Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Sunday School Curriculum <strong>Grade</strong> <strong>10</strong><br />
authority to bind and to loose - to lose man from all <strong>the</strong> ties <strong>of</strong> injustice and darkness (as <strong>the</strong><br />
priest says in <strong>the</strong> Absolution).<br />
V. Orders <strong>of</strong> Priesthood<br />
Deaconry<br />
Deacon (Sham‘ mass) is a <strong>Coptic</strong> and old Egyptian word. It is also a Syrian word and it means<br />
―Servant‖.<br />
Deaconry has seven orders: Sacristan, Psalmist, Reader, Subdeacon, Deaconess, Deacon, and<br />
Archdeacon.<br />
All <strong>the</strong>se orders aim at organizing <strong>the</strong> worship and <strong>the</strong> service <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> believers. (Acts 6).<br />
Priesthood<br />
It includes three orders.<br />
Priest (Prosveteros), i.e. Intercessor.<br />
Archpriest (Kommos or Heghomenos), i.e. Spiritual guide.<br />
Curate (Khuri Episcopos), i.e. Bishop <strong>of</strong> villages.<br />
Episcopacy includes <strong>the</strong> following orders.<br />
The Bishop: means he who looks from above (who manages <strong>the</strong> church‘s affairs). He has <strong>the</strong><br />
right to ordain Deacons, Priests and Archpriests.<br />
The Metropolitan (Mutraan), i.e. <strong>the</strong> Bishop <strong>of</strong> a big city (Governorate).<br />
Patriarch (Patri = Fa<strong>the</strong>rs and Arch = Boss or Head).<br />
So <strong>the</strong> Patriarch is <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>the</strong> bishops. He may be called <strong>the</strong> Pope as in Egypt<br />
and Rome. The Patriarch was first given <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> ―Pope <strong>of</strong> Egypt‖ since Pope Yaroclass<br />
(13 th Pope <strong>of</strong> Alexandria), because <strong>of</strong> his deep patriaralistic feelings and <strong>the</strong> people‘s love for<br />
him, and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> Romans used <strong>the</strong> title.<br />
VI. Priest Ordination<br />
The ordination <strong>of</strong> deacon and priest takes place during <strong>the</strong> Liturgy, after <strong>the</strong> prayer <strong>of</strong><br />
reconciliation between God and <strong>the</strong> people (2 Corinthians 5:18) but those who receive <strong>the</strong><br />
orders <strong>of</strong> ―Episcopacy‖ receive <strong>the</strong>m after reading <strong>the</strong> Acts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> apostles because <strong>the</strong>y<br />
always continue <strong>the</strong>ir works as <strong>the</strong>ir successors (Acts 20:28). St. Paul recommended <strong>the</strong><br />
ordination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clergymen (Acts 14:13; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5-9).<br />
VII. Priesthood Service<br />
The clergymen are ordained to serve <strong>the</strong> believers and in doing so <strong>the</strong>y are like our great high<br />
priest who <strong>of</strong>fered Himself for us, a sacrifice <strong>of</strong> love for us. The clergymen <strong>the</strong>n are servants<br />
and agents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mysteries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord (1 Corinthians 4:1). He <strong>of</strong>fered us <strong>the</strong> grace and joys<br />
<strong>of</strong> redemption through <strong>the</strong> Holy Sacraments and <strong>the</strong>y pray for us (1 Timothy 1:2; Ephesians<br />
1:16) especially in <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> sickness (James 5:14) and <strong>the</strong>y encourage us to repent with<br />
tears (Acts 20:31).<br />
VIII. Priesthood Honor<br />
The priests are dignified for <strong>the</strong>ir labor and service and giving <strong>the</strong>ir life for us, for our<br />
happiness, success and our delight with salvation. The Lord honors <strong>the</strong>m as He honored all<br />
those whom honored Him ―If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, <strong>the</strong>re My<br />
servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Fa<strong>the</strong>r will honor‖ (John 12:26). The Lord<br />
JONAH’S FAST <strong>10</strong>1