Sample Curriculum for students approaching the age of responsibility and First Confession. 

Note, this may be downloaded and altered to suit the needs of individual parishes. 

The Consistory Office of Religious Education wholeheartedly endorses as textbooks and supplemental materials the books and pamphlets for First Confession put out thus far by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, by the Ukrainian Orthodox League, and by various among the clergy and faithful of the UOCofUSA.  The following is meant to be a way to start up a first confession program.  The textbooks and supplemental books may be purchased from the Consistory Book Store at South Bound Brook New Jersey. 

Christian Education--First Confession Program

First Confession classes begin for all those who are of age as deemed appropriate by the priest and have not yet had instruction. The classes will be approximately 50 minutes held the following Sundays:  October ___, October __, November __, December __, Jan. __ (after Theophany), Feb. __, March __ and as otherwise posted.   Around the time of the Nativity, a required activity will be done by the children:  The children and their parents will go to a nursing home to sing Christmas Carols and brings gifts that we will be making for them as a class.    

Age:  Not all children are ready for first confession at the same age.  It is up to the parents, together with the priest, to decide the best course of action for each child.  However, they also do not want to be delayed much beyond their peers.  Canon law sees 10 years old as being an normative age for first confession and a more full practice of preparatory fasting, etc.   However, as we know, primarily as the result of uniate “first confession” influence, the custom in northern Slav countries is to begin as early as age 7. 7 years old does seem to be too young to begin meaningful confession for many children, and it is for this reason that the canons suggest age 10 (thus 1^st Confession class, if 1 year long should begin at age 9, if 2 years at age 8, if 3 years at age 7).  In most cases in the modern day it is 1 year long.   In any case, it is best to consult your priest on these matters.   It may also be good to do three year peer groups at a time to put it as a basic part of the curriculum for these ages.  However, what is presented here is just one example of what could be done, and may be modified to suit the needs of the parishes.     

Grading:  Students will be graded on tests.  One-third of the final grade will be behavior and half will be based on work done.  Memorization will be a big part of the grade.  This is not a nominal class, but rather one in which we are trying to determine if a child is at the age of accountability and responsibility.  There will be no “pass” or “fail,” but rather 1. “Ready for first Confession” and 2, “extended” to the following year. 

The final determination of the status of each child will be based on the following:

1. 1/3 work completed

2. 1/3 on attendance and behavior

3. 1/3 on completion of three charity projects throughout the year.

If a parent thinks that a child may not be ready it still may benefit the child to sit in.  If it turns out that they are ready by the end of the year, everyone will be pleasantly surprised.  If not, no one needs to be ashamed.  Upon completing the course, assuming that the above requirements have been met, the child will receive an Orthodox Study Bible.  The cost to purchase them is somewhere between $25 and $30.  An exact figure will be provided to the parents. 

Parents are fully expected to assist the children in memorizing basics of faith and to give them a review and practice quiz at home according to the program outlined below.  If these things are not reinforced at home then they will do little good compared to if the parent is involved.  Again, this class is SOLELY about the Orthodox Christian Faith.  There certainly is room for other educational programs for youth in the Church, and if you suggest one it is expected that you also volunteer to help. 

The program will consist of the following:

1.  Class #1  Revealed truth, Scripture, and being Christian

a. The four highest Commandments given by the Lord (The 2 Great Commandments, the New Commandment, and Love your Enemies)

b. The Ten Commandments

2.  Class #2

c.  The 7 Live-giving Virtues

d. The 7 grievous sins

e. The Bible

Homework assignment:  Study the 7 virtues and give an example of how you can practice each of the virtues in your life.  Also, study for quiz next time.  Be able to basically list all of the commandments listed above—the four and the 10.  Also, Father will give the seven virtues and the seven deadly sins.  Be able to define them. 

2. 3^rd Class

2a.  Quiz on the Commandments

2b   Basic Dogma:  God and the Creed

a.      Creed teaches two things:  Doctrine of the Trinity and Doctrine of Incarnation 

b.      Why it is important to understand the Trinity and the Incarnation

c.       The text of the Creed

d.      Review of the Lord’s prayer—praying to God the Father (Include Anaphora)

Homework:  Memorize the Creed.

Other sessions: 

4a.       Quiz on Creed (everyone will say it together as a whole)

b.         Our relationship with God, each other, and the Church.  Revealed Truth

            The Church (also we will discuss the relationship between the Liturgy, Scripture, the Fathers, the Ecumenical Councils, local councils, lives of the Saints, etc.)

5  Class #5:  Festivals and feasts

6.         The Divine Liturgy and the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Sacraments and the other Sacraments and salvation

7.         and talk with Priest about Confession

8.  Final exam!