coptic church in imitation of the Greek list of saints, and that the author or authors drew their inspiration from that work, for several notices are obviously taken from the Synaxarion called that of Constantinople. The reader may have recourse to several editions or translations, each of which has its advantages and its disadvantages. Let us take them in chronological order. The oldest translation (German) is that of the great German Arabist F. Wüstenfeld, who produced the edition with a German translation of part of al-Maqrizi's Khitat, concerning the Coptic church, under the title Macrizi's Geschichte der Copten (Göttingen, 1845).
    [Show full text]
  • The Routledge Companion to Christianity in Africa Christianity In
    This article was downloaded by: 10.3.98.104 On: 30 Sep 2021 Access details: subscription number Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG, UK The Routledge Companion to Christianity in Africa Elias Kifon Bongmba Christianity in Egypt Publication details https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9781315890012.ch2 Youhanna Nessim Youssef Published online on: 21 Dec 2015 How to cite :- Youhanna Nessim Youssef. 21 Dec 2015, Christianity in Egypt from: The Routledge Companion to Christianity in Africa Routledge Accessed on: 30 Sep 2021 https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9781315890012.ch2 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR DOCUMENT Full terms and conditions of use: https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/legal-notices/terms This Document PDF may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproductions, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The publisher shall not be liable for an loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. 2 Christianity in Egypt The Coptic Church Youhanna Nessim Youssef The word “Copt” originated from the Greek word “Aigyptius,”“Egyptian” which is the name of the sanctuary near Memphis “Het-Ka-Ptah,”“The dwelling of the ‘Ghost’(ka) of Ptah” and was disfigured by the Arabs to “Copt.” Nowa- days, for a visitor to the Middle East, the word “Coptic” may signify a lot of meanings – like Christian Egyptians, mostly Orthodox – but there is a minority of Catholics and Protestants, or Christian Nubians from the seventh to eleventh centuries or Ethiopians living in Abyssinia.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ETHIOPIAN SYNAXARIUM 677 the TWELVETH MONTH Nehasse
    THE ETHIOPIAN SYNAXARIUM THE TWELVETH MONTH Nehasse 01 (August 07) IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD. AMEN. On this day the blessed Saint Abba ‘Aboli, the son of Justus, became a martyr. To this holy man belonged the kingdom of Rome. When he had fought in the war, and returned to the city of Antioch, he found that Diocletian had denied Christ, and had set up the worship of idols. He was able to destroy Diocletian and to take his kingdom from him, but he meditated upon a heavenly kingdom, which never passeth away; and Diocletian urged him, with many persuasive words, [to worship idols,] but he would not hearken unto him. And after this Justus urged the saint, until Diocletian wrote the order, and sent it to Justus, and his wife Theoklera, and his son ‘Aboli, who is commemorated this day, and he sent them to the country of Egypt, to Herminius, governor of the city of Alexandria, and he said in his letter, “When Justus, and his wife, and his son ‘Aboli arrive, persuade them to offer sacrifice to the gods, and if they will not do so, separate them from each other, and send them each alone into the city.” And that night our Lord Jesus Christ appeared unto Justus and his wife, and his son, and comforted them and encouraged them, and He told them what was going to happen to them, and He promised [to receive] them in His heavenly abode. And when they arrived in the city of Alexandria, and Herminius the governor saw them, he marveled greatly at them, and wondered why they had forsaken their royal position.
