The Season of the Cross

September and October feature special commemorations of the holy cross.  Understandably, the feasts of the cross are important to Christians.  The cross is the place where God, who became human to share in and ultimately redeem human suffering and death, was crucified and died. 

It is also the place where He vanquished death through His resurrection, thereby rendering the cross a powerful symbol of eternal life.  The Armenian cross is symbolic of life in these ways:

• the crossbars intersect at a midpoint that signifies the four corners of the world meeting at life's center
• the "empty" Armenian cross (as opposed to the Catholic crucifix bearing the body of Jesus) emphasizes Jesus' victory over death
• the appearance of vines, grapes, and wheat as decorative motifs in the Armenian cross symbolizes the life generated from the cross which was otherwise an instrument of death

Use the following notes to talk to your children about the importance of the cross and three important feast days associated with the cross.  Here are some suggested activities for you to do with your children:

Activities for your children

• Early elementary:  Use glue to decorate the cross form with shells, pasta shapes, buttons, or any other item you can buy in bulk from a craft store.
• Upper elementary:  Tell the story and pause at appropriate words to have students circle them in the Word Search.
• Junior and Senior High:  As you tell the story, have students jot down key words and events.  Ask them to retell the story of each feast.