It was one of those evenings when Jesus, after a tiring day when he had preached to the people and had discussed with the Pharisees and his apprentices, he went on preaching in their midst. Then, some mothers wanted to bring their children to Him, so He may bless them. However, the apprentices didn’t wanted to trouble the peace of the Lord so they did not allowed them to come near Him. Then, Jesus said these soothing words “Suffer the little children to come unto me” (Luke18:16). This is precisely the greatest duty of Christian parents: to guide their children to Jesus the Saviour.

You will wonder, of course, how can we do it, since Christ is no longer preaching among us, but He has ascended to Heaven? Fulfilling this divine mission is possible by bringing the children to church, where they get in contact with the orthodox teaching and the Holy Mysteries, where they learn to love Christ and to follow His teachings. The road that leads to Christ is based on the Christian orthodox education.

About Jesus in His infancy, when He was twelve years old, we find out He went with His parents to worship at the Jerusalem temple and that he was obedient. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).This is the model that any child should follow. This is what they need to copy.

(Translation from: Irineu - Episcop de Ecaterinburg şi Irbitk, Mamă, ai grijă! Călăuziri pentru creşterea şi educarea ortodoxă a copiilor, Editura Bunavestire, Bacău, 2001, p. 44)