Over 400 participants joined online on Sunday, February 21, 2021 for “A Lenten Journey to Great and Holy Pascha”, the first session of an 11-week virtual program for children and youth, grades Pre-K through 8th, taking them on an educational journey beginning with the Triodion, through Great Lent, and culminating with a special program on Good Friday. In addition to participants from throughout the Metropolis of San Francisco, this program also welcomed students from Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio and Connecticut.
This program is being offered by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Christian Education Ministry, in collaboration with the Orthodox Youth Mentorship Program of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo, CA. Under the leadership of Maria Tangalos – a 20-year old USC student majoring in Biomedical Engineering), Dr. Eve Tibbs – Christian Education Ministry Chair for the Metropolis of San Francisco, and Rev. Father Gary Kyriacou – Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of San Francisco, a curriculum was developed to engage students in learning about these very important milestones on the path of preparation through Great Lent, leading to a more fulfilling celebration of Christ’s Resurrection on Great and Holy Pascha. It was Maria’s initiative at her parish of Saint Demetrios in Camarillo that brought forth this idea which was elevated to an even larger scale, and met with great enthusiasm and success.
In his opening remarks, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos stated, “You now have a road map – a goal – and a bright light shining at the end of the tunnel with our jubilant celebration of Great and Holy Pascha. May 2 may seem like a long time from now, but I can assure you that by participating in a program like this, you will find that you Journey through Great Lent and to Pascha will be one of the most fulfilling in your life.”
In preparation for Great Lent, students were introduced to a
community service project to commence with the start of Great Lent on
March 15. This program, 40 Days 40 Items, encourages youth to find one
possession each day that they no longer need and place it in a large
bag. At the conclusion of the 40 days, they will then donate these items
to a charity in their area.
Students were then placed in Zoom breakout rooms where they engaged in interactive lessons, focusing on the Gospel reading for the Publican and Pharisee, marking the first Sunday of the Triodion. The themes of humility, honesty, self-evaluation, prayer, fasting and acts of charity were introduced at age-appropriate levels. Students and their families responded with great eagerness and gratitude for this program, anticipating next week’s lesson on the Prodigal Son, and continuing their journey to Lent and Great and Holy Pascha.
Even if you missed the first session, there is still time to enroll. Sign up today so you don’t miss another session. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator Maria Tangalos.