Orthodox Syrian Sunday school Association of the East – UK-Europe and Africa

The Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East – UK-Europe and Africa (OSSAE-UEA) is a spiritual organization functioning within the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa. OSSAE-UEA is geographically included in the Overseas Region of OSSAE and is directly affiliated to Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East (OSSAE). It’s objective is to nurture children to gain fundamental knowledge of the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition as well as Biblical knowledge for their spiritual growth. Sunday School teachers play a pivotal role in meeting the objectives of the OSSAE not only from a traditional perspective but also from a holistic point of view to help children to understand the Christian way of knowing the world and its creator in order to lead a successful life.

OSSAE-UK has taken various steps to co-ordinate Sunday School activities in United Kingdom since its inception on 24th August 2012, and it has adopted and implemented the most suitable centralized programme for the region in affiliation with OSSAE. OSSAE-UK has developed the curriculum and co-curricular programmes with the objective to meet the standard of its umbrella organization, the OSSAE. Some pertinent modifications with regards to the Sunday school syllabus have been made within the regional context in consultation and later gaining necessary approval from the OSSAE. This was needed to overcome certain challenges and to encourage active participation and also offer an enjoyable Sunday school learning experience for the Sunday school children living in UK.

Sunday Schools in Ireland started working along with OSSAE-UK in 2017 and the organization started to be called OSSAE-UK & Ireland. Similarly, Sunday schools from Europe and Africa started engaging in the common Sunday school activities from 2020 and renamed the organization to OSSAE – UK-Europe & Africa [OSSAE-UEA]. Altogether, there are more than 40 units which serves around 1500 students with the help of approximately 375 teachers.

OSSAE-UEA follows OSSAE Central curriculum and from 2016 all classes have the revised text books in English. The classes which range from Preparatory to 12th are divided into five main categories:

• I. Bethlehem (Preparatory Class)

• II. Nazareth (Classes1-3)

• III. Galilee (Classes 4-7)

• IV. Jerusalem (Classes 8-10)

• V. Tabor (Classes 11 & 12)

The Secondary level education concludes with the 10th class and a certificate is awarded (Veda Padana Certificate) to successful candidates. Higher Secondary course (Classes 11 and 12) continue for another two years which awards Veda Praveen Diploma on successful completion.

H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos, the Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa is the President of OSSAE-UK. First Vice President, Rev. Fr. Varghese Mathew, previous Directors Mr. Thomas Varghese and Dr. Susil Stephen, previous secretary Mr. Joshi Eapen, and previous Treasurers Mr. Baiju John and Mr. Bijoy George worked under the guidance of the Bishop and have taken outstanding efforts in the initial co-ordination of various Sunday School units across the United Kingdom which enabled to build a strong foundation for OSSAE-UEA.