Form I Catechesis

Catechesis books are insufficent on their own. Please include studying the Holy Bible, Lives of the Saints, and Hymns of your jurisdiction, as well as attending services and confession frequently, to offer your child the full richness of the Orthodox Church. 

Year 1 Catechesis

Term 1: A Visual Catechism of the Orthodox Church 

Week 1: 1 The Creation 

Week 2: 2 The Fall of Man 

Week 3: 3 The Incarnation of the Word 

Week 4: 4 Christ’s Life and Work (13-16) 

Week 5: 4 Christ’s Life and Word (17-22) 

Week 6: 5 The Triune God 

Week 7: 6 The Church (26-29) 

Week 8: 6 The Church (32-38) 

Week 9: 7 The Holy Temple, a Church 

Week 10: 8 The Orthodox Clergy 

Week 11: 9 The Abolishing of Death 

Week 12: 10 Resurrection of the Dead 

Term 2: Exaltation Press’ God, one section per week (see below for a listing of all titles)

Term 3: Exaltation Press’ The Resurrection

Catechesis Resources for Years 2 & 3

•  Little Ringtail Series (could be done any year, maybe before Pilgrim’s Progress) 

Complete series, 3 books 

We read 2 pages per day in Year 3 (with several little people). 

• From Ambleside Online: “The Pilgrim's Progress Every Child Can Read edited by Rev. Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, D.D. is a 1909 version designed for children that tells the story in King-Jamesish English but removes much of the doctrinal conversations and arguments that bog down children. It includes Books I and II, both Christian's and Christiana's Journeys.” 

• God’s Bubbly, Gurgly, Overwhelming, Overflowing Love  12 weeks' worth (or a few weeks longer if needed) if you read a couple pages each week. After reading the book, go back and reread, this time looking up all the Scriptural references sprinkled on each page. It’s a good time to gently point out how to locate Bible verses. (possibly available through HARC, where it was published https://www.holyapostleschurch.com/ministries/harc. Our experience is that this parish will help you over the phone.) 

• Exultation Press publishes a seven book series called "Orthodoxy for Children." The titles of the books are: 

  • • God

    • Prayer

    • Great Feasts

    • Confession

    • The Clergy

    • Fasting

    • The Divine Liturgy

Each of these books, or the seven book set, can be purchased at exaltationpress.com.

• A Visual Catechism of the Orthodox Church by Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hierotheos uses simple language and iconographic illustrations to teach children the fundamental truths of Orthodox Christianity. 

• The Story of Icons by Mary Paloumpis Hallick is currently out of print, but inexpensive second-hand copies are easy to find. The book explains about the use of Christian symbols, the stories of the the first icons, the fight for icons with the iconoclasts, what makes an icon an icon, and the stories of the 12 Great Feasts accompanied by their icons. (This is also recommended under icon study in family subjects. It really is a great book!)

• From I-Ville to You-Ville by Mersine Vingopoulou is back in print! Charlotte Mason Educators typically

1. 1. 1.  Use this book for catechesis on its own. 

      2. Read it alongside "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan (Form I Literature)    OR

      3.  Substitute From I-Ville to You-Ville in place of Pilgrim's Progress, or delay Pilgrim's Progress until later, reading From I-Ville... when PP is scheduled during Form I.

• Ancient Faith Publishing offers three child-focused small books on The Divine Liturgy, Confession, and Prayer:

  • • A Child's Guide to the Divine Liturgy is a visual guide to the Liturgy with text to help children follow along through the service.

    • A Child's Guide to Confession provides an explanation of confession, a list of questions for self-examination, and prayers helpful in guiding children through their earliest confessions.

    • A Child's Guide to Prayer is a child's book of prayers.

• Another excellent prayer book for families is the Children's Orthodox Prayer book.