Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' said it is not too early for children to fast and called on parents to be more responsible in their church attendance. RIA Novosti reports this.
After the Christmas liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Patriarch noted that today the responsibility of parents for their children's participation in church life is especially great. He considers arguments that it is too early for children to fast to be unfounded.
“I remember my childhood: we fasted like children,” said the Patriarch. “Everyone grew up healthy, strong and not susceptible to any infectious diseases.”
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized that it is parents who are responsible for the spiritual education of their children. He notes that not only will the children themselves have to answer to God if they grow up as unbelievers, but so will their parents.
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7. The Ministry of National Policy and Interregional Relations in Moscow reported that on Christmas Eve, 534 churches and monasteries were open in the capital and about a million people were able to attend services.
