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To: Martin Tell; FormerLib; Kolokotronis

I've put you on my Orthodox ping list, and will ping FormerLib and Kolokotronis, the other main keepers of the list. If you want off, just let me know.

Seeing the Theotokos and John the Baptist at either side of Christ on Orthodox iconostases, and reading the Orthodox interpretation of the Psalm that speaks of "the Queen" being at his right hand -- all of this brings to life just what Christ was talking about when he told the mother of James and John that those places had been prepared for others...

You will have our prayers, but don't worry about your children. The Orthodox Church tends to be very children friendly. We do expect our children to learn to be attentive over time, but we don't expect this to happen all at once! It happens pretty naturally over time.

I find that it helps to position oneself such that

a. the children can see what is going on, and

b. one can easeily slip out with them to give them a break if they get squirmy.

Children tend to find Orthodox worship, with its liturgical movement, incense, etc... fairly engaging.

Keep in mind also that in the early church, catechumens were only in church for the first part of the liturgy. When we were in our exploration and catechumen years, I considered that I had done just fine if I got my little kids through "The doors, the doors..." before needing to leave! I took a lot of walks outside in the sun with my youngest in particular while listening to the sounds of the liturgy coming through the open windows of the church...

Those were sweet days. Now, they're all teenagers, and have feet and wills of iron, and can make it through the rigors of Holy Week without breaking a sweat...


5 posted on 06/24/2005 2:40:26 PM PDT by Agrarian
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To: Agrarian
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE PRECURSOR

Vocation of St. John the Baptist {Nativity] (Catholic Caucus)

The Story of St. John the Baptist - birthday on June 24

Homilies preached by Father Robert Altier on the Solemnity of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist

Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist, June 24

7 posted on 06/24/2007 9:50:04 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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