Sunday School
Georgia Ferentinos , Director
We are all creatures of habit, even when it comes to our church behavior, and our children are no different. Our children are taught what actions to perform while in church, but without real understanding for their actions. They rush into church, light a candle, and quickly kiss the icons in front of them. When was the last time any of us, big or small alike, really stopped to examine the icon before us? Who is pictured? Do we know what the icon in front of us depicts? Do we know, other than the fact that we have been told to “Kiss the icon”, why we do that?
Icons are pictures and images depicting the life of Christ and the Saints. These images show the stories of sacrifice and devotion to God, while paving a path towards a good Christian life. It is often said that icons are like windows into heaven, revealing God and what is pleasing to him, while also bringing us closer to Him.
What is so important about Icons is that we don’t worship them; we venerate them, or show respect towards them. Our respect is expressed through lighting a candle and kissing the icon. We sometimes forget that our church can be used as a teaching tool to aid our children on their journey towards a full Orthodox life. Slow your children down while they are in church, explain to them what they are doing, and take a moment to point out the beautiful icons that adorn our church, maybe they can even find their patron saint!
Sunday school will be hosting a Lenten Retreat on Saturday of Lazarus following Divine Liturgy. All our young children can participate in a study of our church’s iconography while tracing Jesus’ journey towards his death and resurrection.