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SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Saint Athanasios Sunday School program begins with Preschool (age 3), and continues through senior year of High School, encompassing a vital 15-year journey in partnership with our Parish families. Our aim is to engage both the minds and hearts of our children, providing theological and practical education about our Faith while nurturing a deep love for Christ through teaching and example.

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Our Sunday School program is a vibrant and nurturing community dedicated to the spiritual growth and education of children and youth within the Orthodox Christian tradition. Rooted in the timeless teachings of the Church, our program seeks to instill a deep love for God, His Word, and His Church while equipping students with the knowledge and values to live out their faith in today's world.

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KEY COMPONENTS

CURRICULUM

Engaging lessons rooted in Scripture and Orthodox doctrine


Age-appropriate content for children, teenagers, and young adults 


Emphasis on understanding, application, and relevance to daily life

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COMMUNITY

Engaging lessons rooted in Scripture and Orthodox doctrine


Age-appropriate content for children, teenagers, and young adults 


Emphasis on understanding, application, and relevance to daily life

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TEACHING

Experienced and dedicated instructors passionate about Orthodox Christian education


Small class sizes to facilitate personalized attention and interaction


Ongoing training and support for teachers to enhance their effectiveness

RESOURCES

Access to age-appropriate resources including Bibles and Orthodox Christian literature


Online resources, newsletters, and communication channels for parents and students


Library of multimedia materials, videos, and educational tools for supplemental learning

ACTIVITIES

Interactive learning experiences including crafts, games, and role-playing


Participation in liturgical services, prayer, and sacramental preparation


Opportunities for creative expression through art, music, and drama

ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK

Open communication with parents to address questions, concerns, and feedback


Adaptation of curriculum and teaching methods based on ongoing assessment

Our Sunday School program is more than just a place of learning; it's a community where children and youth can discover, explore, and deepen their faith in a supportive and nurturing environment. Together, we embark on a journey of spiritual growth, guided by the timeless wisdom of Orthodox Christian faith and the love of Christ.

REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL 

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR

Calendar Pages

MEET THE TEACHERS

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High School

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Hi, I’m Voula, and I am currently the Sunday School Director and Youth Director at Saint Athanasios. My connection to our church runs deep—my grandparents were founding members, and my family’s milestones, including my own marriage and my son Ezekiel’s baptism, have all been celebrated here. I have a background in English/Secondary Education from Aurora University, where I also earned an MBA and worked as Associate Director of Freshman Enrollment before teaching at Geneva Middle School. I have always felt called to serve Christ and work with youth, spending years guiding young people in their academic, personal, and spiritual growth, including three years as the high school Sunday School teacher. I’m committed to creating a welcoming environment where our youth can explore their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and navigate the modern world with Christ at the center.

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7th and 8th

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I am a mother of three who stays busy with two in college and one a senior in high school. I have been a Sunday school's teacher for 10+years as well as a teacher at Rush University in Chicago teaching implantable hearing devices to doctoral students and audiologists supervising students in clinics. I love teaching others in all capacities!

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7th and 8th

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I'm very excited to be teaching Sunday school for the first time!  My favorite thing so far is getting to know the friendly little faces in church as it’s also my first year attending St Athanasios. I look forward to guiding the younger generation to love and celebrate the Lord!

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5th and 6th

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Hello everyone! My name is Hadi Finerty. I grew up attending St. Athanasios, where I formed countless cherished memories that have shaped who I am. I’m married to Patrick, a passionate sports lover, and together we’re raising our two energetic sons, Matheos, who is 7, and Alexander, who is 4. I work at the Alzheimer’s Association, a role that is especially meaningful to me because my Yiayia had Alzheimer’s. This personal connection drives my passion for making a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease. In my spare time, I love reading, going for walks, trying out new recipes, and most importantly, spending quality time with my family.

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5th and 6th

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I became an Orthodox Christian over 30 years ago and am proud to be part of such a beautiful faith and Church, having been a member of our parish for more than 15 years. I love learning from my FABULOUS Sunday School students, who always share wonderful thoughts and feelings. I pray daily for wisdom, guidance, and love, especially during difficult times. I’ve been married to my wonderful Greek husband, John, for over 30 years (even longer if you count our college days!). We have two adult sons, Daniel (married to Emilie) and Michael (married to Lauren), and one grandbaby, Sophia, who is the joy of my life! In my free time, I enjoy gardening, knitting, reading, pizza, and supporting Ronald McDonald Charities to help children heal and bring comfort to their families.

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3rd and 4th

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Maria has been teaching Sunday School since 2014.  She and her husband Louie, have been parishioners at St. Athanasios with their boys since 2009.  Maria is grateful to help the Orthodox youth develop a relationship with Christ and their peers.  “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old will not depart from it “ (Proverbs 22:6)

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3rd and 4th

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Michael has been a dedicated member of Saint Athanasios for as long as he can remember, actively participating in various church ministries throughout his life.  This is his first year as a Sunday School teacher, co - teaching alongside his mother Maria.  Michael currently is a college student studying accountancy and finance.

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1st and 2nd

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My name is Evangelia Cucuras and I have been a part of the St. Athanasios parish since moving to Illinois when I was 3 years old. I was involved in Sunday School, JOY, GOYA, Greek School, and the Apollo Dance Troupe, then moving on to college to be on the board of my OCF chapter at Miami University, and now a part of the Chicago YAL as a young adult. This is my third year teaching Sunday School, and it is a blessing to be giving back to the church and parish that gave me so much growing up. I am a pediatric occupational therapist and I enjoy using my creative skills to help teach our remarkable faith and support the children and future of our church.

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1st and 2nd

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After obtaining an Associate’s degree from Moraine Valley Community College, I went on to attend DePaul University, where I majored in Communications with a concentration in Journalism. 

 

I reside in Naperville with my husband Jason and our two kids: daughter Penelope and son Alexander. An avid bibliophile, you can usually find my nose buried in a book. I also enjoy catching up with friends and spending time with my family. Here are a few Bible verses that help guide me in my daily life. 

 

  • “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” Matthew 6:34 

  •  "Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

  • “Faith, it does not make things easy—it makes them possible.” Luke 1:37\

 

I am happy to share my Orthodox faith with my students and I believe each child is a special gift from God!

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Pre-K and Kindergarten

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Hi everyone! My name is Nick Kallas, and I have been a part of St. Athanasios since 2001. I have two boys, John and Max, and I have enjoyed being involved in church festivals, the Men’s Group, and, of course, Sunday School. I started teaching Sunday School in 2013 when my son Max was 5 years old, and his teacher needed help due to a large class size. With no background in education, I relied on my parenting skills, aiming to break down lessons so that 4- and 5-year-olds could understand. My goal is for the students to be able to share one to three key points from our lessons with their parents each week. Since 2022, I have had the pleasure of co-teaching with Natallia, who brings an incredible level of creativity, intelligence, and fun to our class. She is well-liked by all the students.

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Pre-K and Kindergarten

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Hi, my name is Natallia, and this is my third year teaching Sunday school. As a mother of twin daughters, I strongly believe that if we don't talk to our kids about God, we’ll be talking to God about our kids! I hold a teaching degree in English and Linguistics, and I earned a postgraduate diploma in business and information technologies from Dublin Business School in Ireland. My hobbies include sports and cooking, and I am a professional swimmer as well as an American Red Cross CPR/AED certified lifeguard. In addition to Sunday school, I also enjoy teaching children and adults how to swim effortlessly.

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