    [Show full text]
  • The True Story of Christianity in Egypt
    THE STORY OF THE COPTS THE TRUE STORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN EGYPT by Iris Habib el Masri BOOK 1 FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH BY SAINT MARK TO THE ARAB CONQUEST 2 Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of lords 3 H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and the See of St. Mark 4 St. Anthony, Coptic Orthodox Monastery of Southern California, U.S.A., introduces "The Story of the Copts" by IRIS HABIB EL MASRI to all Christians and non-Christians; to old and young; men and women; ... to everyone, with or without an interest in studying religion; and to the public in general. Also, the Copts in Egypt and all over the world. May God grant that the reader gain a true knowledge of the Copts and of the history of Christianity of Egypt. ST. ANMNY MONASTERY P.O. BOX 369 MMERRY SPRINGS, CA 923$5 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It is with deep gratitude that I offer my thanks to our Heavenly Father whose aid and guidance have been my lodestar throughout the years. My thankful homage to the Spirit of my Father Pishoi Kamil whose encouragement by prayer, words and continued endeavour added to my zeal and fervour, and strengthened me to persevere on the path towards fulfilment. My thanks are extended also to all my family circle and friends, with special appreciation to the budding artist Habib Amin el Masri, my nephew, for giving me some of his paintings to adorn this volume. As for my sister Eva el Masri Sidhom, I consider he my co-writer; she and her husband Youssef did their best in editing and typing this work.
    [Show full text]
  • Pious and Impious Christian Rulers According to Egyptian Historiography 111
    Alberto Camplani Pious and Impious Christian RulersAccording to Egyptian Historiography and Hagiography: AFirst Survey of the Evidence An effective waytostudythe evolving attitude of the Alexandrian patriarchateto- wards the political power is to trace the imageofthe good Christian emperorin the multiplicity of its historicalrepresentations. In this regard,wide-rangingresearch is needed on how the see of Alexandria presents itself on the religious and political level over the centuries in the histories and the hagiographicaltexts produced within the bishopric or in the circles close to it,deeplyconnected to the institutional and collective dimension of the church.¹ In this context the process should be highlighted that leads from the archivalactivity of the patriarchatetothe production of tales, tra- ditions, stories,which are based on the documentation preserved in the archives,² but are also provided with their own life, theirown images, their own grammar. The patriarchateproducedhistoriographical works conceivedofasasequence of documents and polemical narratives, here and there provided with shortanecdotes. It also created histories of martyrs and saints, normallyconnected to this same doc- umentation, but marked by amore pronounced tendencytorelate episodes or to ex- press ahistorical assessment through images and symbols. The permanence and the reworking of the samemotifs and images through the ages served the function of em- phasizing the sense of continuity and eternal orthodoxy of Alexandria.³ The texts selected in the present contribution are the expression not simplyofan individual author,but rather of anetwork of church relations, in which multiple voi- ces try to emerge – the voices of different groups defending theirinterests, their tra- ditions, and their contribution to the life of the Egyptian church, such as the clergy, the monks, and engaged laity.Irecentlyinvestigated⁴ the changingrole of historical Forapresentationofthe historiographyofthe episcopateofAlexandria see A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Byzantinist Is No DiErent
    The Issue No. 3 Spring 2013 Byzantinist A Message from the Editor “So then, if Zeus will not place our inaccessibility, all of us are pio- smaller by widening access to story among the stars, if Poseidon neers in a eld of scholarship, a our work through the internet. will not imprint it upon the waters, if not yet over-crowded by centuries, rough Peter Lang we hope to Earth will not nurture it in plants and each of us can bring something publish the best of the many pa- owers, then, as though in unfading new to the debate, and this issue pers of the society’s international timbers and in adamantine precious of the Byzantinist is no dierent. conference, both this year and in stones, with Hermes’ pen and ink and Our articles cover a time period the future. It has been noted for in language breathing the re of rhet- from the end of antiquity to the high many years that the standard of oric let our story be inscribed, and middle ages, with literature, numis- conference papers is extraordi- let some one of those who come aer matic, economic and hagiographic narily high, and so being able to turn it into rhetoric and forge gold- elds all covered. Our proles of both put the best of these into print is en statues hammered out of words past and present students are also the culmination of many years of as our imperishable monument”. testament to our diversity, and our hard work from the committees So said the 12th Century poet Eus- Fellow’s interview shows Oxford’s of the Oxford University Byz- tathios Makrembolites, and though strength of faculty, as with such a antine Society.
