Faith and Hope Newsletter (From Siberia) #224

Peace to you, dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

     

During the festival of Saint Michael the Archangel and the angels, the confirmation of three children was held in the parish of Saint Andrew in Novosibirsk. Children received their first Holy Communion.

  

After the service Bishop Vsevolod Lytkin said to “Faith and hope”, This is very important that our children from the very early age partake of that grace which the Lord gives to His Church. Because we -- adults -- we want our children to grow up as Christians. So we have to bring them as soon as possible to the Eucharist -- the most important graceful sacrament of the Church. And, of course, we must teach our children in the faith before the confirmation and after it. Because we gave ​​a promise to do this when our children were baptized. The Lord gave us our kids that we rear them as Christians.  We -- adults -- we have full responsibility for our children, not only for their earthly life, but for their eternal life.

  

In his sermon during the Divine service Pastor Alexey Streltsov said, It was especially pertinent to conduct confirmation of children on this day of St Michael the Archangel and the Angels, since the Lord speaks about “these little ones” in the Gospel of Matthew [The Gospel reading was: Matthew. 18: 1-6, 10-11]. You heard today in the same Gospel reading that "their angles in the heavens always see the face of My Father in heaven.” These words serve as a basis for understanding that every child has his own guardian angel. And this is the better fulfillment of the Lord's words, that we “do not look down on these little ones.”  Therefore, we admit these little ones to the Lord's altar to which they can come now in order to eat His Body and drink His Blood for the forgiveness of their sins. This is a truly joyful event.

  

Please pray for the Siberian Lutheran adults and children.

   

“Faith and Hope”

Please see attached photos.