On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the catechetical missionary program “Children’s Liturgy” took place for the sixth consecutive year at St. John Cassian and St. Andrew Saguna Parish in San Antonio, TX. This pastoral project was initiated by Fr. Valentin D Ilies during the 2019 Great Lent, out of the desire to share the joy of the Orthodox faith with the little ones and out of the need to familiarize children and adolescents with the spiritual life specific to the Orthodox Church.
The event, which has already become a tradition, takes place throughout the entire day of the second Saturday of Great Lent and Christmas Lent, offering children a profound experience of communion and spiritual learning.
Event Development
The program began in the morning at 10:00, with the celebration of the Proskomedia Order in the center of the church. The priest, surrounded by all the participants, explained and showed each stage of the preparation of the Precious Gifts, thus giving the children the opportunity to see this liturgical order up close. Also, each child had the opportunity to remember their family and see how the particles are placed for the living and the deceased. This applied catechesis was a special learning opportunity, the children becoming more receptive to the order of the services and transmitting further to their families the importance of participating in the Divine Liturgy from its beginning.
During the Divine Liturgy, the children and young people sang and gave the responses at the pew, being guided by Mrs. Cristina, the priest-wife, and volunteers from the parish school. This active involvement helped the children to feel more deeply the beauty of the service and to draw closer to God with their hearts.
Moments of communion and spiritual formation
After the communion during the Divine Liturgy, all participants enjoyed the meal of love, a lunch prepared with love by several volunteer mothers. This meal represented a moment of communion, in which the children had the opportunity to interact and strengthen the fraternal bonds between them.
After lunch, those present watched together the film “The Man of God”, which presents the life of Saint Nectarios, a great healer and protector of those in suffering. At the end of the screening, the children and young people discussed and meditated on the teachings gleaned from this film, better understanding the virtues of holiness and the power of faith.
Interactive Activities and the Sacrament of Confession
After the film reflection session, the excitement continued with a chess championship, a competition eagerly awaited by all participants. The strategic game was an opportunity to develop logical thinking, patience and the spirit of fair-play competition. At the end of the competition, all participants were rewarded, and those who obtained 1st, 2nd and 3rd places received congratulatory diplomas and prizes for their effort and involvement. In addition to the chess competition, many other interactive and team activities were held that created for the participants the joy of being together and especially of being members of the extended family of the Church of Christ.
A particularly important moment of the day was the Sacrament of Confession, in which all participants took turns taking part. Each child and young person had the opportunity to talk to the priest, to open their hearts and express their concerns and curiosities related to spiritual life. This moment was one of great spiritual charge, bringing peace and light to the souls of those present.
Thanks and gratitude
We give glory to God for the gift of communion and of encountering the present of our community! We thank from the bottom of our hearts all the parents, children and volunteers who were involved with dedication in organizing this blessed event. The “Children's Liturgy” remains a living testimony to the fact that, through education, prayer and involvement, our children grow in the light of the Orthodox faith and become true messengers of the Gospel in their families and communities.
Fr. Valentin Ilies
