THE PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

 

 

ABOUT THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

by Sub-deacon Liviu Constantinescu, Director         

 

Dear parents and grand-parents,

 

            A great preoccupation of our church is the care for the religious education of the youth of our community, and its participation at the Sunday’s religious services of the church. In this respect, we have built a nice intimate holy Chapel, where Sunday English Services are held regularly between 10:00-11:00 am, the children are offered a Sunday brunch afterwards, and Classroom sessions are held between 11:30 am through 12:30 pm, in all three nicely decorated, repainted and newly recarpeted Sunday School rooms of the church.

            Neither the clergy, however, nor the Sunday School Teachers by themselves, and/or in cooperation with the Church’s clergy, could alone fulfill this vocation of the church. It is therefore absolutely imperative the cooperation of all the parents and grandparents, who have children of age 4 and older, to enroll them and bring them to the Sunday School, on a regular basis, and make sure that they are on time.

            This year, the official beginning of the Catechetical School Year was: SUNDAY, October 8, 2000.

 

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WHY services (in English) & the Sunday catechetical school

 

Why English Services?

Sub-deacon Bill Clark, Young-Adults/ Coordinator

 

As  Romanian Americans of Orthodox Faith, we have the duty to do our part to continue the Orthodox Mission, initiated by the Russian Orthodox Church in North America (since 1794) more than 200 years ago. 

From the history of the Orthodox Christianity, we all know of the great and holy work started by our beloved Saint Herman of Alaska, followed by the vast unbelievable work completed by St.Innocent, which could easily fill several books.

We do recall that in late 1898 to 1905, the future Patriarch of Moscow, St. Tikhon, coming to America, along with Bishop Raphael (+1915), united many ethnic Orthodox people, healed divisions, built Churches, and instructed that English be used in America.

Through his vision from God, St. Tikhon stated that throughout Orthodox Missions, through the ages, the Church was able to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the language of the people, which is used for each Country accordingly. In the spirit and prophetic vision of Saint Tikhon, we must press forward, using English in our services, or run the risk of becoming ethnic clubs forever in America.

The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Southern California (“HTOCSC - The Chapel ”), conducts its services in the “Orthodox English Chapel”, built in the former chancery (parish offices) of the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, located at: 3315 Verdugo Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065.

 The Sunday Catechetical School, as well as the “HTOCSC/The Chapel“ Services are held entirely in the English Language.

All people of ORTHODOX FAITH are wholeheartedly welcome to attend.

 

Serving Clergy:

HTOCSC”  (The Chapel) services are held by all the clergy of the  Holy Trinity Church:

 

·         V. Rev.  Father Constantin Alecse, Sr. Rector

·         Rev. Father Minas Sarchizian, associate (adults)

·         Rev. Father Virgil Anton, associate (youth)

·         William John (Bill) Clark, Sub-deacon/cantor

·         Youth Ministry & overall out-reach: 

Sub-deacon Liviu G. Constantinescu.

·         Young Adults Retreats and services coordinator: Sub-deacon William John (Bill) Clark.

 

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WHY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION?

 

"Let the children come to Me…!” Jesus said  (Mark X, 14)

 

·         Our Church School will offer this year a well established Religious Educational Program. We need everybody’s help however. The parish council already spent some $ 800 on books and other religious materials.

·         The young adults, the L.A.R.O.Y. members (Los Angeles Romanian American Orthodox Youth Organization) will be provided with the knowledge of the Church through worship, study and share, which is the motto of the A.R.O.Y. National Organization. The materials contain only “Orthodox” teachings, choosen adequately for each level, according to the Today’s Society challenges.

Rev. Father Virgil Anton, Spiritual Advisor, Sub-deacon Liviu Constantinescu, director of studies, and Sub-deacon Liviu G. Constantinescu have in their care over some 100 video-cassettes, on Religious subjects (for all the age groups), to help the youth learn - through the visual means: 

·         the Religious Teachings of the Church (Bible Study, Holy Tradition, the Lives of Saints, Church History, on Prayers, the Sacraments of the Church, the Worship and Liturgy, Church Iconography, the meaning of the priest’s vestments, Fasting Days and Confession, etc.), as well as exposure to questions and answers regarding:

·         Contemporary-Ethical issues: young and adult relationships, dating and marriage, abortion, Christian teachings regarding the wars, drugs and smoke abuse, alcoholism, depression, suicide, atheism, divorce, disfunctional families, crime, violence, gangs, AIDS, occultism & satanism, sexuality and homosexuality, etc. We are sure that the parents, and grand-parents have “no time”, nor the expertise (necessary materials) to discuss these matters with their youth, and the only institution, besides the school which your children attend, is the Sunday School of the Church. We are here to help you. Let’s make it clear: We are not the “baby-sitters” however. Your involvement is absolutely necessary and appreciated.

 

Sub-deacon Liviu Constantinescu, Director                           Sub-deacon Bill Clark, Young-Adults Coordinator

 

 

 

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