Adriana, 10 says “I come to church to be closer to God”

ROMANIA- Beyond the dusty and unpaved village roads shaded by plum trees, near houses with large yards and broken fences where poultry dig through the mud, the calcimine-painted walls of the church whiten the end of Cosereni village in Ialomita County, Romania. Here, St. Dimitrie Parish stands quiet and lonely.

Beyond the dusty and unpaved village roads shaded by plum trees, near houses with large yards and broken fences where poultry dig through the mud, the calcimine-painted walls of the church whiten the end of Cosereni village in Ialomita County, Romania. Here, St. Dimitrie Parish stands quiet and lonely.Yet inside, it’s a very different place. The saints on the elongated fresco on the wall watch over the crowd of children as they say in one voice the holy prayer “Our father who art in heaven”. Light filters through gaps in the windows, casting an unearthly glow on the nearby mural painting. Dozens of children are here not because they had to attend church with their parents, but because they want to meet with the local priest and learn more about the Christian faith.

"I come to church to be closer to God," shares ten-year-old Adriana, a beautiful smiling girl with chubby cheeks and work-hardened hands.

"I love children, I want to learn as much as I can and, when I grow up, with God’s help, I want to become a teacher. I want to be a role model,” she adds.

Adriana is one of 150 children from Cosereni village that are part of the World Vision-supported project ‘Renewed traditions in the child's soul’, which is a continuation of the former ‘Christ shared with the children’ project. Both projects strive to ensure children across Romania–a pre-dominantly Orthodox Christian nation–experience the love of God and their neighbours.

Here in Cosereni, where there are no playgrounds, no recreational facilities and only one Children’s Club still in the set-up stage, the ‘Catechetical Centre’ within the St. Dimitrie Parish is a very special place for children, especially those who are from poor families.

I love children, I want to learn as much as I can and, when I grow up, with God’s help, I want to become a teacher

“In this small parish of 340 families, we have many children and their parents are poor. Around 150 children attend the catechesis center regularly. They are the future. It is a great joy to see children being educated for life. Many children come from poor families and have no material possibilities.

Some families have four to five children and they can’t afford to buy them new books. It is a tremendous joy for me when these children come to church to learn about God and to read stories from our small library," says Father Ivan.

"We come to church every Sunday, for the catechesis and also for the important holidays. Here, we sing in the choir, we say the Orthodox Creed and we pray to God," says Adriana, adding, "We also participated in painting classes, religious theatre plays, educational seminars on health issues, and traditional dances but what I like the most is the reading class.”

The Catechesis Center had modest beginnings. Initially the activities were held with few resources but with a strong commitment and respect for all the children. Step by step, with the help of World Vision, tables, chairs and materials necessary to carry out the activities were purchased. The educational programme included both biblical and liturgical themes but also dialogues with young learners on practical and every-day topics such as participation in divine services, the Romanian traditions for the birth of Jesus and Easter celebration, the child’s place in the family, in school, in society and in church, the advantages and the disadvantages of television and Internet use and harmony with others and nature, etc.

Father Ivan explains that the centre runs many activities for children aged four to 17, after the holy service for two hours each Sunday. The first part of the lesson is dedicated to talking about God and the second part to activities such as painting icons and reading both religious books and regular books needed for school. And with the support of volunteers, Father Ivan organises outdoor games, theatre plays, English tutoring lessons, songs, icon exhibitions and caroling groups.

"Since the Catechesis Centre opened, the children have changed a lot: they are more obedient, they want to eat healthier, they are more friendly with one another and they are giving up watching TV in favour of reading books. As parents, we are glad that this place exists because the church is a place where children are safe and they learn only good things. We never hesitate to bring our children here. While it is difficult to reach the church because we live on the other side of the village, the time spent here is very precious for our children," says Mrs. Crangasu, the mother of one of the children that attends the centre.

"Adriana is a special child who deserves to be heard..."

Adriana, in particular, has won the hearts of many at the centre and sometimes it is the children that are doing the teaching.

“Adriana is a special child who deserves to be heard. Many of us, when we are faced with great difficulties, we fall into despair and we think that everything is lost, that God has turned His face from us. Adriana, a ‘grownup child’ as we call her, is living proof that, no matter how big the difficulties, faith and prayer can get us through,” says Stefania, a former teacher who volunteers at the center.

Adriana’s story is very similar to that of other poor children from rural areas. Her mother is paralysed and she does not work. Her father does not work either. Adriana’s older sister graduated high school and she is trying to earn money to continue her studies. Despite all these difficulties, Adriana is one of the top five students in her class and she frequently expresses her desire to read and learn as much as she can.

"I like to read very much. God left me to read, to play, and help with the household chores. Other children are more disobedient, they don’t like to read, and they make noise during the school classes. All the books that I have at home are from church. I can’t afford to buy books because my parents have no money, except for everyday living. Also, World Vision helped me a lot with the schools supplies, many toys and beautiful clothes," shares Adriana.

Stepping out of the church with a feeling of serenity, several children are gathered under its eaves, waiting with great cheerfulness for the priest to give them permission to play...