St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra

A lesson plan

Materials:

Icon of St. Nicholas
Materials needed for a charitable project
(such as explanatory notes to take home and a box or basket for donations. Perhaps several smaller ones scattered in various locations would work also.)

Procedure:

Read St. Nicholas’ life
A simple one, A Man Named Nicholas, is found in A Way of Life.

Discussion:

Emphasize his good deeds, kindness, and generosity.
Discuss how St. Nicholas often gave gifts to others and no one knew who gave them.

St. Nicholas was also a great Bishop.
What is a bishop? Who is our bishop? Recall and show pictures of a time when the bishop visited your parish.

Activity:

Decorate the donation boxes with blockquoteight colors to attract attention. Or use stickers for decoration.
Use these collection boxes throughout the Nativity Fast season.

Optional activity 1:

Some cultures leave shoes out, so that St. Nicholas can fill them with treats. This could be done outside the classroom door during class for a wonderful surprise! Letters may also be sent home explaining this custom, so it could be done on the exact day of St. Nicholas’ commemoration (Dec. 6).

Optional activity 2:

Learn to sing the greeting hymn for the bishop Found in Orthodox Hymns for Children.

From Department of Christian Education, Orthodox Church in America. Used by permission.