St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church 1231 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, New Jersey, 07013
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it -" Proverbs 22:6
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul -" Proverbs 29:17
You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise -" Deuteronomy 11:19
Sunday School Headmistress:- Mrs. Sara Varghese
Sunday School infromation please click below.
http://indianorthodoxsundayschool.org/Default.aspx
Centralized Examination Syllabus, Sample Questions, TTC Syllabus and Competition info please click below.
http://www.indianorthodoxsundayschool.org/user/downloadpdf.aspx
Scripture Readings February2012
February-5: All Departed Priests
Evening
Morning
Before Holy Qurbana
Holy Qurbana
St.Matthew24:42-51
February-12: All the Departed Faithful
Evening
Morning
Before Holy Qurbana
Holy Qurbana
February-19: First Sunday of 50 days Lent (Kothine Sunday - Pethrutha of the Great Lent)
Description
The Great Lent starts by commemorating the first miracle performed by Jesus i.e. turning water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee. The Gospel reading for each Sunday of the Great Lent is about a miracle performed by Jesus.
Evening
Morning
Before Holy Qurbana
Holy Qurbana
OR
February-26: Second Sunday of Fifty days Lent (Lepers' Sunday)
Evening
Morning
Before Holy Qurbana
Holy Qurbana
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1. Curriculum covered on the Annual Centralized Exams:
a. 80% of questions will be taken from the text books of the current grade level.
20% of questions will be taken from the text books of preceding grade levels.
The following table gives a break down of how the exams are generated:
12th Grade 80% of questions will be taken from the 12th grade text books
20 % of questions will be taken from the 11th grade text books
10th Grade 80% of questions will be taken from the 10th grade text books
20% of questions will be taken from the 9th grade text books
8th Grade 80% of questions will be taken from the 8th grade text books
20% of questions will be taken from the 6th and 7th grade text books
5th Grade 100% of questions will be taken from current and all previous grade text
books and workbooks
b. Eighth Grade Centralized Exam additional knowledge requirement:
In addition to the above text book material, questions from the following subject areas may
be added:
Church Fathers
a. St. George
b. St. Gregorios of Parumala
c. St. Dionesius of Vattasseril
Church History
a. Up to and including the formation of the Marthoma Church
c. Prayer, Hymns and Word Meanings – please refer to attached list
2. Format of Centralized Exam test booklet
a. 70% - Short Answer Questions and Word Meanings
b. 30% - Essay, Short Notes, Prayer and Worship Hymns
3. All text book chapters from current and previous grades’ textbooks, as indicated above, will be
weighed equally and questions can be expected from all areas within the prescribed text books.
4. A proctor appointed by the Sunday School Association is required to conduct the examinations.
Services of qualified members of other denominations may be accepted to proctor examinations in
areas where we have a limited number of parishes.
5. All examination centers must administer the centralized exams simultaneously. The allotted time
for the exams, from the start time, will be two hours. All exams must start between the hours of
12 pm and 1 pm Eastern. This window of time is provided to accommodate those congregations
using rental facilities.
Approved by General Assembly of the Sunday School Association
Revised 2009
2
6. Participating students are required to remain in the exam room for a minimum of 60 minutes after
the official start of the exam up to the 2 hour time limit.
7. Each Sunday School must submit the name, address, and telephone number of a suitable teacher to
proctor an examination in another participating parish.
8. All Centralized Exam test booklets must be delivered in person or via certified priority mail to the
identified proctors prior to the exam. Advance notification and instructions must be sent to each
proctor prior to delivery of the test booklets to preserve the integrity of the booklets. The seal on
each booklet is to remain intact until the officiating priest or headmaster/mistress at the
examination center opens it.
9. Principals and/or a nominee shall jointly supervise the administration of the exam along with the
proctor.
10. The top two performers in the Centralized Exam, for each participating grade level, will be
presented with a certificate of merit and a religious publication. The graduating class will be
honored with special distinctions on their diplomas.
11. Centralized Exam results will not be curved to reflect relative performance. Merit is given based
on actual performance.
12. Sunday Schools are prohibited from screening any Centralized Exam candidates prior to
registration.
13. Common examination centers are made available for students from all participating parishes to
take the exam in place of their member parish exam center. The centers are as follows:
a. St. Mary’s Church, Bronx, NY
b. St. Gregorios Church, Cherry Lane, Queens, NY
c. St. Stephen’s Church, Bergenfield, NJ
d. St. Gregorios Church, Philadelphia, PA
Students participating from other regions may contact their respective regional coordinators for
similar accommodations.
13. Students who are unable to answer any part of the examination in English may provide their
answers in their native (regional) language script.
14. Merits and awards of all participating students will be credited to the parish where they have
membership.
15. The tenth grade and twelfth grade examination will be designated as the certificate class
examination and diploma class examinations respectively.
16. All certificate and diploma class exam registrants will be awarded certificates and diplomas
regardless of their performance on examinations.
