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Church School students receive Confession for the First Time

At St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Oberlin-Steelton, there was great anticipation on the eve of Lazarus Saturday as the Great Lent was brought to a formal close. It is also on this special occasion that our children reach the age when they learn, in more concrete ways, the meaning of repentance and the joyful sorrow of our Lenten journey. Under the supportive guidance of their Church School teacher, Andrea Gunther, eight students had been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Holy Confession for the first time. The students David Christ, Anastasija Gligorevic, Dejana Krstic, Anastasia Mitrovic, Stefan Nikolic, Stefan Stojanovic, Zeljana Turnatas, and Sara Turantas had a final orientation with the Very Reverend Stavrofor Srboljub Jockovich before meeting individually with him to make their first confession. The children listened to Fr. Srboljub discuss the importance of repentance through the parables of Zaccheus, the Tax Collector, the Publican and the Pharisee and the Prodigal Son.

The prospects of a special Lazarus Saturday were evident as soon as we gathered for the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. We celebrated Christs bold promise of the heavenly kingdom when He raised his friend, Lazarus, from the tomb. In place of the Thrice-Holy Hymn, we sang the special baptismal hymn, As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ! remembering this Liturgy as one in which Christians historically were baptized.

With Fr. Srboljub and con-celebrant Fr. Patrick Burns, priest of Holy Annunciation Macedonian-Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Steelton, leading the way, the altar servers, Church School teachers and students, the stewards of the Church and their extended families and friends made the traditional procession around the church. The excitement was palpable as they sang, Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! and rang small bells tied to the pussy willow and palm branches --all emblematic of the crowds that greeted Christ upon His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and of His victory over death. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, everyone moved to the Church social hall where the Mothers Club hosted a time of fellowship.

The following day, Palm Sunday, Fr. Srboljub presented the Church School children who made their 1st Holy Confession with a beautiful triptych icon in recognition of this important step in the life of an Orthodox Christian. The children, their families and kumovi and all the stewards of St. Nicholas Church were now prepared to move forward to the inevitable sorrow of Christs Passion and the resounding glory of His resurrection. Through the Great Lent we have grown in His Spirit and by His Grace and are now ready to follow Him to His promised Kingdom.