ST. PHILOPATEER MERCURIUS (“Abu-Saifain”The Saint with 2 swords)

2010December - wk 1(Grade 2)

  • Born in Rome to good Christian parents
  • "Philopateer" comes from Greek “Philo”=Lover, “Pateer”= Father, “Lover of the Father”
  • Joined the army when was a young man, and fought very bravely
  • Army officers loved him, called him Mercurius
  • Emperor was a pagan worshiper, but loved St. Mercurius very much
  • At a battle, Emperorwas afraid to fight his enemy, but St. Mercurius reassured him: "Do not be afraid, because God will destroy our enemies and will bring us victory"
  • An angel appeared like a man, dressed in white, gave St. Mercurius a sword saying: "When you overcome your enemies, remember the Lord your God"
  • He fought bravely with 2 swords, 1 military sword 1 from the angel withGod’s power
  • When St. Mercurius defeated his enemies, the angel appeared to remind him to remember the Lord his God
  • Emperor & his soldiers wanted to offer up incense the idols but St. Mercurius refused; the Emperor was very angry
  • Saint said to the Emperor:"I do not worship anyone except my Lord and my God Jesus Christ"
  • Emperor ordered the Saint to be beaten and imprisoned and was martyred

Verse of lesson

“He who overcomes shall be clothed with white garments” Revelation 3:5

Discussions

  • Why was St. Mercurius so brave & able to defeat his enemies?
  • BecauseGod strengthened him, and sent an angel to give him a sword
  • Can we also have this sword?
  • Yes, by calling on God and asking for His help
  • Sword of God does not mean a physical weapon, but the power & strength of God that can defeat all enemies
  • Most powerful sword to defeat our enemy is PRAYER

This Week

  • Pray oftentoreceive God’s strength – remember to check your Spiritual Note Books every night

LITURGY(SPIRITUAL SERIES)

  • How did God planSAVE us? He comes to us 2 times: FIRST coming & SECOND coming.
  • FIRST coming has 4 STAGES:

1) Incarnation – becoming man

2)Crucifixion – died on the cross

3) Resurrection – rose from the dead after 3 days

4) Ascension – went to heaven

  • SECOND coming

He will come to judge and reward, and to take us home to heaven with Him

  • We relive (remember) His FIRST coming in the Liturgy, and look forward to His SECOND coming by:
  • Communion – receiving the Body & Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

ST. PHILOPATEER MERCURIUS (“Abu-Saifain” The Saint with 2 swords)

2010 December - wk 1(Grade 2)

LESSON REVIEW

Fill in the blanks & circle the correct answers below:

1)An ______appeared to St. Mercurius to give him a ______

2)Why was St. Mercurius so brave?

* He was proud that he could defeat the enemies by himself

* He trusted in God and was strengthened by God

3)What is the meaning of the SWORD of God?

* Strength and power from God to help us fight our enemies

* We don’t have to be nice to others

4)The most powerful SWORD from God to defeat our enemy is ______

5)Matchcorrectly the left side to the right side the following:

4 stages of SALVATION – theFIRSTcoming

1Resurrection – rose from the dead after 3 days

2Incarnation – becoming man (born as baby in manger)

3Ascension – went to heaven

4Crucifixion – died on the cross

6)Our Lord will come again the SECOND time to JUDGE & REWARD us

* TRUE* FALSE