Approved by General Assembly of the Sunday School Association
Revised 2009
3
17. Eligible students, who fail to register for the Tenth Grade Certificate Examination, must register
and complete this examination before sitting for the diploma examination. All such registrants
will fall under the “external candidate” category and will not be eligible for merit recognition.
18. Teacher’s Training Certificate Examination:
a. The syllabus for this exam, will be reviewed periodically, and posted on the Sunday
School website at www.indianorhtodoxsundayschool.org.
b. This exam is scheduled to be conducted along with the Centralized Exam. Sunday School
principals must register the candidates from their respective parishes on the supplied form.
The Association reserves the right to postpone this examination due to lack of
participation.
19. The Sunday School Association will be responsible for reviewing, printing and distributing all the
curriculum materials for our Sunday Schools. Sunday Schools will be notified upon availability of
these materials.
20. The workmanship of all diplomas and certificates are to be of professional quality and must bear
the name of the recipient and their Sunday School affiliation. Certificates for the Diocesan and
Regional level competitions shall be designated with their respective grade level titles.
Additionally, the certificates shall bear the emblem and title approved by the general body and
Metropolitan. All diocesan level certificates require signatures from both the Metropolitan and
Sunday School Director.
21. All competitors at the diocesan and regional levels shall be awarded with certificates of
participation. Prizewinners shall receive outstanding achievement award certificates.
22. The Centralized Examination schedule is pre-determined for each year and entered into the
Diocesan calendar. The Diploma Examination is to be conducted on the first Sunday of June. All
remaining Centralized Exams are to be conducted on the last Sunday of June. Centralized Exams
take precedence to any other church events scheduled for this day. All examinations must be
completed within the stipulated time schedule noted above.
23. All Sunday Schools will be provided with a word meaning list, consisting mainly of words or
phrases in other languages used in our worship hymns and service books.
24. The Centralized Exam text booklet shall be divided into two distinct sections, separating short
answers from detailed answers.
25. The published score reports of the Annual Centralized Examination should exclude student names,
and participants should solely be identified by their registration number. All participating Sunday
Schools should be provided with a copy of their student’s registration ID numbers.
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The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
American Diocese Sunday School Association Eastern RegionsCentralized Examination
WORD MEANINGS
1. Barekmor – Bless me, O Lord 32. Bovoosa – Appeal
2. Amen - Let it be so 33. Nibyo – Prophet
3. Evangelion – Gospel 34. Prumiyon – Preface
4. Halleluiah - Praise the Lord 35. Sedhara – A long series of prayers
5. Yeshu – Jesus (Savior) 36. Sahadha – Martyr
6. Meshiha – Anointed 37. Adamo doseno – Until my return
7. Hosanna (Ooshana) – Glory 38. Kuriyelaison – Lord have mercy
8. Aaloho - God 39. Sthoumankalos – Let us stand well
9. Sh’leeha – Apostle (One who is sent)
10. Habeebai – My beloved ones
40. Moriyo Rahem Melain Ooadarain – Lord! Have
mercy upon us and help us
11. Aahai – My brethren
12. Sh’lomo – Peace
41. Shubaho Lobo Labro Val Ruho Kadeesho –
Glory be to the Father, son and the Holy Spirit
13. Shino – Tranquility
14. Pagro – Body
42. Menaolam Vadhamelaolam Olmeen – From the
beginning and forever and ever
15. Damo – Blood
16. Kohono – Priest
43. Hosho Vabkoolsban Lolmeen – Now and always
forever
17. M’shamshono – Deacon 44. Kadheeshath Aaloho – Holy are thou, oh God!
18. Aaboon: Our Father
19. Episcopa – Bishop
45. Moran Ezrahem Melain – Our Lord have mercy
upon us!
20. Kadeesho - Saint 46. Shuboho Lok Moran – Glory be to Thee! O Lord!
21. Moiryo – Lord
22. Aabo – Father
47. Moran Hus Rahem Melain – Our Lord, be kind
and have mercy upon us
23. Bro – Son
24. Emo – Mother
48. Moran Annenurahem Melain – Our Lord, answer
us and have mercy upon us!
25. Rooho Kadeeso: Holy Spirit
26. Pesaha – Passover
49. Shuboho Lok Sabaran Laolam – Glory to Thee
our hope for ever!
27. Thubden – But again 50. Baskiyomo – Bonded; wife of a priest
28. Luthiniya – Intercessory Prayer with a
response
51. Sagee Shapeer – Very Good
29. Lahmo – Leavened bread 52. Push Bashlomo – Good Bye
30. Burksa – Blessed bread 53. Thoudhilakoon – Thank you
31. Masumoor – Psalm, song
Approved by General Assembly of the Sunday School Association
Revised 2009
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The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
American Diocese Sunday School Association Eastern Regions
Centralized Examination
WORSHIP HYMN SYLLABI
Fifth Grade Worship Hymn Syllabus
In Oblations And In Pray'rs…(Deyva Suthanmar Ayiduvan)
See The Royal Daughter Stand,…(Ninnal Sthuthiyodu)
Thou whose praise the church doth sing…(Bhakthar Pukazhcha)
May Departed Ones Receive…(Maramathinuyare)
Full Redemption Hast Thou Made…(M’ssiha Rajavam Nadhan)
All The World Adoreth Thee’…(Bhuvake Namikkum)
Eighth Grade Worship Hymn Syllabus
(Worship Hymns listed above)
and
By Thy Light We See The Light…(Velivu Niranjoreesho)
By Thy Mother’s Earnest Pray’rs…(Ninne Prasavicha Mathavinteyum)
Those Apostles…For The Faithful Bliss (Bhuvilashesham)
Paul The Blessed…Trusts God’s Truth And Holds It Fast. (Poulose sh’leeho)
Blessed Are Those Servants Good….(Yajamanan Varumanderath)
Come, The Time Of Pray’r Is Here…(Yachikentum Samayamitha).
