Children in the Church Today: An Orthodox Perspective

by Magdalen

These reflections from "Children in the Church" are based on a series of informal talks given to Orthodox Christian parents at the Monastery of St John the Baptist, Essex, England. In essence, they encompass many aspects of Christian marriage and the Christian family, prayer in the Christian home, the example of Christian parents, the Christian education of children, liturgical and spiritual life, leisure time and social life, and Christian life in the teen years. Sister Magdalen's major emphasis is that "if children are conceived, born, and brought up surrounded by prayer and love, they will grow up as spiritual persons and thus fulfill their human vocation".

Genres: Parenting

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[John Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across a quote from this book and it resonated so so much with me. A Google search of this quote led me to a blog where someone transcribed the entire first chapter of the book and posted it. This also resonated so so much with me, and I decided to order the book and I read it entirely in one sitting.

I am not a parent or married or engaged or even courting, and I still benefitted immensely.

Any Christian can benefit from this book, especially Orthodox. And if you are a parent who already has grown up children, do not fret. Taken from the Epilogue:

"
Perhaps someone feels sad because he did not know, or did not practice, what has been recommended, and now his children are grown up and it is "too late." We should remember that God knows us as we are. We begin from where we are, and we turn to Him with all our hopes and all our pain. As St. Herman of Alaska said: "Let us from this day, from this hour, from this minute, love God above all, and fulfill His holy will."
"

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Magdalen’s words are full of love and grace. She covers the spiritual task of the parent thoroughly—extending support in areas of the marriage, the home, education, liturgical life, social life and leisure, as well as the tough teenage years. This work was an encouragement to me as a wife, a God mother, and a foster momma, but also just as a Christian working out my own salvation.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. So much good to take from it, while also being practical in the delivery. I will definitely read this again down the road.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little read. I had to sift through the Orthodox theology, being Protestant, but I took several nuggets of wisdom from it.

[Lauren Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very practical yet deeply insightful guide for Orthodox parents. An easy, fairly fast read and one I will be coming back to time and time. Lots of notes and dog eared pages!

Sister Magdalen’s writing is gentle and comes from a place of love and compassion. She very clearly is wanting the parent to lead and love their children towards the teachings of the Orthodox Church. By no means did this book make me feel bad, rather led me to deeper knowledge and truth.

[Vasilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely practical and very understanding. It’s often difficult to find writers who take children’s issues seriously instead of dismissing them - this is natural for a lot of adults and especially me! Sister Magdalen is far more understanding and compassionate, and worth mentioning twice: very practical. Will return to this again and again.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good points, succinctly delivered. I had to deduct a star for the silly bits about the dangers of rock and roll, though.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book that I enjoyed. It is written by a nun in England, I believe. She lives at a monastery, of course, and encounters many children and families in her work. The book seems to be primarily about ensuring a love for the Church in children and raising them in such a way that they are not driven away from it. Thus, she has a lot of advice about being moderate - about not forcing children to go to too many services or taking too many things from them. She is quite realistic in her view of the pressures on children in society and their temptations. Hers is a very loving view, far from judgmental, and the book provides a nice lens through which a parent can look at family life and Church life for the benefit of the child. Above all, she stresses that the work of the parents is to *pray*. She emphasizes this repeatedly, and almost as often emphasizes that the best that parents can do is be a model and right example for children. It does no good at all to say one thing and show a hypocritical action. She thus stresses: moderation, prayer, modeling.

[Kakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! Far from parenting tricks or techniques: love more and pray more. Again and again she emphasizes that. Great little book, must-read from every person who comes in contact with kids/teens, i.e. not only parents.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical guide for how to raise Christian kids without sheltering them from the real world and without dissuading them from the faith. Short chapters, great reference book, surprisingly timeless. Will remain on my shelf.

[Courtney Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be in my top 3 parenting books outright, and my number one Orthodox Parenting book. It's just plain practical and wise and modern and comforting. I may throw it in every baby shower gift from here on out.

[Stefanie Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous! We did this as a bible study with our priest at our mums group and it was very insightful!

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended reading for all Orthodox Christian parents. Very well balanced and insightful.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every Christian parent should read