LessonsLesson 17

Preparing for Lent · Week 17

Apokries

Απόκριες

feast

For younger children (5-6), focus on the vocabulary cards and repetition. For older children (8-10), engage with the discussion questions and encourage them to use the words in sentences.

🙏 Opening Prayer

Read together, slowly.

Κύριε ο Θεός, ευλόγησέ μας.

Kyrie o Theos, evlogise mas.

Lord God, bless us.

📖 This Week's Story

Before Great Lent begins, Greeks celebrate Apokries — Carnival! It's a time of joy, costumes, parades, and delicious food. Kids and adults dress up in costumes and masks. There are parades in many towns. Families eat special treats and have parties. It's a time to celebrate before the quieter weeks of Lent begin. The last day before Lent is called "Kathara Deftera" — Clean Monday. On this day, Greeks fly kites, eat special Lenten foods, and officially begin their Lenten journey. It's a beautiful tradition!

📝 Vocabulary

Γιορτή

Yiorti

Celebration

Apokries is a fun yiorti.

Χορός

Choros

Dance

We choros at the celebration.

Μάσκα

Maska

Mask

Kids wear a maska for Apokries.

🎮 Activity

game

Freeze Dance! Play music and have the kids dance. When the music stops, everyone freezes. Last one to freeze is out. Celebrate the joy before Lent begins!

  1. 1What is your favorite way to celebrate?
  2. 2Why do we celebrate before the quiet time of Lent?

🙏 Closing Prayer

Δόξα σοι, Κύριε. Αμήν.

Doxa si, Kyrie. Amin.

Glory to you, Lord. Amen.

Want your child to learn Greek at home?

Try our K-5 curriculum — interactive lessons from alphabet to reading.

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