On Thursday, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia addressed the importance of proper upbringing and education of children during the celebration of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Referencing how the Virgin Mary was raised from an early age by pious widows in the Temple of Jerusalem, the bishop highlighted the significance of nurturing children in alignment with God’s will.
“Children must be educated in the spirit of Christ’s Gospel of love and Christian values through prayer and the personal example of parents living beautifully and performing good deeds,” Bishop Paisie noted. He emphasized that children’s character is shaped not just by words and activities but by the lifestyle and example set by their parents.
“If we truly love our children, we bring them to God’s house early. If not, we leave them in front of the television, smartphones, or other distractions that distance them from God and the Church. Over time, this spiritually and emotionally distorts them so that when they grow up, they will love neither God nor the Church, nor even their parents,” he cautioned.
Quoting Saint John Chrysostom, he urged parents to prioritize instilling piety and spiritual wealth in their children over material gain.
“In today’s society, plagued by selfishness, indifference, and disdain for Christian values, raising children has become an increasingly difficult challenge,” he remarked. The bishop also criticized societal disregard for the Church and traditional family values, which he said often leads to harm for the most vulnerable, particularly children.
Despite lofty promises of safeguarding children’s rights, he lamented ongoing issues like exploitation, abduction, and abuse, which persist under the veil of indifference and material greed.
Bishop Paisie also reflected on the Virgin Mary’s upbringing, describing her time at the Temple as a preparation for her role as the living temple of God’s Word.
“The Church calls us, through the meaning of today’s feast, to prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, so that Christ may be spiritually born within our souls and homes through the grace of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
He concluded with a prayerful exhortation: “May the feast of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple guide us during this Nativity Fast and inspire us to raise and educate children in faith, prayer, and good deeds.”
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Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