    [Show full text]
  • Armenian Apocrypha
    ARMENIAN APOCRYPHA !"#$%&'( %) $*!$+$, Society of Biblical Literature Early Judaism and Its Literature Rodney A. Werline, Series Editor Editorial Board Mark J. Boda George J. Brooke Esther Glickler Chazon Steven D. Fraade Martha Himmelfarb James S. McLaren Jacques van Ruiten Number 37 ARMENIAN APOCRYPHA R"#$%&'( %) A*!$+$, ARMENIAN APOCRYPHA R"#$%&'( %) A*!$+$, Michael E. Stone Society of Biblical Literature Atlanta ARMENIAN APOCRYPHA R"#$%&'( %) A*!$+$, Copyright © 2012 by the Society of Biblical Literature All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the Rights and Permissions O- ce, Society of Biblical Literature, 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stone, Michael E., 1938- Armenian apocrypha relating to Abraham / by Michael E. Stone. pages cm. — (Early Judaism and its literature ; no. 37) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-58983-715-7 (paper binding : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-58983-716-4 (electronic format) 1. Testament of Abraham—Criticism, interpretation, etc. 2. Abraham (Biblical patriarch) I. Title. BS1830.T32S76 2012 229’.9140.1667—dc23 2012041815 Printed on acid-free, recycled paper conforming to ANSI /NISO Z39.48–1992 (R1997) and ISO 9706:1994 standards for paper permanence. C)'%"'%/ Preface . ix Abbreviations. xi List of Works Published Here by Date . xv List of Manuscripts Published Here .
    [Show full text]
  • With Or Without
    CHASTITY OR PROCREATION? MODELS OF SANCTITY FOR BYZANTINE LAYMEN DURING THE ICONOCLASTIC AND POST- ICONOCLASTIC PERIOD Dirk Krausmüller ([email protected]) Abstract: This article presents evidence for married saints, which can be dated to the early ninth century, and compares such material with hagiographical data about chaste laymen from the tenth century. This approach makes it possible to define more clearly the different concepts of sanctity that were current at these times and thus to gauge the changes that occurred during the intervening years. The article concludes with a brief discussion of possible reasons for the changes in the discourse about sainthood that set the eighth and early ninth centuries apart from both the preceding and the following periods. After the end of the persecutions in the early fourth century AD the Christian communities of the Roman Empire shaped a new concept of personal sanctity that was no longer based on voluntary death for one’s faith but instead demanded a complete withdrawal from the network of social relations, which found its most striking expression in the refusal to marry and procreate.1 This concept survived the breakdown of the social and political structures of Late Antiquity and was passed on to the Middle Ages. Hagiographical texts produced in Early Medieval Western Europe are in agreement that the state of sainthood precludes sexual activity even if sanctioned by marriage.2 Only rarely does one encounter exceptions and in these cases the hagiographers were acutely aware that they were dealing with anomalous situations that required an explanation.3 Strikingly similar views 1 The secondary literature on this topic is vast.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lives of the Saints
    LIBRARY Brigham Young University n"\...±91±89. 9 * THE 3Utoes of ttjc faints REV. S. BARING-GOULD SIXTEEN VOLUMES VOLUME THE FOURTEENTH * H — * A \|0\,l</ THE Ifoes of tlje faints BY THE REV. S. BARING-GOULD, M.A. New Edition in 16 Volumes Revised with Introduction and Additional Lives of English Martyrs, Cornish and Welsh Saints, and a full Index to the Entire Work ILLUSTRATED BY OVER 400 ENGRAVINGS VOLUME THE FOURTEENTH j^obcmier part h 191189 LONDON JOHN C. NIMMO 6- NEW YORK : LONGMANS, GREEN, CO. MDCCCXCVIII * ^ — Printed by Ballantvne, Hanson &-' Co At the Liallantyne Press *- -* CONTENTS s. *- -* VI Contents E -* Contents vn V S. Simeon Meta- FAGE S. Virgilius, B. of Salz- phrastes . 574 burg 570 „ Sosthenes .... 577 Stephen the Younger „ 583 X S. Xavier, Francis . 602 S. Trojanus • 598 „ Trudo . SS. Zacchaeus and Al- „ Tugdual • 599 phasus .... 378 * -* LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Procession of Saints Frontispiece From a Fresco. Procession of Saints ..... to face p. 371 From a Fresco. S. Hilda „ 392 S. John of Beverley, Abp. of York (see May 7th) ,,394 S. Hugh of Lincoln „ 396 After Cahier. The Presentation in the Temple . 400 After a Fresco by GlOTTO, at Padua. The Presentation in the Temple . „ 410 After the Picture by Fra Bartolommeo, in the Vienna Gallery. S. Elizabeth of Hungary .... „ 422 After the Painting by Hans Holbein (the elder), one of the wings of the altar-piece of S. Sebastian, in the Pinakothek, Munich. S. Elizabeth — The Miracle — " I see only Jesus Christ" .... „ 424 VOL. XIV. : r b # *- List of Illustrations to face -* List of Illustrations xi S.
