Children in the Eastern Catholic Church

[ConstantineTG]

In the Latin Rite, kids (below 7) doesn’t have a Sunday obligation. What is the Eastern teaching on such case?

 

[Vico]

CCEO Canon 909

1. A person who has complete the eighteenth year of age is an adult, below this age, a person is a minor.
2. Before the completion of the seventh year a minor is called an infant and is held to be incompetent (non sui compos); with the completion of the seventh year one is presumed to have the use of reason. 3. Whoever habitually lacks the use of reason is held to be incompetent (non sui compos) and is equated with infants.
   CCEO Canon 1490
   Merely ecclesiastical laws bind those baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it, who have sufficient use of reason and, unless the law itself expressly provides otherwise, who have completed their seventh year of age.

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CIC Canon 97§2 A minor who has not completed the seventh year of age is called an infant and is considered incapable of personal responsibility; on completion of the seventh year, however, the minor is presumed to have the use of reason.
Can. 99 Whoever habitually lacks the use of reason is considered as incapable of personal responsibility and is regarded as an infant.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Thanks Vico, but I’m not interested in legalism. I want theological stuff.

 

[Vico]

Thanks Vico, but I’m not interested in legalism. I want theological stuff.

OK, I though you did since using the word obligation.

The lawless concept is that children are nutured with the Holy Spirit from baptism on, continuously, although sinless. The practice I observe every holy day is infant communion. I believe this is normal.

 

[ConstantineTG]

OK, I though you did since using the word obligation.

The lawless concept is that children are nutured with the Holy Spirit from baptism on, continuously, although sinless. The practice I observe every holy day is infant communion. I believe this is normal.

My apologies. I was thinking more of having children in church. I guess I was sleepy last night I did not elaborate as much.

Basically in the Latin Rite, parents opt not to sometimes bring kids to Mass since they are not obligated to be there anyway. I was wondering, from an Eastern perspective, what are the theological reasons to have kids in Divine Liturgy. Of course they can receive the Eucharist, but are there other any deep theological reasons?

 

[Vico]

My apologies. I was thinking more of having children in church. I guess I was sleepy last night I did not elaborate as much.

Basically in the Latin Rite, parents opt not to sometimes bring kids to Mass since they are not obligated to be there anyway. I was wondering, from an Eastern perspective, what are the theological reasons to have kids in Divine Liturgy. Of course they can receive the Eucharist, but are there other any deep theological reasons?

No need to apoligize, and I’ve done the same thing many times, especially at late hours.

There are theological reasons for infant participation. The first is the nuturing of the Holy Spirit. We know, even from the Latin Church that infants are not lacking in charity towards God, lacking full developmement of reason, so they do not seriously sin. Yet, it is possible for all to sin in a less serious way (what the Latin Church calls venial sin) is it not? (I have sinned without number.) Whenever we receive the Holy Mysteries we are strengthened, nutured. Especially in the eastern Churches where initiation is completed in infancy, we are fully part of the Church communion at that time. In those churches where Chrismation or Confirmation is delayed until age of 7, initiation has not yet been completed.

The sensations of the chanting, incense, accompanying the family at Church, and in receiving the Holy Eucharist, all make an impression on the little ones. I have memories of being in Church, well before age 7. I believe these reinforce the bond to the Christian communion.

 

[5Loaves]

I was wondering, from an Eastern perspective, what are the theological reasons to have kids in Divine Liturgy. Of course they can receive the Eucharist, but are there other any deep theological reasons?

As I have often heard our EC and Orthodox clergy say “Liturgy IS catechesis.” I was so aware of this tonight as a young toddler was held up and kissed the holy icons, and later when we did prostrations so did she.

 

[ConstantineTG]

As I have often heard our EC and Orthodox clergy say “Liturgy IS catechesis.” I was so aware of this tonight as a young toddler was held up and kissed the holy icons, and later when we did prostrations so did she.

My toddler knows how to and loves to kiss the icons on the tetrapod. Sometimes at the wrong time, he ran up to the tetrapod in the middle of Homily saying, “kiss! kiss!”

Its a bit tiring trying to keep up with the little dynamo during Liturgy. My wife particularly because he doesn’t want to be soothe or calmed down by anyone else but mommy. So she’s seriously considering leaving him at home and we go to separate Liturgies/Mass (so one can stay at home with him). I don’t want to, but I also understand my wife’s predicament. I have been more than willing to pitch in, but my son just cries non-stop if he lost sight of mommy and its just me with him at the back.