The atrium is the term for the prepared space for children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. It was the term the ancient church used to refer to the place of preparation for the catechumens, those being prepared in the faith. On the first Sunday of Lent, we talked with the children about the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Additional icons were placed all around the room, and we gathered at the prayer table. Each child was given time to walk around the room and select a favorite icon, and a few children had icons they brought from home. The icons were all placed on and around the prayer table, and each icon and its story was considered. The term "windows into heaven" was introduced in relation to icons, and we joyfully proclaimed together
"This is the faith of the Apostles, this is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith of the Orthodox, this is the faith which has established the Universe!"
2 comments:
Such a lovely Atrium, I so enjoy these little glimpses.
Our tiny parish doesn't have a space dedicated to church school and its difficult to maintain that peacefulness. I'm not teaching this year though and most of our materials are sitting in my closet. This reminds me to pull them out and present them to my two younger ones!
Hi! so good to hear from you - I can imagine how hard it is to not have a dedicated space. There are several catechists I know in Alaska who have worked wonders with rolling shelves and a temporary location though. We have already outgrown our two rooms, and are just waiting until we have some building expansion in the next year or so. We have 3 full sessions right now, next year we will have 4, and probably need 5! we are serving 45 children at this point. So glad to be able to access your blog again, it is a joy to read.
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