    [Show full text]
  • John Bishop of Assiut, Manfalūt and Abū
    John Bishop of Assiut, Manfalūt and Abū Tī ǧǧǧ [Juan, obispo de Asiut, Manfalūt y Abū Tīǧ] Youhanna NESSIM YOUSSEF Center for Early Christian Studies Australian Catholic University [email protected] Resumen : En este artículo ofrecemos nueva información sobre Juan obispo de Asiut (s. XIV) y sobre sus obras y actividades religiosas. Abstract : In this article our aim is to offer new information about John bishop of Assiut (14 th c.) and his religious activities and works. Palabras Clave : Cristianismo. Egipto. Época mameluca. Obispo de Asiut. Key Words : Christianity. Egypt. Mamluk era. Bishop of Assiut. ’ Introduction This bishop of Assiut was not identified until recently. Samir Khalil thought John of Assiut was from the thirteenth-century. 1 While Randall Stewart talked about two bishops Paul, who was bishop of Asyut, Abū T īğ, and Manfalūt, and Yu ᐓannis, bishop of Assiut. 2 In a previous study I highlighted the importance of John of Assiut and his literary works, 3 meanwhile more information data came to my knowledge including the publication of the homily on Severus of Antioch by a bishop of Assiut, which motivated me to write this paper. 1. John of Assiut and his time 4 John was contemporary to at least three patriarchs Gabriel V (1409-1427), John XI (1427-1452) and Matthew II (1452-1465). 5 1 Samir KHALIL , “Yu’annis”, CE 7, p. 2355. 2 Randall STEWART , “Asyut”, CE 1, p. 296-297. 3 Cf. Youhanna Nessim Y OUSSEF , “Jean évêque d’Assiut, de Manfalūt et d’Abu Tig et ses activités littéraires”, Études coptes VIII.
    [Show full text]
  • Liturgical Cosmology: the Theological And
    LITURGICAL COSMOLOGY: THE THEOLOGICAL AND SACRAMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF CREATION IN THE ETHIOPIAN LITURGY By Mebratu Kiros Gebru A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology of Emmanuel College and the Department of Theology of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Mebratu Kiros Gebru 2012 Liturgical Cosmology: The Theological and Sacramental Dimensions of Creation in the Ethiopian Liturgy Mebratu Kiros Gebru Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2012 Abstract This study mainly seeks to construct a liturgical cosmology according to the Ethiopian liturgical rite based on the conviction that the prayers (worship) of the church ground its beliefs. To achieve this goal, the thesis has primarily dealt with various themes of creation theology based on the biblico-liturgical texts of the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwaḥədo Church (EOTC). As a second method, the thesis has also analyzed the theological and cosmological presuppositions of the use of created matter in the Ethiopian liturgy. The eclecticism and complexity of the Ethiopic liturgical texts has led to the consultation of numerous biblical and apocryphal sources in the thesis, and this was mainly done to identify the sources of the EOTC’s theology of creation as reflected in the liturgical texts and biblical exegesis of the church. Having closely studied the EOTC’s liturgical texts and its sacramental praxis, the thesis demonstrates that both the eucharistic and non-eucharistic services of the Ethiopian liturgy embody creation motifs and incorporate created elements.
    [Show full text]