Catechesis Lessons for Children and Youth

With the blessing of Bishop Ioan Casian, the St. Maximus the Confessor Cultural-Theological and Catechetical Formation Center within the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, organized four virtual catechesis lessons: The Annunciation (Sunday, March 30), Preparation for the Resurrection and the Pentecostarion period (April 27), Fasting or Diet? (May 25), and Missionary Journeys of St. Paul the Apostle (June 15).

Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants in the 4 lessons. In addition, diplomas were awarded after completing the quiz organized at the end of each lesson.

There were 33 children and young people who participated in at least one lesson, of which 19 completed at least one quiz.

The presentation methods were: PowerPoint slides, interactive maps, digital creations and association games. The lessons were interactive, through live questions with answers in chat, quizzes, and the Kahoot game present at the end of each lesson. The feedback received from children and young people through these interactions had a double role: on the one hand, it kept the audience focused during the lesson, but also tested the level of understanding of the presentation, which was at a high level.

The four lessons had a rich thematic, and synthesized the crucial moments in the economy of Salvation, starting from the Annunciation, and then Resurrection, the Pentecostarion period, the church's creation at Pentecost, ending with the spread of the Gospel throughout the world through the missionary journeys of the Holy Apostles, with particular emphasis on the Missionary Journeys of St. Paul.

The lessons described not only the historical reality of these moments, but also their liturgical dimension, the way we celebrate the Royal Feasts in the church (Annunciation, Easter, Ascension, and Descent of the Holy Spirit) and their significance for us today. An important aspect was coneying the spirit of these holidays and the teachings that we can apply in our daily lives as Christians.

The lessons were designed and presented by Mihaela Ilade Amohnoaie, Ileana Gavriș, Traian Pârvu, Anca Coza, and Elena Ștefan.

During September-December 2025 we intend to organize another 4 lessons on the Holy Scriptures, the Gospels (with an emphasis on the Beatitudes and the Parables of the Savior), and the importance of the Holy Mysteries in the lives of Orthodox Christians.