50 - The Miracle of Atreeb
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen
Lesson No. ( 50 )
References:
Forty Miracles of the Virgin.
Notes for Servants
i May the Mother of Light be always before our sight with her holiness, and light so that we may learn from her the way to heaven and so that she may help us.
i Put a picture ofthe Mother of light inyour private room ... This in itself reproaches us for our sins as we see her face full of holiness.
i How deep the faith of that priest is. May the Lord grant us the same faith and the same spirit of surrender that was his.
Objectives
General: Honouring St. Mary the Mother of God.
Specific:
The children will be able to
- Learn about the intercession of the saints.
- Express the power of prayers through troubles.
- Know that God answers our prayers through the intercession of the saints.
Bible Verse
" Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. " ( Luke 1:48 )
Teaching Aids
None.
Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the lesson.
Story Time
During the reign of Haroun El-Rasheed, a severe ruler who governed Egypt, he persecuted Christians and destroyed their churches. His assistants went on destroying the churches till they came to the City of Atreeb near Benha. There was a church in that city bearing the Name of the Virgin. It was a big splendid building. Its pillars were made of marble covered with gold and the priest felt that they had come to destroy the church. He went inside the church and prayed with tears. He interceded with the Mother of light,the owner of the church and went out to meet the prince. He showed him the church, the precious things inside it and the Icon of the Virgin. He said to the prince, “Give me three days I’ll bring you a decree from the Caliph that this church should not be destroyed.”
The prince laughed and said, “The Caliph is in Baghdad and there is a long distance between us that takes no less than two months. How did you say that the decree will come after three days? This is not logical.” The priest said, “I am sure and I’ll pay the cost of your stay and the cost of those with you.” He gave him 300 dinars. The prince took the money and said, “This church must be destroyed.” The priest said, “I am sure that the VirginMarycanprevent you from destroying her church and she will defend her church.” The priest knelt before the Icon and prayed. “Save us O Virgin ... Forgive us ... intercede with your Son for us ... help us ... do not allow them to destroy your church.” The Lady Virgin spoke from her Icon saying, “I am the Virgin ... I’ll help you... Do not be afraid of the prince ... his boss will order him not to destroy this church.(Questions)
While the priest was praying, It was night and the Caliph was asleep in Baghdad, the Caliph saw a bright light and he was horrified. He saw the Virgin, the Mother of God and was disturbed He said, “Who are you?” She answered, “I am Mary, the Mother ofJesus whose churches you destroy. How do you sleep in comfort while all the Christians suffer? Repent, otherwise you will suffer unbearable pains.”
The Caliph shook with horror and cried, “I am ready to do what you want, but do not hurt me , PLEASE!” She said to him, “Now write a decree in your own handwriting, stamp it with your seal and send it to your assistants in Atreeb. Give an order that your soldiers should stop destroying the churches and stop attacking the Christians.” The Caliph said to her, “How can this letter arrive in Egypt today? It is impossible by land or by sea!” She said to him, “write the decree and with the help of God it will reach the prince before he wakes up in the early mourning.” The Caliph wrote the letter, “I am the Caliph Haroun Al Rasheed ...Come here soon ... do not destroy the churches of the Christians...” He stamped the letter and wondered what would happen. Behold, a bird with a big beak came and snatched the letter from his hand and flew quickly away. The Virgin at that moment disappeared. After a short time the bird was in Atreeb. He came to where the prince was sitting and threw the letter to hem and flew away.
The prince opened the letter and was surprised. He sent for the priest and he asked him, “Tell me, what have you done?” The priest said joyfully, “the Mother of Light did everything for us.”
Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.
Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.
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