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
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Sunday School Curriculum <strong>Grade</strong> <strong>10</strong><br />
Week 7 – St. Peter, Seal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Martyrs<br />
Objective:<br />
To know <strong>the</strong> great place <strong>of</strong> St. Peter ―The seal <strong>of</strong> Martyrs‖ in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church.<br />
To take example <strong>of</strong> his strong stand in <strong>the</strong> faith to <strong>the</strong> end.<br />
Memory Verse:<br />
―The good shepherd gives His life for <strong>the</strong> sheep‖ (John <strong>10</strong>:11).<br />
References:<br />
The Synaxarium<br />
The Story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Copts - Iris el Masri, Vol. 6, Page 72-78<br />
Introduction:<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> remarkable things about <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> Diocletian‘s fierce persecution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Christians <strong>of</strong> Egypt is that <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> Alexandria were able to carry on <strong>the</strong>ir work at <strong>the</strong><br />
School <strong>of</strong> Alexandria. It continued to be a source <strong>of</strong> enlightenment, strength, spiritual and<br />
intellectual food for many. Hence it remained a bulwark <strong>of</strong> faith. In charge <strong>of</strong> it, as Dean at<br />
this critical time, was a sagacious person by <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> Peter. He became <strong>the</strong> 17 th Pope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Church, and later sealed with his blood that era <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> martyrs by becoming <strong>the</strong> last to lose his<br />
life for <strong>the</strong> faith in this fiercest persecution.<br />
Lesson Outline:<br />
The Birth and Childhood <strong>of</strong> St. Peter<br />
Peter was an only son, who was born in answer to his parents‘ fervent prayers. His fa<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
Theodosius, was assistant priest in Alexandria. His mo<strong>the</strong>r‘s name was Sophia. Both were<br />
God-fearing people who, being childless, kept praying fervently that <strong>the</strong>y be granted a son.<br />
One day, when <strong>the</strong> Church was celebrating <strong>the</strong> martyrdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Apostles St. Peter and Paul,<br />
Sophia stood in <strong>the</strong> House <strong>of</strong> God and watched a company <strong>of</strong> Christians entering <strong>the</strong> Church<br />
with <strong>the</strong>ir sons dressed in goodly raiment, walking before <strong>the</strong>m. With her heart deeply stirred,<br />
she kept weeping and praying, like <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> prophet Samuel <strong>of</strong> old, asking <strong>the</strong> Lord<br />
before His holy altar to bestow on her a son.<br />
That night she saw in a vision two venerable old men dressed in white, comforting her and<br />
telling her that God had heard her prayers, and that she would be given a son whom she must<br />
call Peter who will be <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole nation. They commanded her to go in <strong>the</strong><br />
morning to Pope Theonas and ask him to pray for her. In <strong>the</strong> morning Sophia, with a glad<br />
heart, told her husband <strong>of</strong> her vision and he rejoiced with her. Then she went and related it to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Pope and he gave her his blessings.<br />
In due time Peter was born. When he was seven years old, his parents <strong>of</strong>fered him to <strong>the</strong> Pope,<br />
just as Samuel <strong>the</strong> prophet had been <strong>of</strong>fered. He became as <strong>the</strong> Pope‘s son, and was ordained<br />
by him, first reader <strong>the</strong>n deacon, <strong>the</strong>n priest. He grew up chaste and upright, and in time his<br />
knowledge, wisdom and understanding earned him <strong>the</strong> surname <strong>of</strong> ―Excellent Doctor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Christian religion‖<br />
144 PENTECOST PERIOD