Tenth and Twelfth Grades Worship Hymn Syllabus
(ALL of the worship hymns in the fifth and eighth grade syllabi)
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Guidelines for Assigned Competitions 2011
1) Each Church should conduct the Assigned Competitions in their respective parishes under the guidance and supervision of the Sunday School Principal.
2) Best 2 pictures and essays in each category should be selected.
3) It will be greatly appreciated if the Principal can scan the pictures and essays and email it to ajutharian@yahoo.com and as a backup also send the hardcopy to Aju Tharian, 20 Hickory St, Dumont, NJ 07628 on or before July 31st 2011.
4) Date to conduct: According to the convenience of the respective Sunday Schools.
Time Limit: 45 minutes.
5) Each Essay or Drawing should have a cover page indicating the student name, Group #, Grade & Parish. If any drawing or essay has the name of the student or any identification mark on it, that one will be disqualified.
6) Essays should be written using Black Ink Pen, Pencil written entries are not accepted.
7) No notes or other materials permitted for reference purpose neither for essay or drawing.
8) This year the children will be grouped in the grade level and not based on their age. Grouping is as follows:
| Group 1 |
Beginner |
Nursery / KG |
| Group 2 |
Primary |
Grade 1, 2, 3 |
| Group 3 |
Junior |
Grade 4, 5, 6 |
| Group 4 |
Intermediate |
Grade 7, 8, 9 |
| Group 5 |
Senior |
Grade 10, 11 and 12 |
Topics for Assigned Competitions 2011
Group 1: BEGINNER - NURSERY/KG (Page Size - A4 or 8 x 11 1/2)
Draw a picture based on the bible story Daniel and the Lions Den. Write one short sentence about this Story.
Group 2 : PRIMARY - GRADE 1,2 3 (Page Size - A4 or 8 x 11 1/2)
Draw a picture depicting the Martyrdom of St. Stephen. Write a short note on St. Stephen.
Group 3 : JUNIOR - GRADE 4,5,6
Write an essay on “Influence of Sunday School in My life”. (Minimum of a Page)
Group 4 : INTERMEDIATE - GRADE 7,8,9
Recent shootings in Arizona is another example of the increased gun violence in America. What is the Christian response to gun violence in our Country?
(1 - 2 Pages)
Group 5: SENIOR - GRADE 10, 11 AND 12
Our Beloved Barnabas Thirumeni is retiring after 18 years of service to American Diocese. Reflect on the life of Barnabas Thirumeni based on your experiences.
(2-3 Pages)
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Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little Lamb,
His fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went,
The Lamb was sure to go.
He followed her to school each day,
T wasn’t even in the rule.
He made the children laugh and play.
To have a Lamb at school
And then the rules as changed one day,
Illegal it became;
To bring the Lamb of God to school.
Or even speak his Name.
Everyday got worse and worse,
And days turned into years,
Instead of hearing children laugh,
We heard gun shots and tears,
What must we do stop the crime
That's in our school today?
Let's let the Lamb comes back to school,
And teach our kids to pray!
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Congratulations! All Sunday School Area level Competitions winners from the North East American region.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Mark 10:14
Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Jesus has a passion that no Child be lost. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Sunday school plays an inevitable part in molding a child's spiritual life. The Sunday school guides our next generation in Orthodox faith and Christian conviction.
The Sunday school in our church, today, there are classes from Pre-K through 12th grade.The Sunday school follows the regular school year calendar and the school year starts in September and ends in June. The classes are conducted every Sunday from 9 AM to 10:30 AM. The Sunday school follows the curriculum approved and published by the Sunday School Association of Indian Orthodox Church. In addition to the prescribed lessons, Bible stories, Christian songs, Bible verses, and other general topics related to church and life are covered in the class.
Other than the regular classes, the Sunday school conducts other activities to develop and promote the talents of the younger generation. Each year Sunday school organizes Vacation Bible School (OVBS) during the summer. Our Sunday school conducts an annual competition every year and the winners participate in regional and diocesional level competitions.
The Sunday school provides the basic infrastructure to guide the next generation of our church in Orthodox faith and in Christian conviction. The grace of All Mighty God, guidance of our vicar, the dedication of our teachers, enthusiasm and commitment of our students, and the cooperation of our parents are the factors that contribute to the success of our Sunday school
Sunday School Headmistress:- Mrs. Sara Varghese