Theological Foundations

In Orthodox Christianity, spiritual development starts from early childhood. The Philokalia, Vol. 1 (London & Boston: Faber and Faber, 1979, p. 279), states that “the spiritual faculty—the nous—of the baptized infant knows God through immediate experience.”

Through the sacrament of baptism, children become full members of the Church and participate in its sacramental life. At baptism they “put on Christ,” receive the gift of the seal of the Holy Spirit, and receive Holy Communion for the first time.

Therefore, unlike other denominations that use the term "atrium" for their classrooms—a space historically intended for instructing Catechumens awaiting church membership—we refer to ours as the Children's Room (in the House of God). This is because our baptized children are already full church members.