Religious Education Department

Religious Education Ministries

 Christ the TeacherOrthodox Christianity understands “education” in terms of formation of the whole person. Therefore, Christian education embraces body, mind and spirit. The Cathedral offers a range of educational opportunities which include worship, personal spiritual formation, adult Bible-study, reading of Church history, discussion of contemporary cultural and political questions in light of our Christian faith, Sunday School for all ages of children, youth groups and much more. The director of Education Ministries is Mrs. Irene Cassis. Educational opportunities at the Cathedral include the following:

Sunday Church School: Classes for children 2 years through high school are held in the Polemanakos Building immediately following communion at the 9 am Divine Liturgy. Classes end at 11:30 am. Three adult classes (on different topics) are also offered during this time.

Sign up for Sunday School

Introducing the Orthodox Church—Its Faith and Life is a 10-week, 2 hours- per-week course for those who are seeking to become Orthodox or for Orthodox Christians who would like to know more about their faith. A donation of $55.00 is requested to help cover the cost of books and refreshments. Classes meet Thursdays, 6:30-8 pm, from mid-October through mid-December, with a second session beginning mid-January. Individual instruction is also provided by the priests for catechumens (those intending to be baptized or chrismated into the Orthodox Christian faith), as well as for adults who are inquiring about Orthodoxy. Orthodox Christians do not proselytize; therefore, no one is pressured to join the Church. Instruction is free and books are provided at cost.

Download the Introducing the Orthodox Church Registration Form

Adult Bible Studies meet on Wednesdays, September through May, at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the Polemanakos Building, room 226. Refer to the on-line Sunday Bulletin for exact dates.

SCS Children’s Choir offers an opportunity for children Grades 1 through High School to sing the Divine Liturgy and to learn the beautiful hymns of the Orthodox Church, each Sunday during the 9 am Divine Liturgy.

The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is part of the Sunday Church School program. Each year there is an Elementary Oratorical Festival, and one for middle school and high school students (grades 7-12). Young people are given the opportunity to select one of several topics designated by the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education. Students research, write and present topics relating to their faith and the Church. Students in grades 7-12 compete at the parish level and have the opportunity to continue at the levels of the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.

Vacation Bible School is offered in June of each year. This is a pan-Orthodox program in which all Orthodox congregations are invited to participate the week long program. Adult and teen staff members are provided by Annunciation Cathedral and by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. An invitation is extended to all children of the greater Houston area.

Readers receive training for participation in the sacred services of the Cathedral. Both men and women may participate.

Special Interest Classes and Seminars: The Cathedral offers a variety of seminars and lectures on many topics throughout the year, for adults as well as older youth. Past seminars have included presentations by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center and the International Orthodox Christian Charities.

Tours of the Cathedral: Individuals and groups may request tours of the Cathedral, with accompanying instruction about the architecture and iconography of the Cathedral, Orthodox worship and Church history. The Greek Festival (held annually in October) includes church tours throughout the day each day of the Festival. Large groups (e.g. high-school classes or tour groups) should apply to the Ministries Office well in advance so that the tour group can be placed on the calendar of the Cathedral.

For more information contact: Religious Education Ministries at 713-526-5377 ext. 262
or e-mail: religiouseducation@agoc.org

 

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
3511 Yoakum Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
Office: (713) 526-5377
Fax: (713) 526-1048