The 2024 - 2025 Season is underway! Come join us!
At an Orthodox baptism, the godparents proclaim the faith on behalf of the child. The Orthodox Church understands this as a promise that the child will be taught the faith and come to embrace it. This is why our Sunday School is so important: it is the main tool we have to teach our children the faith into which they have been baptized. We want all children to join us each Sunday and learn about our Greek Orthodox Faith.
Sunday School students should attend the Divine Liturgy (9.30 am) and then will proceed to their classes after receiving Holy Communion. Classes last approximately 45 minutes.
"With us everything should be secondary compared to our concern with children, and their upbringing in the instruction and teaching of the Lord.”
~St. John Chrysostom
Philosophy of our Sunday School Program
The philosophy of our Sunday School Program is based on a Christocentric approach, which prepares the students with principles of the Orthodox Faith, encouraging them to grow in God’s Service. Our program builds a solid foundation for the children of our community through exemplary lessons in the Teaching and Worship Practices of the Greek Orthodox Christian Faith.
Goals of our Sunday School Program
1. To encourage all students from nursery age to seniors in high school to participate in our Sunday School Program.
2. To make our Sunday School spiritually enriching for our children.
3. To establish a stable Christian educational environment.
4. To provide Christian awareness and education for inclusive classrooms and learning format / geared for all children of all abilities.
5. To provide well rounded and theologically based lessons on the Bible, Liturgical Worship, Prayer Life, Sacramental Life, and Mission Awareness.
6. To have a dependable volunteer staff, who because of their personal commitment to Christ, serve His Church as teachers.
7. To provide the staff and students with text books and other resources (i.e. craft supplies, videos...) which inspire and enhance Christian learning.
8. To provide Sunday School students the opportunity to learn about Stewardship and caring for our Church, community center and grounds.
9. To learn how to work together with one another in the House of God.
10. To encourage respect and Christian agape among all children of our church.
Ways Parents Can Help Strengthen The Foundation of Religious Education
1. Plan to be in Church prior to the beginning of Sunday School - which begins at 9:30 am.
2. Be consistent. Attend Church regularly.
3. Visit the classroom and meet with the teacher to see what lessons your child is learning so that lesson material can be re-enforced at home; ask your child if they have any special handouts from the teacher.
4. See that your child comes to class prepared with books, homework assignments etc.
5. Practice the faith at home, observe fast days and schedule family prayer time. Children are great imitators; what they see you do, you will see them do.
6. Be realistic in setting your goals as you grow in the Faith. God will always provide more than you will ever need, but you need to be willing and ready to be called and to follow Him in every aspect of your life.
7. Do not feel alone, or overwhelmed, but turn to Him in prayer at all times. Stand Firm in Holy Tradition and Be Well In Faith.
Metropolitan Cathedral St. John The Theologian
353 E Clinton Ave; Tenafly, NJ 07670
201-567-5072
Sun
8Dec9:00 Divine LiturgySun
15Dec9:00 Divine LiturgySun
22Dec9:00 Divine Liturgy